St. Louisans hungry for Southern-style fried chicken and fish have been salivating ever since chef Josh Galliano announced his one-day pop-up restaurant. But the food is only half of what will be available when All-Star Fried Chicken & Fish opens doors tonight at 5 p.m., at 8133 Maryland Ave., in the space that’s home to Half & Half by day and MEDIAnoche by night (at least for a little while longer). While Galliano has given careful consideration – and prep time – to the eats, T.S. Ferguson, head barman at MEDIAnoche, has given just as much regard to the cocktail menu.
The cocktails will include a few classics and a handful of house creations. Among the oldies, patrons will see two New Orleans-born concoctions – Sazerac and Vieux Carre – along with a Bourbon Peach Smash and an Old-Fashioned. Among Ferguson’s five creations of his own is Little Country Gentleman (pictured), which will be the signature drink at Little Country Gentleman when the evening concept launches in a few weeks. Ferguson dubbed the drink Little Country Gentleman No. 1, explaining that the cocktail will evolve with each menu change at the restaurant. This first incarnation holds Wild Turkey rye whiskey, Busnel Calvados VSOP cognac, Green Chartreuse, house-made sweet vermouth and Creole bitters. Regulars at MEDIAnoche who know that Ferguson has been offering pre-batched cocktails to diners will be happy to hear that he will continue the bottled option this evening with a cocktail called Ignatius Reilly, a carbonated combination of rye whiskey, Pimm’s No. 1, amaro, white wine, lime juice, ginger syrup and strawberry essence.
This article appears in August 2012.