St. Louis Black Restaurant Week starts this Saturday
St. Louis Black Restaurant Week kicks off Saturday, Oct. 31, and will run through Saturday, Nov. 7. This event, organized by Black Restaurants LLC, highlights Black-owned restaurants, many of which will offer various dining deals. There are 16 participating restaurants that will offer an array of fare, including American food, seafood, soul food and West…
La Patisserie Chouquette’s Simone Faure discusses the importance of Election Day
As the November election approaches, we’re talking to the local food community and asking them to comment on why this election matters for St. Louis restaurants. Here, Simone Faure (pastry designer and co-owner of La Patisserie Chouquette) discusses her experience as a business owner in the wake of the 2004 and 2016 elections, her worries…
Ben Grupe’s new restaurant Tempus opens tonight in the Grove
Tempus, the long-awaited first restaurant from James Beard semi-finalist Ben Grupe, will open tonight, Thursday, Oct. 29, at 4370 Manchester Ave. in the Grove. Grupe previously served as executive chef at Ben Poremba’s restaurant Elaia, and also acted as the team captain for the U.S. Culinary Olympic Team in 2016. “Tempus is a distillation…
The Great Grizzly Bear bar in Soulard has closed permanently
Yesterday, Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Great Grizzly Bear sports bar at 1027 Geyer Ave. in Soulard announced via Facebook that it would be closing its doors permanently. The bar opened in the summer of 2019 under current ownership and stayed open for just over a year, though it had been open for several decades prior.…
St. Louis-based beverage line Karuna is inspired by traditional Chinese herbal medicine arts
When Angela Zeng moved from China to St. Louis in 1996 to earn a PhD in pathology from St. Louis University, she began to realize most Americans were over-consuming sugar. After completing her doctorate and a stint working for a pharmaceutical company, she landed a job with China’s top producer of apple juice concentrate. These…
St. Louis Metro East enacts more restrictive guidelines, including shutting down all indoor dining
Earlier this month, on Friday, Oct. 9, the state of Illinois eased restrictions in Region 4 (St. Clair, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Washington and Bond counties), restoring indoor dining and removing mandated closing times for bars and restaurants. After a prolonged period of increased Covid cases, the state has reversed the order and has suspended…
Kitchen Kulture’s Chris Meyer talks about the pandemic and why environmental issues should be in the spotlight
As the November election approaches, we’re talking to the local food community and asking them to comment on why this election matters for St. Louis restaurants. Here, Chris Meyer (co-owner, Kitchen Kulture, Field to Fire and soon-to-open Songbird) explains how the lack of a coordinated government response to Covid-19 compounded the pandemic’s unique challenges to…
Popular food truck K-Bop will move into brick-and-mortar in the Loop next month
Fans of Korean food truck K-Bop will be able to enjoy its food year-round when it opens a brick-and-mortar in the Loop next month. The restaurant announced the expansion on Facebook earlier today. “We’ve always wanted to open a restaurant for the last 5 years of food truck operation,” it said. “Finally we are going…
8 things we’re obsessed with right now
1. A’ Siciliana Limonata The A’ Siciliana Limonata, a wonderfully tart Italian soda made with fresh Sicilian lemons, is the perfect beverage … to pour a bunch of vermouth into and drink on the rocks. If you’re not into aperitif hour, this drink is also delicious on its own. 11.5-ounce can: $4. Pastaria, 7734 Forsyth…
First Look: The Annex Coffee and Foods in Webster Groves
The husband-and-wife duo behind Webster Groves mainstays the Frisco Barroom and Civil Alchemy are at it again. Co-owners John and Kelley Barr debuted The Annex Coffee and Foods in early October at 8122 Big Bend Blvd., directly next door to the Frisco Barroom and just a few doors down from Civil Alchemy, which they call a…
St. Louis restaurateur Gerard Craft discusses why your vote matters for the future of restaurants
As the November election approaches, we’re talking to the local food community and asking them to comment on why this election matters for St. Louis’ restaurants. Here, Gerard Craft, chef and co-owner of Niche Food Group, talks about why immigration is an important issue for restaurants, his support for the Biden-Harris ticket, and how he’s…
The Monocle has closed permanently in the Grove
Today, Wednesday, Oct. 21, performing arts bar The Monocle announced on Instagram that it has closed its doors. “To our patrons, friends, performers, and family, thank you for all your love and support during these difficult times,” The Monocle’s team wrote. “We are now and forever closed.” The pandemic was part of the reason for…
