5 dishes we love from Black-owned restaurants in St. Louis
Supporting Black-owned businesses is one practical, actionable way to stand in solidarity with the Black community in St. Louis during Black History Month and year-round. Chicken sampler plate at Chez Ali at City Foundry STL Chef Alioun “Ali” Thiam moved to the U.S. in 1999 and lived in New York City until 2013. After moving…
First Look: Rockwell Beer Co.’s new menu in the Grove
When news broke on Jan. 3 that Niche Food Group’s Brasswell would no longer serve as the food concept at Rockwell Beer Co. at 1320 S. Vandeventer Ave. in the Grove, some longtime fans of Brasswell were concerned the new concept might not be up to par. Luckily, the Sauce staff checked it out, and…
Beignet All Day has opened a location in Webster Groves
Beignet All Day, which began in local farmers markets in summer 2022 and moved into the Urban Eats kitchen incubator and marketplace in Dutchtown in early 2023, opened a new location in Webster Groves on Wednesday, Jan. 24. This space is located at 43 South Old Orchard Ave. They will share a building with shaved…
This week on the Sauce podcast: James Beard semifinalists, Hot Pizza Cold Beer, The Preston and more
This week on the Sauce podcast, Michelle and Meera discuss a multi-course dinner they experienced at The Preston, which is inside the Chase Park Plaza hotel in the Central West End. From the seared sea scallop served in a pool of soy-wasabi beurre blanc to the white chocolate lavender mousse, The Preston’s talent was on display…
Menya Rui and Nathaniel Reid Bakery receive high honors from Yelp
If you love a good flaky croissant, one of the best in the U.S. is waiting for you in Kirkwood. A new Yelp list names homegrown Nathaniel Reid Bakery at 11243 Manchester Road in Kirkwood the second best in the entire U.S. and Canada too. It follows Nathaniel Reid’s inclusion on a 2019 Yelp list…
First Look: Jinzen Fusion Cuisine in Clayton
The first thing that captures your attention at Jinzen Fusion Cuisine at 8113 Maryland Ave. in Clayton is the lovely interior design of the space. A predominantly light wooden interior and soft, golden light evokes a Japanese design aesthetic with wood beams crafted into intricate patterns throughout. The furniture carries the same tones, and the…
Layla in Webster Groves has closed permanently
The last outpost of the beloved Lebanese-inflected burger joint Layla has closed without much ado. Layla and the Bad Egg at 20 Allen Ave., Suite 130, in Webster Groves quietly closed its doors in October, a representative from the building’s owner confirmed to the RFT. Michael Koch, director of investments for Novus Companies, said the eatery has…
Anthonino’s Taverna honored by Missouri Restaurant Association
A beloved Hill mainstay is getting top honors from the Missouri Restaurant Association. Anthonino’s Taverna owners and siblings Anthony and Rosario Scarato have been selected as the association’s 2023 Restaurateurs of the Year. Anthonino’s Taverna at 2225 Macklind Ave., which opened its doors in 2003, blends Italian and Greek cuisines. The brothers pulled inspiration for…
Wright’s Tavern’s bar manager Trevor Johnson is obsessive about the details
Age: 27 Job title: Bar manager, Wright’s Tavern Why watch him: He’s obsessive about the details Trevor Johnson has been around. Among other gigs, he’s worked the bar at the Missouri Athletic Club and served as the daytime dough prep guy at Louie. He spent a bit of time in Nashville working both front- and…
First Look: Osteria Forto in O’Fallon, Missouri
Dominic and Liz Pietoso, co-owners at the newly opened Osteria Forto at 2509 Hwy. K in O’Fallon, Missouri, have been planning on opening this restaurant for the past seven years. They used to run a Cecil Whittaker’s pizzeria in Creve Coeur together and on Wednesday nights would host “osteria night,” which was essentially a pop-up…
Weber’s Front Row is closing its Webster Groves location after 32 years
Weber’s Front Row announced in a Facebook post it will close its Webster Groves location at 8169 Big Bend Blvd. “in the coming months.” Known for its pub fare like wings, burgers and barbecue, Weber’s has served the Webster Groves community for 32 years. “All great runs come to an end, and we have an important…
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15 St. Louis restaurants with great brunch offerings
You know what they say – brunch is the most important meal of the day. Here are some spots around town with some delicious options. The first part of this list includes participants in our United We Brunch event you should definitely not miss on Saturday, Jan. 27, at City Winery STL at City Foundry STL.…
Cursed Bikes & Coffee is closing in University City
