After about two years of operating Rated Test Kitchen at 313 N. 11th St. in downtown St. Louis, former Sauce Ones to Watch honoree chef Juwan Rice, has announced the restaurant will soon close its doors.
A statement was issued on social media the morning of Tuesday, March 4.
“After years of pushing culinary boundaries and redefining dining in St. Louis, we are ready to turn the page and embark on our next chapter. While our St. Louis location will close in May 2025, this isn’t the end-it’s an evolution,” it reads. “Rated Test Kitchen was never meant to stay in one place. From the very beginning, our vision has been about growth, creativity, and pushing the limits of what a dining experience can be. Now, it’s time to take that vision to new heights, bringing Rated Test Kitchen to a broader stage.
“Our journey has always been about storytelling-creating immersive dining experiences where every dish tells a story. As we prepare for this transition, we invite you to join us for the final chapters of our St. Louis story.
“Chapter 9.5 begins March 7th – a bridge between past and present, honoring the evolution of our menus over the years. Chapter 10 launches April 1st – our grand finale in St. Louis, a 10-course tasting experience celebrating everything Rated Test Kitchen has been! Our final service will be May 31st.”
“While this chapter ends, a new one begins elsewhere. Rated Test Kitchen will return in a new city, bringing our vision and creativity to a fresh audience. More details on what’s next will be announced later this year.
“To our team, our guests, and the entire St. Louis community- Thank You. You have been part of our story, the reason we could take risks, experiment, and create something truly special. We hope you’ll join us in these final months as we close this book and prepare to write the next one.
The book closes here, but the story continues.”
This article appears in January/February 2025.