St. Louis restaurants are offering free ballot notary services so there’s no excuse not to vote
The STL Notary Coordination is partnering with local businesses, including many restaurants, to provide free notarization services for the community in the upcoming election. This group of volunteers is working in conjunction with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition to connect businesses and nonprofits to volunteer notaries. These efforts ensure free and safe notarization services throughout…
How YouTube helped St. Louis chef Brian Lagerstrom reclaim the kitchen
“Oh! Yeah! It’s me! Your No. 1 taco boy.” Maybe this isn’t the way you’d expect a lauded chef to introduce an instructional video on how to produce the perfect barbacoa taco … but Brian Lagerstrom is no longer a typical chef. This scene comes from just one of dozens of videos posted on Weeds…
CWE’s Kingside Diner will move into old Gamlin Whiskey House space
Central West End residents and Kingside Diner fans will have something to look forward to next year as Kingside Diner plans to move its 4651 Maryland Ave. location into a much bigger space: the former Gamlin Whiskey House spot at 236 N. Euclid Ave. Owner Aaron Teitelbaum anticipates that the new spot will be ready…
3 St. Louis spots making boba that will blow your mind
Boba tea, sometimes known as bubble tea, has come a long way since its Midwestern debut in the late 1990s. Depending on your age, you may have memories of waiting in line for a bright purple brew of this trendy Taiwanese export at Crestwood Mall (rest in power) or in the Loop. Today’s teens are…
First Look: Diego’s in University City
For a long time, Diego’s, the new Mexican restaurant from the owners of Frida’s, almost seemed like a rumor. Aiming to take over the former Momo’s Greek Tavern space at 622 North and South Road, the restaurant went through nearly two years of remodels and paperwork. As of Tuesday, Oct. 13, the dream became real…
Robust Wine Bar will debut health-focused offshoot, Clean & Juicy, this weekend
The wine buffs at Robust Wine Bar in Webster Groves are opening a new addition to their current spot called Clean & Juicy this Saturday, Oct. 17. The new concept is in collaboration with other local businesses to offer cold-pressed juices, alkaline water and bone broths to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle. “Everybody has…
Historic brand Old Judge Coffee returns to downtown St. Louis
Old Judge Coffee, a St. Louis brand that started in 1858, is back at Laclede’s Landing, as reported by Feast. Real estate development firm New Legacy Partners purchased the Old Judge Coffee building at 710 N. Second St. in an effort to bring business to the once thriving riverfront district. “Their heyday was really the ’40s…
Tai Ke will open second restaurant featuring hot pot menu
The team behind University City Taiwanese staple Tai Ke will be unveiling some new moves in the near future. Sometime next month, they’ll open a second restaurant, Tai Ke Shabu Shabu, at 9626 Olive Blvd., the space previously occupied by LuLu Asian Kitchen. The new spot will have some of the same menu items, but…
12 great St. Louis restaurants that are definitely open on Monday night
We’ve all been there: You absent-mindedly made dinner plans with your friend for Monday, and now it’s Monday afternoon and you’ve realized the spot you wanted to hit is closed. And your backup is closed. And that other place you didn’t even really want to go to is closed. Don’t cancel your plans! Finding a…
Kreis’ Steakhouse & Bar has been a St. Louis landmark for over 70 years
Kreis’ Steakhouse & Bar, famous for its gargantuan prime rib, has operated in the same location in Frontenac since 1948. The German Kreis family opened the restaurant as a roadside tavern positioned on U.S. Hwy. 67 that specialized in providing “chicken dinners and shuffleboard” to road-weary travelers, according to the current owners, siblings George Tompras…
Sections of Metro East will ease coronavirus restrictions today
According to Illinois’ Phase 4 safety guidelines, Region 4, which encompasses many Metro East counties, will have some eased restrictions starting at 5 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 9, most notably allowing indoor dining again. Region 4 includes St. Clair, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Washington and Bond counties. “The big message that the Illinois Department of Public…
First Look: Izumi
After a long gestation period, Japanese sando concept Izumi is finally heading out on the road. Operating mainly out of a converted 1995 Subaru Sambar, this new project is the brainchild of Kurt Bellon (Chao Baan, Global Foods Group). Its first service was yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 8, outside of Chao Baan. Izumi is inspired by…