Beloved University City coffeehouse and bike shop Cursed Bikes & Coffee at 7401 Pershing Ave. at University City is soon to be no more. The business announced on Facebook and Square that Sunday, Feb. 4, would be its last day in business. “For the past six and a half years it has been our pleasure…
Paper Crane co-founder and The Vandy bartender Randi Kranz seeks out a challenge – and thrives
Age: 41 Title: Co-founder, Paper Crane, and bartender, The Vandy Why watch her: She seeks out a challenge – and thrives For some bartenders, the starting point for creating a cocktail is an ingredient, a riff on a classic, or a notion of how a combination of flavors might work together. That’s not Randi Kranz, who…
First Look: Hot Pizza Cold Beer in downtown St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis will soon have a new spot to grab a slice and a pint. Hot Pizza Cold Beer is slated to open on Friday, Feb. 2, at 610 Washington Ave. in the Mercantile Exchange building in the former home of Pi Pizzeria. From the team behind iconic St. Louis restaurants like Sugarfire Smoke…
Taco Circus in Clayton has closed
After operating as part of Kitchen Clayton at 7923 Forsyth Blvd. in Clayton for approximately the past year and a half, popular Tex-Mex restaurant Taco Circus has closed its doors once again. When asked for the reason for the closure, owner Christian Ethridge simply said, “Sales, point-blank.” The Taco Circus concept has bounced around the city over…
Clements Lock & Security on Cherokee Street becomes a bar every Thursday
By day, Clements Lock & Security at 2626 Cherokee St. is Gravois Park’s locksmith stop, but on Thursday nights after 4 p.m. it transforms into Clements Bar. The rustic key and lock shop makes for a quirky watering hole for those who want a unique night on the town. And the story of how it came…
This week on the Sauce podcast: Blue Jay Brewing Co., The Headless Bat, Indo and more
This week on the Sauce podcast, Meera and Michelle discuss a recent dinner at Indo in Botanical Heights, the first solo venture from chef and restaurateur Nick Bognar. They also talk about a take-out lunch experience from Vegan Deli & Butcher in Bevo, where chef Chris Bertke’s menu is filled with deli classics like a Reuben,…
James Beard Foundation names St. Louis-area restaurateurs and chefs among 2024 semifinalists
Several St. Louis-based chefs, restaurateurs and restaurants were named this morning as semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation’s annual Restaurant and Chef Awards. Mainlander and Sado were nominated in the Best New Restaurant category. Mainlander, the Modern American supper club co-owned by chef Blake Askew and maître d’ Gordon Chen, has received acclaim locally for…
Sump Coffee’s Flynn Edgerton makes chocolate with passion and pragmatism
Age: 29 Title: Wholesale production manager, Sump Coffee Why watch him: He makes chocolate with passion and pragmatism Sump Coffee was incorporated as a coffee and chocolate company in 2011, but apart from a few small-scale experiments, it never produced or sold chocolate regularly until 2023. So, what changed? Meet Flynn Edgerton. Edgerton came to…
Sacred Grounds Café is now open in the St. Louis Public Library in Downtown West
The St. Patrick Center has opened a new cafe at the Central Library in St. Louis’ Downtown West neighborhood. Sacred Grounds Café is located on the first floor of the St. Louis Public Library branch at 1301 Olive St. in the space that used to be Urban Eats’ Cafe Central. The new cafe is part of…
6 coffee recipes to try this winter
Vanilla Coffee Syrup Making your own syrup is the quickest, easiest way to upgrade your java. Coffee Creme Brulee This is an elegant and unbelievably easy dessert for any dinner party. Add espresso powder for a lovely coffee flavor that isn’t too overpowering. Iced Dulce de Leche Coffee It’s never not iced coffee…
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5 St. Louis spots with delicious, health-focused food options
January is here once again, and it may be time to clean up your eating habits a bit after the indulgences of the holidays. These local spots have you covered. Edera Italian Eatery Edera has some delightful nutritious options that will fit perfectly with your health goals. Increase your micronutrient intake with the grilled broccolini…
Wheelhouse Fish Co. will open in Urban Eats in Dutchtown in February
Wheelhouse Fish Co. is bringing its wild-caught Alaskan seafood to the Urban Eats food hall at 3301 Meramec St. in Dutchtown in February. The seafood specialist will serve a selection of ready-to-eat fish and shellfish dishes, in addition to raw seafood for cooking at home. Until now, Wheelhouse Fish Co. has sold its products at…
