First Look: Union 30 inside Hotel Saint Louis

Union 30, the latest addition to the downtown dining scene, opened softly on Thursday, Dec. 20, inside the new Hotel Saint Louis in the recently renovated Union Trust Building at 705 Olive St.

“We really want to celebrate St. Louis,” said executive chef Matt Birkenmeier, adding  “we’re not the typical hotel restaurant.”

Birkenmeier, who most recently ran the kitchen at the late South City favorite Quincy Street Bistro, oversees an eclectic menu that touches on many of the culinary elements that make St. Louis a great food town. Dishes range from takes on Southern delicacies like blackened catfish with crawfish etoufee and maple-seared duck and waffles to versions of St. Louis-specific classics like the Hotel Saint Louis slinger, The Hill Salad and Famous-Barr French onion soup. Even barbecue makes it into the mix, and many of the selections on the expansive menu are gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan. In addition to a full complement of beer, wine and cocktails, the bar features unique non-alcoholic drink options as well.

The 100-seat dining room features large windows on two sides that allow plenty of natural light into the space, accenting the historic building’s soaring ceilings. The vibe is casually upscale, comfortable for a bite before the game, date night or a special celebration.

Union 30 is open daily for breakfast from 6:30 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Here’s a look at downtown’s newest eatery.

Matt Sorrell is a staff writer at Sauce Magazine.