Pumpkin beer is so good
“You’re a pump-CAN, not a pump-CAN’T.” – Starbucks Coffee, twitter.com, Aug. 25, 2020 “Our pumpkin beer will be coming out when hell freezes.” – 2nd Shift Brewing, twitter.com, Sept. 9, 2018 Pumpkin beer is like Steely Dan, Nicolas Cage and pineapple on pizza: they’re incredible, but somehow continue to inspire millions of passionate haters. One of the most…
Alibi Cookies now serving warm cookies out of a vending machine inside Tamm Avenue Bar in Dogtown
When Alibi Cookies owner-operator Mike Evans started his company about three months ago, he knew he wanted to bring something new to the St. Louis community. His new “cookiebot” located inside Tamm Avenue Bar at 1227 Tamm Ave. in Dogtown is his way of doing so. The cookiebot is a vending machine filled with an…
Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions will move to bigger space down the street in Maplewood next year
Bolyard’s Meat & Provisions is expanding operations by moving into a space about three times larger than its current spot. The new 4,200-square-foot location at 2733 Sutton Blvd. in the former home of the Dubliner is only one block north of the original location at 2810 Sutton Blvd. The new facility will include a fully…
Eat this spicy stir fry from Thai Nivas Cafe
Getting through the pad nam prik pao (called “spicy stir fry” on the menu) at Thai Nivas Cafe is a fiery fantasia of Thai chili, sweat and, in some cases, tears – especially if you order it at a level 5 like we do. Aromatic basil swims alongside perfectly cooked peppers, onions, carrots and a…
St. Louis restaurants prepare for winter
Across the St. Louis area, restaurants have adapted to the pandemic in a variety of ways. With winter on the horizon, though, business will soon become even more challenging. We’ve seen restaurants selling to-go cocktails and prepared meals, expanding patios to sidewalks and streets, and doing just about anything to keep the lights on and…
First Look: Edera Italian Eatery in the Central West End
Diners with fond memories of the now-closed Good Pie and Randolfi’s will be cheered by the news that chef Mike Randolph, the mastermind of both restaurants, is the consulting chef for Edera Italian Eatery. The modern Italian restaurant opens Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 48 Maryland Plaza in the space formerly occupied by Scape. Randolph is…
St. Louis County will raise business occupancy from 25% to 50% this week
This morning, Monday, Oct. 5, St. Louis county executive Dr. Sam Page gave a press briefing and released a fourth amended order outlining further guidelines regarding the pandemic, most notably allowing businesses – including restaurants – to increase capacity to 50%. The changes outlined by Page and in the order will go into effect at…
10 new places in St. Louis to try this month
Hangar Kitchen + BarHangar Kitchen + Bar, located in the former home of Slider House, turns out excellent dishes and drinks at reasonable prices. The refreshing, dessert-like Singapore Slush blends citrus and tropical fruits with brandy and seltzer. (Save a few sips to finish your meal). The roasted beets salad is subtly sweet, its strawberries,…
Vito Racanelli opens Big V’s Craft BBQ at Missouri Beer Co. in O’Fallon
Local restaurateur Vito Racanelli has opened Big V’s Craft BBQ located inside Missouri Beer Co. at 22 W. Industrial Drive in O’Fallon, Missouri, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. The new spot offers authentic barbecue with Racanelli’s own creative touch. Similar to popular barbecue joints located in hotspots such as Texas, Big V’s is only open on…
Quincy Street Bistro will reopen this fall in south St. Louis
Quincy Street Bistro, a popular neighborhood bar and grill that closed about two years ago, will reopen with a new owner in the same location at 6931 Gravois Ave. in Princeton Heights, in late October or early November, as reported by the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Owner Todd Tiefenauer decided to keep the name after identifying with…
St. Louis is having a sandwich renaissance
Legend traces the modern sandwich’s history to an 18th century British nobleman who habitually ate pieces of beef between slices of bread while playing epically long card games. His name was John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Though this story could be a myth, there’s a meaningful parable to be found in it: The…
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Catering in the time of COVID
Just because there’s a pandemic underway doesn’t mean the party has to stop – it just needs to happen in a safe manner. These St. Louis area caterers are working around the clock to ensure your next event keeps your guests full and happy while staying safe and sanitized. Championship CateringThis five-star wedding and event…