6 St. Louis-area places you can rely on for a great whiskey experience
The last decade has seen huge growth in demand for whiskey, leading to inflated prices and a secondary market for bottles that were once reliably easy to find. Fortunately, the St. Louis area has several bars where you can purchase a pour of hard-to-find bourbon, sample a flight, or even buy a bottle of whiskey…
Mr. Souvlaki will offer Greek food inside Urban Eats in Dutchtown in February
Greek food is coming to Urban Eats at 3301 Meramec St. in Dutchtown in early February, courtesy of Mr. Souvlaki. Owner Jerry Stamson will bring Mr. Souvlaki’s gyros, souvlaki and signature Greek fried chicken sandwich to the new storefront at the food hall, shared kitchen and food business incubator. Since launching Mr. Souvlaki in 2022,…
Heavy Riff Brewing Co. in Dogtown is getting international attention for its barrel program
Barrel-aged beer is big business in this town. Four of the highest-rated beers in the world — Side Project’s M.J.K., Beer : Barrel : Time, and O.W.K. and Perennial’s Barrel-Aged Abraxas — are brewed, bourbon-barreled and aged right here in St. Louis. Bottles of each run over $50 apiece (750 mL), though Side Project often…
Stews Food & Liquor is opening Friday in Soulard
Stews Food & Liquor will open on Friday, Jan. 19, at 1862 S. 10th St. in the former home of The Wood Shack in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis. The new restaurant is co-owned by bartender Nate Burrows, previously of Cinder House and Jack Nolen’s, chef Brent Petty, previously of Cinder House, and Kristen “Stew”…
Chesterfield Indian restaurant Black Salt will open locations in Creve Coeur and South City later this year
After the great success of Black Salt at 1709 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield since its doors opened last year, including being named a Best New Restaurant of 2023, co-owners Raj Pandey and Sanjiv Shekhar are broadening their horizons by opening two new locations. The duo plans to open another location at 11429 Olive Blvd. in…
Popular St. Louis breakfast restaurant Rooster is opening a location in Clayton
After 18 years of delighting city brunch goers, Rooster is expanding to the county. The beloved eatery, known for its top-notch bloody marys, crepes and slingers, recently hung up a sign in the heart of Clayton. The new sign adorns 176 Carondelet Plaza, which previously held Whitebox Eatery and sits right next door to hotspot…
First Look: The Headless Bat in Tower Grove South
The Headless Bat opened at 3128 Morganford Road in Tower Grove South in December 2023. The “heavy metal pizzeria” bakes whole pizza and pizza by the slice, in addition to wings and a drink list including draft beer, cocktails and wine. The restaurant is co-owned by Rick Giordano, who formerly co-owned The Ready Room, along…
This week on the Sauce podcast: Telva at the Ridge, the Biscuit Joint and more
This week on the Sauce podcast, Meera and Michelle discussed favorites from the Biscuit Joint, a new spot from chef-owner Elliot Brown where the biscuits and gravy reign supreme. They also talked about an amazing lunch from the recently opened Telva at the Ridge, the new restaurant from the team that runs Balkan Treat Box. From…
Eat this bakhtiari platter at Ehsani’s Hot Kabob in St. Louis
The bakhtiari platter at Ehsani’s Hot Kabob is ideal for sharing, serving up classic Persian grilled meats atop a generous mound of basmati and saffron rice. The tender joojeh (chicken tenderloin) is marinated in saffron and yogurt, while seasoned ground beef and lamb are the basis for the mouthwatering koobideh. The server will offer to…
Fried chicken restaurant Southern has closed permanently in Midtown St. Louis
Southern at 3108 Olive St. has closed its doors after more than eight years in Midtown St. Louis. The fast-casual spot pioneered Nashville-style hot chicken in St. Louis, long before national chains like Gus’ opened up in town. With rising star Rick Lewis as its opening chef, the place drew rave reviews and devoted fans,…
Rockwell Beer Co. in the Grove reveals new food concept in wake of Brasswell closing
Just two weeks after announcing the departure of Niche Food Group’s Brasswell at Rockwell Beer Co.’s location at 1320 S. Vandeventer Ave. in the Grove, the brewery has announced its new food menu, which was developed over the past three months by Rockwell’s new culinary director, longtime employee Stephen Kovac, and his team. Brasswell fans…
Fennel Cooking Studio’s Jackie Price is achieving her true culinary calling in Midtown St. Louis
