Co-owners and husband-and-wife chef team Sean and Nicole Kim bring Michelin-star restaurant experience to this contemporary takeout-only concept at The Hill Food Co.

The dinner-only menu is inspired by Sean Kim’s Korean heritage and upbringing, with a selection of made-from-scratch bibimbap (mixed rice bowls) forming the core of the menu. The K-BBQ bowl shows off tender chargrilled bulgogi alongside a rainbow of fresh, crunchy vegetables including carrots, jalapeño, salad greens, kimchi and pickled radish, topped with a gooey fried egg, green onion and honey gochujang. We enjoyed the super-crunchy Korean fried chicken bites, which traveled well: They were still juicy and crisp when we brought them back home. We highly recommend loading up on the housemade sauces: Honey gochujang strikes an addictive sweet-spicy balance while the fire kimchi sauce packs a surprisingly hot punch. Add a side of creamy charred green onion aioli to an order of honey butter tater tots — trust us on this one.

The Hill Food Co., 2360 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, 361.548.7866, kimsbopshop.com

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Mead Hall, the newest outpost of owner and veteran homebrewer Mike Fuson, specializes in – you guessed it – mead. With roots that may date back to Africa over 20,000 years ago, the honey-based beverage is possibly the oldest fermented drink in history.

Fuson’s clean, not-too-sweet meads are perfumed with wonderful things such as raspberries and blackberries, orange blossom, cherry and chipotle. Ordering a flight is a must, specifically the samplers of their beautifully unique whiskey and port-barrel-aged meads.

The 3,000-square-foot tasting room’s decor is clean and simple with communal seating at heavy wood tables, string lights glowing overhead and a bold, bright mural featuring their bear mascot warming up the space.

2236 1st Capitol Drive, St. Charles, 314.780.6090, drinkmeadhall.com

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Bar snack perfection, thy name is edamame “hummus” from Stews Food & Liquor — and thankfully this Soulard drinking den offers a compelling cocktail list to match.

A generous plate of delicately crispy, housemade wonton chips hits the table with a cup of whipped green dip so light and creamy, with addictive, umami miso flavor, that you’ll question the ubiquity of its chickpea-based namesake. A shimmering chile oil topping adds richness and spice, while a sesame seed snowcap contributes a pleasant crunch.

You’ll feel right at home with the dogs on Stews’ charming Soulard patio when you inevitably lick the bowl clean.

1862 S. 10th St., St. Louis, stewsstl.com

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The name on everybody’s lips is amaro — and if it’s not, maybe it should be. This category of herbal liqueurs can be as divisive as it is diverse. Famously bitter, with complex, often mysterious botanical flavors, the barrier to entry can feel high and confusing for new drinkers.

So what exactly is amaro? Simply put, it’s a catch-all term – amaro is Italian for “bitter” – for bittersweet Italian liqueurs that are often enjoyed after a meal as a digestif. However, the label “amaro” is also used casually to describe similar products made outside Italy. There are hundreds of different amari, each with their own unique regional flair. Amaro is traditionally made by infusing grape brandy with a mix of herbs, flowers, aromatic bark, citrus and spices. These blends are often kept intentionally mysterious and can include anything from cardamom to elderberry flowers to artichokes. Amaro is aged, sometimes for years, after the addition of sugar syrup to sweeten the drink.

Silky and aromatically complex, amaro has become a fascination – an obsession even – with increasing numbers of American bartenders. If spritz fever took over your summer and you’re wondering what’s next, or you’ve become intrigued by the amari at your local bottle shop but wonder, “What the heck am I supposed to do with this, exactly?” we’ve got some recommendations to turn you into an amari-head in no time.

If you already like an Aperol spritz, try…
Select Spritz
Select Aperitivo is commonly served in Venice with prosecco and soda water as the Original Venetian Spritz. It’s similar in style to Aperol, with a brilliant raspberry color. Both are low in alcohol, with comparable base flavors like dried orange and rhubarb, but Select offers more complex flavor from an infusion of 30 botanicals. It’s the perfect middle ground for a drinker seeking something a bit less sweet and simple than Aperol, but less harshly bitter than Campari.

