A twenty-dollar bill in an old pair of jeans. A coveted fashion garment at a clearance sale. A sincere person at a cocktail party.

Today's theme? Finding nice things in unexpected places.

Sisters Molly Barnes and Samantha Loesch have done that at Kings Wine Bar, a cozy, hopping wine bar by night and coffeehouse by day in the King Field neighborhood.

The gooey gruyere, fresh mozzarella and Wisconsin cheddar grilled cheese is just what the cold weather ordered, especially with a cup of tomato basil soup and tater tots with gruyere and bacon dipping sauce.

Thank chef Pete Maccaroni, whose last name makes the "Pete's Maccaroni and Cheese" seem like an obvious must-order. For dessert, apple crisp or bananas foster will warm you up the rest of the way.

And there's really nothing more satisfying than that.

Kings Wine Bar, 4555 Grand Av., Mpls., 612-354-7928.

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