By the time Jackie Price hit her teens, she had already fallen in love with cooking. Price’s Food Network obsession soon led to cooking for herself and her family, as well as working in restaurants through her high school years before going on to culinary school. However, Price worked as a caterer, dietician, baker, personal…
Imo’s Pizza celebrates 60 years serving the St. Louis community
Imo’s celebrating 60 years is exciting stuff. After all, one cannot even begin to talk about St. Louis food without mentioning the most St. Louis food of them all: cracker-thin pizza topped with the outrageously melty “cheese” that is Provel. And Imo’s is the most St. Louis-style pizza of all the various St. Louis-style pizzas…
Benedetto’s on Main in Wildwood has closed permanently
After serving the community for eight years, Italian restaurant Benedetto’s on Main at 16721 Main St. in Wildwood has ceased operations. The closure was announced via a Facebook post and note in the window of the business. “Our decision to close was not made lightly,” the statement read. “For the past several years we have…
5 soups from around the world to try in St. Louis this winter
Comforting, easy to make and nutritious – it’s no wonder that soups and stews feature prominently in most of the world’s cuisines. Thankfully, you don’t need to pack your bags to embark on a global tour of iconic soups and stews: Here are five brothy bowls hailing from a variety of culinary traditions. Doenjang Jjigae…
Sauci Pasta will open in St. Charles in spring 2024
Fast-casual pasta restaurant Sauci Pasta will open in spring 2024 at 1990 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. The restaurant is owned by the same family as Fratelli’s Ristorante, which has been a fixture in St. Charles for the past four decades. The restaurant is owned and managed principally by Ben Alagna and his brother Adam. The third…
Eckert’s Farm has launched its Cozy Cider Cabin pop-up in Belleville
St. Louis has no shortage of great holiday pop-ups, but come the new year, suddenly nothing is going on. Frankly, it’s a bit of bummer, even if our livers appreciate the break. Finally, someone has stepped up to right this great wrong. Eckert’s Farms is bringing back its Cozy Cider Cabin pop-up bar, running now…
Ones to Watch 2024
Ones to Watch is our annual list of the top food and drink industry pros with promise. These are the folks we’re looking forward to seeing lead the way in new concepts in St. Louis in the future. Randi Kranz Age: 41 Title: Co-founder, Paper Crane, and bartender, The Vandy Why watch her: She seeks out…
This week on the Sauce podcast: Jinzen, Tai Ke Shabu Shabu and more
This week on the Sauce podcast, Meera and Michelle discuss a recent lunch at the newly opened Jinzen, an Asian fusion restaurant in Clayton, where the volcano fried rice was a hit with a show-stopping tableside presentation. They also talk about their favorite dishes at Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, a Taiwanese restaurant in Olivette, where they always…
Massa’s in Town & Country has closed permanently
The Town & Country location of Massa’s at 14312 S. Outer 40 served its last meal on Dec. 30. “We appreciate you all and hope you have a blessed and Happy New Year,” its Facebook post read simply. “While Massa’s Town & Country is now closed, our other 4 locations will remain open!” Massa’s is…
Boba tea shop Honey Bee Tea has opened another location in Oakville
Boba tea shop Honey Bee Tea opened its fourth location at 5658 Telegraph Road, Suite A, in Oakville in mid-December 2023. Owned by Hai Tang and his wife Moon Duong, the couple opened the first shop at 429 Lafayette Center Drive in Manchester in early 2022 and expanded the business to include shops in St. Charles,…
3 cannabis beverages to try during Dry January and all year long
If you’re partaking in Dry January sans booze, but still want to catch a little buzz, these drinks are for you. Mighty Kind seltzers The OG in locally made cannabis beverages, Mighty Kind has a variety of offerings you can pick up outside the dispensaries at retailers like Randall’s Wine & Spirits and Saint Louis…
First Look: Telva at the Ridge in Webster Groves
Fans of the beloved Bosnian daytime spot Balkan Treat Box have much to celebrate. The Nalic family is holding the grand opening for their second concept, Telva at the Ridge, at 60 North Gore Ave. Webster Groves tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 10. A counter-service cafe and coffee shop, Telva is located within Rolling Ridge Nursery and will sell…
Gerard Craft confirms Des Peres space for first location of revived Porano Pasta concept
Niche Food Group owner Gerard Craft confirmed that the revival of Niche’s Porano Pasta concept will begin with a location at 13323 Manchester Road in Des Peres. The fast-casual pasta restaurant is slated to open in late March or early April, and will be the first of three Porano locations Niche currently plans to open…