If you want to keep it simple…
Contratto Aperitif on ice
Another easy transition for Aperol spritz lovers is the delicious Contratto Aperitif. It’s sweeter and smoother than most amari, with a very gentle bitterness and tons of orange blossom, rhubarb and stone fruit on the nose. If you ask amaro fans how to use your shiny new bottle, most will – perhaps annoyingly – tell you to simply drink it. But that’s exactly what you should do with Contratto Aperitif: Pour a few ounces over ice, sip and enjoy.

If you’re a whiskey sour drinker looking to get a little weird…
Cynar 70 Sour
There’s an entire category of carciofo – that’s Italian for “artichoke” – amari made with artichoke leaves, herbs and barks. Cynar is the most ubiquitous example, and Cynar 70 is a higher-proof version with heightened bitterness and notes of menthol, eucalyptus, licorice root, sage and, of course, artichoke. Order one of these bad boys at Stews Food & Liquor in Soulard and they’ll know you know your stuff. Make your own at home with 2 ounces Cynar 70, 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice and 1/4 ounce agave syrup. Add all your ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Ambitious home bartenders can add an egg white before shaking for that dreamy, creamy cap.

If you’re looking to skip the booze…
Giffard Aperitif Syrup Spritz
This non-alcoholic aperitif syrup shouldn’t merely be discounted as a substitute for Campari. It’s rich, gorgeously red and sweet, with surprising savory notes evocative of pepper jelly. It drinks beautifully with club soda and a twist of orange, in a faux-groni, or just as a way to lighten up your regular cocktail routine.

If you’re ready to spice up your espresso martini…
Cocchi Dopo Teatro Espresso Martini
Espresso martinis have had us in a chokehold for the last four years – upgrade yours with a dash of this vermouth amaro with gorgeous dark cherry flavor and a fortified red wine base. Add a twist of lemon for brightness.

If you’re on the hunt for a Chartreuse replacement…
Boomsma Cloosterbitter
Chartreuse, an herbal liqueur developed and produced by French Carthusian monks since the 18th century, has famously been in short supply since the craft cocktail boom of the 2010s sparked a wave of fresh demand. If you love a Last Word cocktail, leave those monks be and sub in Boomsma Cloosterbitter, an herbal Dutch genepy (an absinthe-like, alpine aperitif in the amaro family) with more sweetness and anise notes than Chartreuse.

If you’re craving a post-meal treat…
J. Rieger Caffè Amaro
Kansas City’s very own J. Rieger & Co. produces this one-of-a-kind take on coffee liqueur in collaboration with KC-based coffee roasters Thou Mayest. The single-origin coffee roast they use is chosen specifically to work in tandem with its botanical flavors. Briefly aged in whiskey barrels, resulting in a rich, bittersweet flavor, it works equally well tipped into a cocktail, poured over ice cream, or sipped solo as an after-dinner palate cleanser.

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The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are coming to a close and Gilmore Girls rewatch season is upon us. The cult classic TV series has become a fall tradition for generations of pop culture superfans and as the leaves change and the pumpkin spice latte cravings start to hit, so does our itch for cozy fall-themed activities that make us feel like we’re sipping a coffee at Luke’s Diner.

Gilmore Girls Trivia
With famously rapid dialogue packed with literary, pop culture, political and historical references, no TV show is more rife for trivia than Gilmore Girls. Local trivia producer Bravo Trivia Night is hosting weekly events all September long at Schlafly Bottleworks (all ages welcome) and Hidden Gem (must be 21 years or older), alternatively. Winners get Gilmore Girls-themed prizes in addition to Schlafly and Hidden Gem goodies. Think and Drink Entertainment is channeling small town Stars Hollow vibes with trivia at Frankie Martin’s Garden (21+). All events are free to play and first-come, first-served. (Sauce writer Michelle Volansky runs Bravo Trivia Night.) 

• Thursday, Sept. 5 & 19 – 7 p.m. // Schlafly Bottleworks, 7260 Southwest Ave., St. Louis, 314.241.2337, facebook.com/bravotrivianight 
• Wednesday, Sept. 11 & 25 – 7 p.m. // Hidden Gem, 3118 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.925.8931, facebook.com/bravotrivianight 
• Thursday, Sept. 12 – 7 p.m. // Frankie Martin’s Garden, 5372 St. Charles St., Cottleville, 636.244.2420, facebook.com/ThinkAndDrinkEntertainment

