I can't wait to see the finished product! It sounds like you're in a very exciting phase of life right now. I went through a similar transition at age 46 and I can't imagine now what life would be like if I hadn't gone through with it. I wish you all the best with it.
Yes, we're still in the Cities. It'd be great to share a meal there sometime! I'll be traveling on and off through the end of this month but will be in town all of December.
We found another great restaurant on the U of M campus called Tea House Restaurant. I want to go back there and try everything on the menu.