Ladue will lose a local landmark to Brentwood this winter, when Mai Lee Restaurant relocates from Delcrest Plaza to 1467 S. Hanley. “We’re moving because they’re not renewing our lease,” co-owner Qui Tran told us wryly. “Basically, they’re throwing us out.” The longtime Vietnamese eatery now sits just southeast of the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and I-170; its forthcoming location, despite its address, occupies an odd dogleg southwest of Eager Road and Hanley, behind the Brentwood Best Buy. At this point, Mai Lee’s soon-to-be site holds only scaffolds, HVAC components and permit notices from the local building and fire departments. Still, Tran, who estimated the move will occur in February, sounded stoked about the change, which will double the restaurant’s floor space and allow it to add both a full bar and an alfresco dining area.
This article appears in Nov 1-30, 2009.