Gilmore Girls Drag Brunch
Yes, you read that right – Gilmore Girls Drag Brunch. We should have to say no more. Local drag performer Fabrielle hosts a cast of performers paying homage to our favorite Stars Hollow residents. Bravo Trivia Night will be warming up the crowd with rounds of trivia before the show and at intermission, giving away themed prizes. Hidden Gem will make sure the cocktails and coffee stay flowing and food is bring-your-own. A food truck vendor to-be-announced will be outside or visitors can get brunch to-go from Egg just down the street. Sat., Sep. 21 – noon // Hidden Gem, 3118 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.925.8931, drinkhiddengem.com

An Evening with Kelly Bishop The Novel Neighbor is hosting an evening with award-winning actress, Mrs. Emily Gilmore herself, Kelly Bishop, to chat about her new memoir, “The Third Gilmore Girl.” Doors open at 5 p.m. for a pop-up market featuring local vendors organized by The Women’s Creative. Tickets are $35 and include one hardcover copy of the book. The event is currently sold out, but hopeful attendees can join the waitlist.  Sat., Sep. 21 – 6 p.m. // Keating Center for the Performing Arts, 801 West Essex Ave., Kirkwood, eventbrite.com

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We’ve got our tickets, we’ve got our outfits, now where are we going for dinner and drinks?

The first touring musical of The Fabulous Fox Theatre’s 2024-2025 season opened with a bang this week with Hamilton, which is running until Monday, Sept. 8. We’re often asked for advice on where to stop before or after a show, so whether you have season tickets or make it a special occasion once a year, here are our picks for the best spots to eat, drink and be merry before or after your show.

Curtain Call Lounge
The most obvious choice is a fully respectable one. This charming Byzantine-inspired Champagne bar is located right off The Fabulous Fox lobby, making it your closest possible stop. The tight menu offers tasty seasonal salads like the summer panzanella with spinach, heirloom tomatoes, grilled peaches, onion, cucumber, fried focaccia, feta and honey-thyme dressing as well as sturdier entrées like a 6-ounce Wagyu burger on toasted brioche with applewood-smoked bacon and cheddar cheese. Pro tip: Pre-order a drink to be ready and waiting for you at intermission. Seating is first-come, first-served, with no reservations. Curtain Call Lounge opens at 5 p.m. for evening performances or 2 hours before weekend matinees. On Thursday matinees it opens after the performance at 3 p.m. The lounge closes an hour after the day’s last performance, except on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday when it closes after intermission. 521 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.657.5070, fabulousfox.com/visit/curtain-call-lounge

Urban Chestnut Biergarten
Nothing beats Urban Chesnut’s biergarten-style patio on mild autumn evenings. Grab a pint underneath the glow of stringlights and a tray of chewy, soft pretzels with beer cheese and whole grain mustard. Check your days of the week before coming, as they’re closed Monday and Tuesday.
3229 Washington Ave., St. Louis, 314.222.0143, urbanchestnut.com/visit/midtown-biergarten

Art Bar at Angad
Catch the sunset across the street at the Art Bar rooftop at Angad Arts Hotel. Vibe with beautiful views, charcuterie boards and a cocktail. The Apple Blossom straddles the changing seasons with Unbroken apple vodka, lemon and a refreshing touch of herbal verbena. Stop by for a nightcap after your shows on Friday and Saturday when they’re open until 1 a.m.
3550 Samuel Shepard Drive, St. Louis, 314.561.0033, angadartshotel.com/restaurants-bars/art-bar

Hidden Gem
The pinkest, sparkliest bar in town is conveniently located just down Locust Street from The Fabulous Fox. Hit up happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. for $2 off all specialty cocktails, half price wine and $3 domestic beers. Open Tuesday through Saturday until at least midnight, it’s the perfect spot to pour one back under the shine of a sea of disco balls before or after a show.
3118 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.925.8931, drinkhiddengem.com

Kain Tayo
Further down Locust Street is the JCMidtown development, home to several of our favorite new bars and restaurants. Kain Tayo, one of Sauce’s Best New Restaurants of 2023, serves some of city’s finest Filipino cuisine, from shatteringly crisp, impossbily juicy lechon kiwali (deep-fried pork belly) to rich, saucy chicken adobo with plenty of garlic and peppercorn. Plan accordingly – they are closed Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. 2700 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.396.2110, kaintayotrenton.wordpress.com

