Bissinger’s to re-concept
the exterior of the future home of handcrafted by bissinger’s in the central west endBissinger’s at Maryland Plaza in the Central West End is undergoing a transformation this spring. The location, at 32 Maryland Plaza, will be rebranded as Handcrafted by Bissinger’s, and feature an expanded menu and a self-serve wine wall, along with Bissinger’s…
3 tea-infused cocktails to try at Retreat Gastropub
When Retreat Gastropub bar manager Tim Wiggins comes up with a tea-themed cocktail menu, it’s going to be more than boozy glasses of your grandma’s finest. “A lot of people hate tea,” Wiggins said. “These don’t taste like tea cocktails – they taste like cocktails with unusual elements.” The menu ranges from sweet and fruity…
Café Piazza to open in Benton Park
Vito La Fata III, owner of Vito’s Sicilian Pizzeria & Ristorante in Midtown, is opening a new concept in Benton Park. Café Piazza will debut in the former Benton Park Cafe space at 1900 Arsenal St., early this summer. La Fata described the cafe as a hybrid between a fast-casual pizza concept and a more traditional…
First Look: The Chase Club in the Central West End
The Chase Club, formerly Café Eau, debuts at The Chase Park Plaza tomorrow, March 31. The new concept features a new food and drink menu and revamped decor. Executive chef Colin Smelser, chef de cuisine Theron Pajares and executive pastry chef Eric Phillips put together a menu that features favorites like burgers and flatbreads, along…
Edwardsville Frozen foods is now Goshen Butcher Shop
An old Edwardsville favorite is getting a new name, a renewed focus and a top area chef. Local butcher shop Edwardsville Frozen Foods at 246 N. Main St., is now Goshen Butcher Shop, and chef Ben McArthur, most recently behind the range at J McArthur’s in Lindenwood Park, will helm its culinary program. Edwardsville natives Bob Keyser and…
Miss Leon’s Sunday Supper to debut at The Capitalist Pig
Miss Leon’s Soul Food’s fried chicken has built quite the following around town, featured at venues including Rehab Bar & Grill and Hiro Asian Kitchen. Fans will be happy to learn that her wares will soon be available weekly. Miss Leon’s Sunday Supper debuts April 30 at The Capitalist Pig, located inside Mad Art Gallery at…
First Look: Polite Society in Lafayette Square
Polite Society quietly opened in the in Lafayette Square at 1923 Park Ave. on March 23. As The Scoop reported in October 2016, co-owners Jonathan Schoen and Brian Schmitz have spent nearly a year renovating the former home of Ricardo’s, which closed in 2015 after 26 years in business. Schoen and Schmitz met in the late…
St. Louis Soup Dumplings to open in University City
Fans of Private Kitchen, the reservations-only Chinese restaurant in University City, will soon have a more casual venue to indulge in one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. As reported by the Riverfront Times, Private Kitchen owner Lawrence Chen will open St. Louis Soup Dumplings at 8110 Olive Blvd. Chen said he was inspired to…
Nadoz Cafe & Catering sold to Deer Creek Cafe owner
Steven Becker Fine Dining has sold Nadoz Cafe & Catering, located at 12 The Boulevard in Richmond Heights, to Deer Creek Cafe owner Kent McCarty. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, McCarty took possession of the space on Tuesday, March 14. “I liked the feel of the cafe,” McCarty said. “And it’s far enough away…
Riverbend Restaurant and Three Flags Tavern close
Riverbend Restaurant & Bar, located at 1059 S. Big Bend Blvd., in Richmond Heights, has closed. The last day of service was Sunday, March 26, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Owner Sam Kogos opened Riverbend in 2010 in Soulard after relocating from New Orleans. The restaurant moved to its Richmond Heights location in 2014.…
6 must-drink beers at Lupulin Carnival
It’s almost time for 4 Hands Brewing Co.’s yearly hop-induced coma: Lupulin Carnival. It takes place April 1 at Union Station this year, and it means the return of carnival acts, the smell of dank IPAs (and sweaty festival goers) and the release of 4 Hands’ Imperial IPA, War Hammer. (Tickets are available online.) Beer…
Budget Crunch: 9 delicious deals to devour now
Got $10 and a friend? Then contributor Kevin Korinek has 9 tasty deals you must try now. 1. The new Boardwalk Waffles & Ice Cream in Maplewood is offering a special $9 chicken and waffle deal Thursdays from 4 p.m. until sold out. And yes, it will probably sell out, so make sure you’re first in line.…
Fire erupts at Soulard’s Restaurant
Longtime neighborhood staple Soulard’s Restaurant & Bar caught fire Friday, March 17. St. Louis Fire Department Capt. Garon Patrick Mosby said the fire started at the restaurant, located at 1731 S. Seventh St., when an employee was burning off some grease from a stove, and the fire “got away from him.” No one was injured.…
First Look: Vicia in Midtown
