White Bear Lake, MN  – the new restaurant. The Black Sea, opened quietly in South White Bear Lake on the northeast corner of County Road E and Highway 61 just over two weeks ago.

The husband and wife team of Tolga and Cigdem Ata picked White Bear Lake for their second restaurant location. The first location is near Hamline University in St Paul. Gracious Cigdem, which is Turkish for Crocus, showed my husband and me to a table in the clean, freshly remodeled and casual cafe, where we had dinner on Wednesday night. The Turkish version of gyro sandwiches, called “doner” was our choice, along with a Turkish salad, iced tea, and a fine slice of baklava for dessert.

The Black Sea may have opened quietly, but I’m not keeping it quiet. For a reasonably priced lunch or dinner, take-out or sit-down, look for the new signs near Hoffman’s Corner pointing out the restaurant. Turn your wheel, be it bicycle or car, to this new sweet spot in town.