Farm Spirit at Blue Jay Brewing Co.
Popular Tower Grove Farmers’ Market vendor, Farm Spirit, is the new food partner at Blue Jay Brewing Co., one of St. Louis’ most buzzed about new breweries. Enjoy a frosty pour of one of Blue Jay’s expertly crafted American- and European-style lagers alongside a Farm Spirit smash burger made with Price Family Farm grass-fed beef. Blue Jay is open Wednesday through Sunday, but be warned, Farm Spirits also takes Sundays off. 2710 Locust St., St. Louis, farmspiritstl.com, bluejaybrewing.com

Videira Wine Shop & Bar 
If a glass of wine and a snack in a chill, sophisticated space is more your style, Videira is the place for you. Casual drinkers and hardcore oenophiles alike are sure to find something to please their palates from the myriad regions represented, from German Rieslings to California chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons. As far as snacks, we can’t get enough of the burrata with roasted piquillo pepper jam, EVOO and basil oil, served with slices of crusty Union Loafers bread for dipping. Social hour offers $7 glasses of wine, $25 bottles and rotating specials from 4 to 7 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday, but they’re open until at least midnight daily, so this is another spot you can stop for a post-show finale.  2702 R Locust St., St. Louis, 314.377.9463, videirawineshopandbar.net

Salsa Rosada
Salsa Rosada, the Venezuelan and Colombian restaurant from Mayo Ketchup owners Mandy Estrella and Bradley Payne, offers a full bar and a menu full of irrestistably cheese-filled arepas, bunuelos, cachapas and tequenos. Loading up on sauces is a must – pineapple cause, aji, garlic mayo, and, of course, salsa rosada. Get dinner before a show Tuesday through Saturday. 3135 Olive St., St. Louis, 314.601.3038, plantaingirl.com

Small Batch
Do you have vegans and whiskey lovers on your guestlist? Kill two birds with one stone and make a reservation at this swanky, self-proclaimed whiskey lounge from the Baileys’ Restaurants family. From barbecue jackfruit to red Thai curry to jambalaya, the entire menu is low key vegan-friendly. They’re open 4 to 11 p.m. daily; closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 3001 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.380.2040, smallbatchstl.com

The Fountain on Locust
If you have kids to impress, The Fountain of Locust is a must. With over-the-top sundaes and milkshakes, a full mocktail menu and a $7 kids’ menu, the eclectic offerings at this iconic, Art Deco dream will dazzle guests of any age. Grown-ups should embrace their inner child and order a signature ice cream martini. Make reservations Tuesday through Friday at 4 p.m. or get on the waitlist online on the Tock app for weekend nights. 
3037 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.535.7800, fountainonlocust.com

Egg
What goes better with a weekend matinee than brunch beforehand? Start your day down the street with a corn bread Benedict (the smoked pork belly is our favorite) and an espresso martini (served hot or iced). Egg is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
3100 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.899.0036, eggstl.com
 

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In June, local concert promoter Jamo Presents announced plans to open Atomic by Jamo in the iconic space that once housed Atomic Cowboy at 4140 Manchester Ave. in the Grove.

Atomic’s grand opening celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sep. 6, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players will perform a tribute to Dave Matthews Band on the outdoor pavilion stage at 8 p.m. while DJ Mahf spins in the indoor Atomic Lounge space beginning at 9 p.m. Admission to the event is free. Guests can order food at a yet-to-be-announced food truck on site. A full menu of signature cocktails designed by general manager Randi Kranz, a former Sauce Ones to Watch honoree, will be available, in addition to classic cocktails and a range of beers.

In addition to several interior cosmetic changes and upgraded state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, the building now features a stunning new mural by St. Louis artist Jason Spencer of Killer Napkins. The project was chosen as a part of the St. Louis Mural Project, a grand program for local artists in partnership with RACSTL and the City of St. Louis, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Opening month acts include Portland indie rock band STRFKR, legendary Jamaican reggae group Black Uhuru, and Grammy Award-winning American jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy. For a full schedule of upcoming events, follow Atomic’s Facebook page.

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August was a fun month for St. Louis restaurant openings. Gerard Craft’s Niche Food Group opened its 11th restaurant at City Foundry STL, Soulard gained a Mizzou-themed sports bar, and Overland got the first location of a wild new all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot chain. 

As far as closings go, we lost some beloved watering holes from two great wine shops (although Cork & Rind will thankfully keep living through pop-up events) to a vegan coffee shop that was just finding its footing to an all-you-can-drink spot in The Grove. Did we miss anything? Email pr@saucemagazine.com with any updates to this list.