More than a year after announcing their move to St. Louis, Michael and Tara Gallina’s highly anticipated Vicia opens for lunch this Wednesday, March 22 in the Cortex Innovation District at 4260 Forest Park Ave. Dinner service will debut on Tuesday, March 28. The Gallinas, both alums of the internationally acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone…
Pour-your-own bar and restaurant Tapped to open in Maplewood
Tapped, a restaurant and bar that will allow customers to pour their own beer and wine, will open in April at 7278 Manchester Road. Co-owners Ryan and Lindsay Reel will open in the former A Pizza Story space, as reported by Feast Magazine. While the kitchen will remain basically the same, Ryan Reel said changes…
Recipe: Guinness Beer Bread
Luck of the Irish indeed! Sauce Magazine tips the hat to all things beer this month, and March also celebrates all things Irish. This month rocks! I wondered how to make a Just Five recipe with beer as one of key ingredients. After a little research on beer bread and soda bread, I threw both…
James Beard Foundation names Kevin Nashan, Kevin Willmann Best Chef: Midwest finalists
The St. Louis restaurant scene experienced a bit of déjà vu when the finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards were announced today, March 15. Two St. Louis chefs moved on as finalists in the Best Chef: Midwest category: Sidney Street Cafe chef-owner Kevin Nashan and Farmhaus chef-owner Kevin Willmann. Both chefs were finalists in this category…
Dave Bailey to open new concept, Hugo’s Pizzeria
Restaurateur Dave Bailey, owner of Baileys’ Restaurants, will soon add another concept to his stable of eateries. Hugo’s Pizzeria is slated to open this summer at 3135 Olive St., in Midtown, just two blocks away from another of his restaurants, Small Batch. Bailey bought the building, which formerly housed The Good Pie, last year. “With…
First Look: Two Plumbers Brewery & Arcade in St. Charles
Two Plumbers Brewery & Arcade officially opens doors this Saturday, March 18, at 2236 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles. As The Scoop reported in December 2016, Two Plumbers is the brainchild of owner Robert Schowengerdt and head brewer John Simon. “I was trying to figure out a way to make an arcade make money,”…
Three new brunches to try at Sardella, Vista and Mona’s
This town loves a good brunch, and three restaurants have recently debuted new, diverse offerings for our weekend noshing. “Brunch was never really part of the original plan,” said Mona’s owner Brendan Marsden. But after hearing that customers wanted more brunch options on The Hill, Marsden decided to oblige on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10…
First Look: Snax Gastrobar in Lindenwood Park
Robust Wine Bar owners Stanley Browne and Arlene Maminta Browne open their first non-Robust project, Snax Gastrobar, tomorrow, March 10, at 3500 Watson Road. As The Scoop reported in December 2016, the new restaurant is opening in the space that most recently housed J. McArthur’s An American Kitchen. Executive chef Joseph L. Hemp V, who…
Casting a line at St. Louis fish fries with Friday Night Fish
I met Stephen Ibendahl in the basement of St. James The Greater Catholic Church in Dogtown. I wasn’t searching for any religious experience, but rather a plate piled high with golden fried fish. And who better to ask than the man behind Friday Night Fish, a website dedicated to that most popular of St. Louis…
Coming Clean: Clean ferments and the quest for simple perfection
Beer doesn’t have to be complicated to be good – which is why, amid the current popularity of funky barrel-aged brews, American beer culture is also seeing resurgence in clean, approachable styles like lagers. With Anheuser-Busch in its backyard and the interest of some unexpected breweries, the St. Louis beer scene has a lot to…
2 more ways to devour the weekend
Whether you love biscuits, fish fries or oysters, there are plenty of ways to fill up this weekend. Here are two more events for those who’re still peckish: 1. An Evening of SamplingGet to know the people behind the products at An Evening of Sampling at Farm to You Market. More than 20 vendors from…
Recipe: Quick Coconut Brownies
I recently ordered one of everything at my favorite bakery, and yet somehow, the beautiful brownie that I know was on my list did not make it into the bag. Yes, I had cupcakes and caramel cake and biscuits and scones and a cookie (I said one of everything – don’t judge), but since there…
First Look: The Dark Room at Grandel Square
The Dark Room Wine Bar & Photo Gallery has reopened in its new location at 3610 Grandel Square in the Grand Center Arts District. As The Scoop reported in November, the bar is now housed in the Grandel Theatre building. The bar is now designated as a nonprofit under the umbrella of the Kranzberg Arts…
First Look: Mac’s Local Eats in Dogtown
