Is the Twin Cities restaurant scene in crisis?

Some recent, big-name restaurant closures in Minneapolis have fueled concerns about the health of the Twin Cities dining scene.

But is the perception that times are tough actually the reality? Or have the headlines about restaurant closures exaggerated the normal cycle of businesses coming and going?

Near the corner of West 46th Street and Grand Avenue South in south Minneapolis, there's a tiny spot serving some hefty sandwiches with a heaping side of nostalgia.

"The biggest problem with this sandwich is how do we wrap them," owner Pedro Wolcott said with glee.

He is the brains and chef behind North Star Deli, a new grab-and-go restaurant that doubles as a shrine to the Minnesota North Stars, complete with chairs used at the Met Center. There's memorabilia adorning the walls not ju