Openings 7 Brew Coffee, South City
Brew Bites, Delmar Loop
Crusoe’s Legacy, Bevo Expat BBQ, City Foundry STL in Midtown Farm Spirit at Blue Jay Brewing Co., Midtown The Fattened Caf, South City Kaldi’s Coffee, Ladue
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, Overland La Finca Coffee, Washington
Nate’s Kosher Deli, Creve Coeur Oak Street Lounge, Cottleville Ray’s Sports House, Soulard SmashEms’ Burger Bar, Tower Grove South South City Sports Bar, South City Taco Drip STL, Carr Square

Closings
Chateau Maplewood, Maplewood
The Cheesecake Factory, Chesterfield
Cork & Rind, St. Charles Looking Meadow Cafe, Maplewood Open Concept, The Grove

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We had a great time at Festival of Nations over the weekend, checking out hundreds of food, beverage and retail vendors and sampling dishes and snacks from over 75 countries around the world. Here are just a few of the best things we ate – a few of them have restaurants in the region, so be sure to visit them if you didn’t catch them at the festival.

Empanadas at Tango Argentina Food The St. Charles-based Argentinian restaurant showed up with empanadas stuffed with flavorful fillings including ham and cheese, spicy beef and spinach.

Mango meatball curry at Sameem Afghan Restaurant Tender kofte served in a curry sauce with hints of mango, accompanied by light and fluffy rice and a warm sheet of naan, were the star attraction served by Sameem owner Fahime Mohammad and his crew.

Mozzarella-stuffed plantains at La Colombianita We had to sit down after enjoying this dense, sweet-and-savory hunk of plantain filled with mozzarella and guava from Colombian food truck La Colombianita.

Burmese tea leaf salad This crunchy, refreshing salad with tea leaves, cabbage, peanuts and more was probably the healthiest thing we ate at Festival of Nations, courtesy of the Burmese stall.

Cochinita pibil tacos from El Molino del Sureste The Northampton restaurant showed up representing Yucatan cuisine, and this taco’s juicy achiote-citrus pork came offset with sour, crunchy pickled onion and habanero.

Satay at Tee Rak
We loved the delicious satay from Tower Grove Farmers’ Market regular Alada Poodtajan and Tee Rak. Chunks of juicy chicken are marinated overnight, sous vide to the perfect temperature, and grilled to order. Served with housemade peanut sauce, the skewers made for the perfect walking snack. 

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Just when we thought Webster Groves couldn’t get more charming, pint-size ice cream, candy and coffee shop Sylvie Dee’s opened earlier this summer at 8721 Big Bend Blvd. The 800-square-foot space is located just a few doors down from Bagel Union and Off Elm, the upcoming cocktail bar from The Vandy owners in Webster Groves’ Crossroads District in a small strip of buildings owned by co-owners Rachel and Jay Closson and Gretchen and John Lewis.

The small space is bright and airy with crisp white walls stretching up to a high ceiling, glowy midcentury modern lighting fixtures, and plenty of colorful, custom details. Vibrant artwork made by Gretchen Lewis warms up the space and balances the rainbow shelves of candy. A small seating area is available as well as a cozy patio tucked between buildings where kids can go nuts with chalk drawings.

As longtime Webster Groves residents, the Closson family felt the absence of a walkable ice cream shop since Serendipity moved to the Grove in 2022. Rachel had been feeling the itch to open a business of her own so she took matters into her own hands. Sylvie Dee’s offers up to 14 flavors of Serendipity ice cream, including three vegan options – vanilla, fruit sorbet, and a rotating seasonal flavor. Guests can upgrade their scoops to ice cream sandwiches with cookies from Webster’s own Vanilla Sugar Bake Shoppe (or gluten-free, vegan cookies courtesy of Ez Treats 314), ice cream nachos with waffle cone chips, or “puffies,” housemade waffle puffs topped with syrup, powered sugar, and whipped cream.

In addition to frozen treats and a large retail candy selection, Sylvie Dee’s serves as a walk-up coffee shop. The full menu featuring Blueprint Coffee offers everything from cold brews to flavored lattes with a wide variety of syrups to affogatos. 

Sylvie Dee’s is open Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8:30 p.m., Friday from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The walk-up window is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. 

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