Last year, a broken sewage line during Game 7 of the World Series shuttered Tamm Avenue Grill for several months, during which the Dogtown bar and restaurant underwent a total renovation. During the hiatus, co-owner Bob Brazell (who also co-owns Byrd & Barrel and upcoming Good Fortune) said he and his partners decided to up…
Tazé to open second location in the CWE
// photo by michelle volanskyTazé Mediterranean Street Food is taking its fast-casual concept to the Central West End. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, co-owners Casey and Justin Roth will open a second location at 8½ S. Euclid Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Tortillaria Mexican Kitchen. Casey Roth said the restaurant should open…
Review: Pagan Wine Bar in the Central West End
Stepping into Pagan Wine Bar feels like stumbling into a madcap house party where you have no business being. You weren’t invited. This isn’t your normal scene. People are openly staring as you hover by the door. But awkwardness vanishes quickly at this unconventionally fun hole-in-the-wall, which, though small, has a spot for everyone. Much…
Grilled: Cilantro-Lime Swordfish Skewers
Thick, meaty swordfish steaks are ideal for grilling year-round. While more delicate fish needs to be coddled and carefully cooked in special grill pans, a rough and ready piece of swordfish can be tossed directly on a red-hot grill with no fear of flaking or falling through the grate. Fresh swordfish cuts are the key…
Review: Local Chef Kitchen in Ballwin
What Local Chef Kitchen lacks in an interesting name, it makes up for in delicious dishes. Located in a storefront on Manchester Road in Ballwin, it brings seasonal, locally sourced meals and a curated market to an area that always needs original acts. Not many spots in the neighborhood offer treats like Companion kombucha on…
How Jeff Hardesty and his NEIPAs made Narrow Gauge Brewing Co. an underground sensation
On the stretch of Lindbergh Boulevard that cuts through the heart of Florissant, nestled among oil change places, big-box retailers and car lots, sits one of the region’s most unexpected craft beer destinations: Cugino’s family restaurant. Ringed by modest suburban neighborhoods and serving a mix of Italian-American favorites and classic bar food, it’s not exactly…
Review: Nixta in Botanical Heights
Presumably to avoid being associated with endless baskets of chips and enchilada plates smothered in Jack cheese, restaurateur Ben Poremba has shied away from calling his latest concept, Nixta, a Mexican restaurant. Instead, he describes the food as “contemporary chef-driven cuisine with nods to Mexico and the ‘American Mediterranean.'” Poremba promised a fun and unexpected…
Summer/Fall Internship Opportunity: Editorial Interns
// photo by michelle volanskyAttention journalism, communications and English students: Sauce Magazine is seeking Editorial Interns for summer and fall 2017. We need students with a passion for the St. Louis food scene who want to translate that love to print and online media. As a Sauce Editorial Intern, you will: -Assist Sauce editorial team…
Up-Down arcade bar to open in former Herbie’s space
Arcade bar Up-Down has signed a lease on the space at 405 N. Euclid Ave., in the Central West End. As reported by the St. Louis Business Journal, Up-Down will open in the former home of Herbie’s, which moved to 8100 Maryland Ave., in Clayton late last year. Co-owner Josh Ivey said the company plans…
Sip, stir an Old Fashioned with Bols Genever
Dutch genever was the precursor to gin. It combines gin’s botanical notes with the malty flavors of whiskey. Look for the unaged Bols Genever with light citrusy notes, or the oak-aged version with bigger malt and a spicy robustness. Either is great for sipping or in a classic Dutch Old-Fashioned: In a highball glass filled with ice,…
Young and old blend perfectly in this Old World sour
Cheers to the St. Louis debut of the Old World sour, Rodenbach Grand Cru. This beauty blends a young beer with a two-year foedre-aged sour red ale. The older beer adds depth and complexity, while the younger brings brightness and tenacity. Look for a mild acetic note paired with flavors of wood, grain and cherry, rounded…
Look for these brews to hit shelves and taps this spring
This spring, several of my favorite breweries are hitting St. Louis with fun releases – some brand new, others making a return appearance, all highly anticipated. Just Released1. Left Hand Brewing Co. Well PlayedAlthough known for its nitro beers, don’t deny a try of this carbed-up red IPA. Expect a sweet, malty front ridden out by…
Don’t miss these 2017 STL beer festivals
Grab your calendar, prepare your liver and save the dates – St. Louis is awash in beer festivals this year. FestivAleMarch 4, Delmar Hall, St. LouisMore than 30 regional breweries descend on FestivAle from Point Labaddie Brewery to Charleville Brewery. Fill your glass, then grab bites from Wicked Greenz, Bogart’s Smokehouse and more. This event…
Does beer go bad? In a word, yes.