AAA Fish House is closing its Delmar Loop location on Jan. 12 with plans to relocate
AAA Fish House will close at 5916 Delmar Blvd. in the Delmar Loop on Jan. 12. The restaurant’s owners have indicated that they plan to reopen in a new location, but said in a statement that they are “still negotiating” a lease. The statement announcing the closure was published to AAA Fish House’s social media…
Honey Bee’s Biscuits has left Beffa’s in Midtown St. Louis
The Midtown restaurant and bar Beffa’s at 2700 Olive St. announced that it has retaken control of its kitchen. In doing so, it is parting ways with Honey Bee’s Midtown, a biscuit-focused daytime spot that took up residence in the Beffa’s kitchen in October. Beffa’s announced the move on its Facebook page. “This was not…
4 St. Louis bars with great nonalcoholic cocktails to try this Dry January
There was a time, not long ago, when if you ordered a spirit-free drink, the most you could hope for was a little bit of grenadine in your soda. These days, though, discerning drinkers demand quality nonalcoholic (NA) options as part of their bar experience. Here are a few places around town where you can…
Ben Poremba to open two new concepts, Esca and Florentin, in the Delmar Maker District in early 2024
Restaurateur Ben Poremba’s Bengelina Hospitality Group will open two new concepts in the Delmar Maker District in the “next few weeks.” Poremba announced plans for Esca, a “coastal Mediterranean” bar and grill, and Florentin, an all-day restaurant offering shakshuka, falafel, smoothies and more inspired by the food of Tel Aviv. Poremba also offered updates on…
Three Kings Public House in the Delmar Loop is moving to the old HopCat space this spring
Nearly a year after the beloved Loop restaurant Three Kings Public House was ravaged by fire, its owners have found a new home, and it’s just three doors down from the old one — the sprawling two-story building previously home to HopCat. “When I went into that space, it’s all brick, with amazing wood…
Baked & Boiled is serving well-executed water bagels in Soulard
Soulard is the latest beneficiary of the recent bagel boom with Baked & Boiled. Helmed by owner Alex Pifer, the shop boasts well-executed water bagels, which are distinguished by a satisfyingly chewy crust. On a Sunday morning visit, the shop was crammed with customers. The selection includes traditional flavors like everything, poppy seed and pumpernickel…
First Look: Soda Fountain Express at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights
Westport Plaza is going through a growth spurt, with a raft of new residential and commercial development underway. The latest business to debut here is Soda Fountain Express, the sister restaurant of Soda Fountain at Union Station, which opened on Wednesday, Dec. 27, next to the venerable Westport resident the Trainwreck Saloon. According to the…
This week on the Sauce podcast: Pizza Champ, Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co., The Crow’s Nest and more
This week on the Sauce podcast, Meera and Michelle talk about some of their favorite dishes from the “Eat This” column that appears in the issue each month and highlights a must-try dish in St. Louis, including the marinara pizza from Pizza Champ. Also in the conversation is the November issue cover sandwich from The Crow’s Nest…
Comet Coffee has reopened its Kirkwood bakery after being closed since 2020
Comet Bakery at 640 W. Woodbine Ave. in Kirkwood has finally reopened for retail service after closing in 2020 due to the pandemic, which was announced in an Instagram post. Since its closure, the bakery has served as a commissary kitchen for Comet Coffee, located at 5708 Oakland Ave. Additionally, the Kirkwood bakery has served…
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Sauce Magazine will host United We Brunch at City Winery on Jan. 27
Sauce Magazine is proud to present the ninth annual United We Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, at the City Winery, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 158, at City Foundry STL in Midtown. Previously hosted by the Riverfront Times, United We Brunch is the first event to be added to…
Brasswell is leaving Rockwell Beer Co. in the Grove
Rockwell Beer Co. has announced that Gerard Craft’s Niche Food Group will no longer operate Brasswell at Rockwell’s location in the Grove, which had been open inside the craft brewery since 2018. Instead, Rockwell will handle the kitchen operations at the brewery beginning Thursday, Jan. 4. “We are grateful for the collaboration and partnership with…
