Michael True is a prospector of sorts. The current general manager of City Coffeehouse & Creperie is setting out for new culinary territory by opening an Alaska-themed restaurant in Maplewood, and he’s hoping to strike gold by pairing the unique menu with a dinner-theater experience.
As reported by St. Louis Magazine, True’s restaurant, True Sites, will open doors in February at 7376 Manchester Road, the space formerly occupied by Blind Tiger. “I’ve always had a love for Alaska ever since I was a little kid, ever since Northern Exposure was on TV,” True said.
After spending a couple of weeks last summer in the Land of the Midnight Sun, True knew he had to bring a piece of Alaska back to St. Louis. His menu will feature seasonal Alaskan fare such as wild game, including elk meat and reindeer sausage, plus salmon and crab legs.
The restaurant, decorated to feel like a northern camp or lodge, will have a full bar, and True hopes to serve Alaskan beer and cocktails that fit the frontier theme, as well as drinks designed to coordinate with whatever dinner theater show is currently running.
True plans to produce – although not necessarily direct – all of the performances, which will run Wednesdays through Sundays for two or three weeks. Each production will have its ownmultiple-course menu. On those nights, regular walk-in service will continue in a separate dining area.
Theater has been a love of True’s since high school, and he has done backstage work for local productions. “If I could live on theater alone I would,” True said. “I know it’s not a money-maker, especially in St. Louis. I knew I was going to have to open up a restaurant to go along with it. The restaurant is hopefully going to pay for my theater hobby.”
True selected Maplewood for his new venture because of its central location, and the space already has a stage for his dinner theater productions. “Maplewood is so up and coming, it’s going through a renaissance right now,” he said. “I think I’m going to get a good mix of clientele by being in Maplewood.”
After the holidays, True said, he’ll be on the lookout for staff members to join his team.
This article appears in December 2014.