It happened again. You let that half-empty jug of milk sit past its best-by date. Way past its best-by date. You remove the cap, take a cautious sniff … then retch and promptly chuck the whole thing in the trash. While old beer doesn’t produce quite the same visceral reaction, bottling or drink-by dates should…
Drink up using this glassware no matter the beverage
Different beers have their own styles of glassware for a reason, but few of us have enough space or money to buy a full portfolio of beer glasses. Keep things simple by enjoying your next brew in a wine glass. The standard shape – wider at the bottom and narrow at the top – helps…
4 tips to discovering rare beers
Beer nerds spend hours at bottle shops and grocery stores searching for new and trendy bottles to add to their collections. But some beers are so special, so elusive, they can make even the most mild-mannered beer enthusiast go Captain Ahab on local aisles. “The more rare or difficult it is to find, that’s what…
Where brewers drink
Brewers can drink their own beer all day. Here’s where they go when they’re off duty. With a big group”We like Basso or Three Kings in The Loop. We live in U. City, so Three Kings is usually where we’ll go with friends.” – Ryan Sherring, Six Mile Bridge brewmaster-co-owner Neighborhood spot”Frailey’s Southtown Grill in…
What I Do: Justin Harris and Ryan Griffin of Saint Louis Hop Shop
Brothers Justin Harris and Ryan Griffin want to talk to you about beer. They’ve set up their Saint Louis Hop Shop with that in mind: choosing the foot traffic-heavy Cherokee Street neighborhood, hosting beer events and offering a short menu of pours to enjoy while you peruse their shelves of carefully selected bottles. Here, the…
Chef Tour: Brian Hardesty
Coming up the ranks through St. Louis restaurants like Balaban’s, Harvest, Monarch, Terrene and his own Guerrilla Street Food, has given chef Brian Hardesty definite opinions while dining out on his own dime. “I just want it to be reliable,” he said – and being easy on the wallet doesn’t hurt, either. “Once I start…
Eat This: Turkey Sandwich at Nathaniel Reid Bakery
Trust acclaimed pastry chef Nathaniel Reid to elevate the humble turkey sandwich far beyond a workaday lunch. His flaky, buttery croissant is sturdy enough to support slices of smoked turkey breast, a slice or two of havarti and a creamy swath of mayonnaise and mustard. We’ll never brown-bag a sad turkey sammie again. Nathaniel Reid…
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
1 dozen
Ultimate Rice Crispy Treats
8 to 10 servings
Basic Brown Butter
¾ cup
Quick Coconut Brownies
1 8-by-8-inch pan brownies
Brown Butter Macaroni and Cheese
6 to 8 servings
Brown Butter Breadcrumbs
1 cup
Cauliflower with Mustard Brown Butter
6 to 8 servings
Spinach Salad with Brown Butter Vinaigrette
6 servings
Guinness Beer Bread
6 servings
A Cut Above
Mise en place: a fabulous French phrase that describes washing/chopping/measuring all your ingredients before you begin a recipe. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why should you prepare to cook when you can, you know, just start cooking? Solid prep work lets you settle into a well-timed rhythm, which is far more enjoyable than frantically…
Savor this sauvignon blend from Napa Valley
Sauvignon blanc typically has a grassy, herbal profile, but the Chimney Rock Elevage Blanc has a softer, rounder aspect thanks to its blend with the rare sauvignon gris. Older bottles of this elegant, surprisingly ageable Napa Valley white have a perfectly mature nose with exotic, lush tropical aromas and a long-lasting finish. It’s stunning with…
Guide to Beer 2017: Class of 2017
The St. Louis beer scene is always expanding, but with a dozen breweries slated to open this year, we’re entering a new beer boom. Meet the St. Louis brewers’ Class of 2017. Top row from left: Greer Brewing Co. brewer-co-owner Chris Greer, Greer Brewing co-owner Becky Greer, Two Plumbers Brewery & Arcade head brewer John…
Steph Fischer’s life-changing croissants at Comet Coffee are made with magic – and a lot of butter
“Do you wanna shape one?” Steph Fischer asks me, pulling apart two triangles of pale, stretchy croissant dough and placing them on the stainless-steel countertop at Comet Croissanterie & Creamery. “Croissants are my favorite to shape,” she says, smiling. I look at the triangles with the clumsy nerves of a teenager. This dough has been…
Brown butter makes every recipe better
Deeper, richer and more intense than melted or clarified, brown butter is also known as beurre noisette (“hazelnut butter”) because it tastes nutty and toasty, and has a similar color. Made by cooking unsalted butter long enough to brown the milk solids and cook out any water, do it right and your kitchen will smell like…
Southern Spirit
“Think outside the box” is an encouragement to let creativity thrive unfettered by stale ideas. But sometimes limitations inspire imagination, rather than stifle it. Juniper bar manager Kevin Arndt understands this. His job is to create cocktails to pair with chef-owner John Perkins’ hearty, Southern-influenced fare. “It’s actually tricky to stay in that box,” said…
