First Look: Shift, Test Kitchen & Take Out
Downtown STL will welcome Shift, Test Kitchen & Take Out when it opens to the public Tuesday, April 5. As Sauce reported in June 2015, the newest concept in the Bailey’s family of restaurants will offer a rotating menu of carryout meals and sides. The menu will feature a rotating selection of national and international barbecue…
The Weekend Project: Creole Cassoulet
The first time we made a cassoulet was for the reception at our twins’ baptism. They were our first children, and our family and godparents came over to celebrate. It was the perfect dish for a cold, wintery weekend, shared among family and celebrated with much wine. That was many years ago, when we were…
First Look: Weber Grill Restaurant in Brentwood
Weber Grill Restaurant quietly opened this week in a corner of the Saint Louis Galleria in Brentwood. As Sauce reported in April 2015, this is the fifth location, and the only Weber Grill Restaurant connected to a Weber Grill Academy. The main dining room seats around 185 with an additional 200 seats outside on the patio…
Recipe: Madras Egg Salad
It’s that time of year when people divide themselves into two camps: those who are grossed out by a sudden surplus of hard-boiled eggs and those who celebrate it. I myself am a card-carrying member of Camp Celebration. I love hard-boiled eggs sliced up and thrown into salads, eaten for breakfast with a little hot…
Scarlett’s Wine Bar to open in the Central West End
Sasha’s Wine Bar and Sasha’s on Shaw are getting a little sister when Scarlett’s Wine Bar opens at 4253 Laclede Ave., later this spring. “We wanted to play off the Sasha’s name, but we didn’t just want to stamp out a bunch of Sasha’s,” said co-owner Rachel Jones. Located in the Central West End, the…
Seoul Taco to open in Chicago
Northward expansion continues for Seoul Taco, as owner David Choi announced he’ll open a fourth location of the Korean-Mexican fast casual restaurant at 738 N. Clark St., in Chicago’s trendy, art-centric River North neighborhood. “The River North neighborhood is a vibrant neighborhood,” Choi said. “People are moving back into that area, and we found a…
Confluence Kombucha coming to the Grove
Fermentation fans and kombucha imbibers will have a new place to get their fix when Confluence Kombucha opens at 4507 Manchester Road in early May. Co-owner William Pauley plans to open brewery, tasting room and cafe serving his kombucha recipes and mostly vegan and raw foods. “It’s a great spot for a tasting room,” said…
Recipe: Leeks Vinaigrette
Make a dent in that mountain of colorful hard-boiled eggs with Leeks Vinaigrette. Simmer the trimmed leeks in water, then marinate them in a vinaigrette of Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar and fresh tarragon. Before serving, cover in chopped hard-boiled egg for a decadent finish to this simple dish. Click here for the recipe.
Dave Bailey announces new event space, Slate
Restaurateur Dave Bailey continues to expand his strip of Locust Street downtown, announcing multiple projects yesterday, March 24. Bailey said he will open another event space, Slate, at 1015 Locust St., this summer. Slate, which can accommodate 50 to 250 people, is meant to complement his other recently opened event space Willow at 321 N. 10th…
Recipe: Blaine Wetzel and Joe Ray’s Flax Seed Caramels
Sea and Smoke: Flavors from the untamed Pacific Northwest by Blaine Wetzel and Joe Ray is many things. It’s a narrative account of acclaimed restaurant The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, located just outside of Bellingham, Wash.; it’s a visually delightful walk through beautifully foraged and prepared dishes; it’s the world’s largest piece of marketing collateral.…
Tiki time at The Libertine
Boozy, juicy and the ultimate exercise in escapism, tiki cocktails are appearing (and staying) on menus across town. Giving winter a defiant one-finger salute, Ben Bauer at The Libertine launched the Tiki Attack menu in February. Rum, mezcal and house-made infusions run through the menu in drinks ranging in flavor from sweet and juicy to…
Recipe: Greek Yogurt-Chocolate Chip Cookies
I can seriously binge on chocolate chip cookies, so I’m often looking for slightly healthier alternatives. These Greek yogurt cookies are cake-like with a chewy edge. They taste very close to your standard chocolate chip cookies without the butter. The dough is very sticky, so be sure to set aside time for it to chill.…
Greek Yogurt-Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 dozen cookies
Jane Callahan sells Pie Oh My!
Pie Oh My! founder and owner Jane Callahan is passing the rolling pin to employee Melennie Lorence in a sale set to be finalized on March 31, as reported by Feast. Callahan said she is hanging up her apron to spend more time with her husband and family, and is confident that Lorence is the…
Recipe: Spring flatbreads
Spring is on its way, and we’re bridging the gap with winter citrus and spring produce. These recipes call for gluten-free, vegan flatbread, but feel free to swap out for your favorite, then get creative with this blank canvas. We topped one with Spring Asparagus and Herbed Goat Cheese (recipe here), then topped another with…
Recipe: Gabriel Rucker and Meredith Erickson’s Lamb Shepherd’s Pie, Curry Mash
Aside from name recognition, I chose Le Pigeon: Cooking at the Dirty Bird because of the book’s breadth and its initially charming, conversational tone. One recipe is titled Avocado Salsa (No, This Is Not Guacamole) – which is kind of cute. And then you read the “Love Letter to Plymouth Valiants,” bro-ing up the middle…
The Stellar Hog to trot into South City
After nearly three years at Adam’s Smokehouse apron, Alex Cupp is firing up his own pit, The Stellar Hog in the current Super’s Bungalow, as reported by the Riverfront Times. Cupp said he is in the process of buying the business at 5623 Leona St., and is currently helping to manage the bar. “I was just in…
4 beers styles for your St. Paddy’s feast
When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I yearn for rich corned beef and braised cabbage. Use the leftovers for corned beef hash and whipping up a hearty Irish beef stew, and my holiday weekend is close to complete – close. Beer makes a great pairing partner with all of these delicious eats. However, due…
Clementine’s to open second location
Things are heating up on Macklind Avenue as Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery announced plans to move into 4715 Macklind Ave., as reported by St. Louis Magazine. While the menu at the second location will be similar to the flagship store near Lafayette Square, offering ice cream in traditional, nontraditional and boozy flavors, owner Tamara Keefe…
The HotPot to rebrand, open new location in Chesterfield
The HotPot in Kirkwood will open a new location in the old Surf Dogs building at 137 Chesterfield Town Center. While the Kirkwood location is slated to remain as is, the Chesterfield location will take on a different moniker, Sym•Bowl. The location is also getting a new chef, Robert McClellan from now-shuttered Gringo. “We want to focus…
Recipe: Steak with Porcini Slather
I recently took a trip to northern California to visit one of the few friends who nerds out over food as much as I do. Her current obsession: porcini mushrooms. She demanded to know if I was equally infatuated. But here’s the thing – I really don’t get excited about mushrooms. I’ll now eat my…
Chefs Kevin Nashan, Kevin Willmann earn finalist nods for JBFA Best Chef: Midwest
Finalists for the 2016 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced today, March 15, and two St. Louis-area chefs are still in the running in the Best Chef: Midwest category. The James Beard Foundation recognized Kevin Nashan, chef-owner of Sidney Street Cafe and Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co., and Kevin Willmann, chef-owner of Farmhaus. Willmann found…
Budget Crunch: 8 delicious dishes and sweet deals to try now
Got $10 and a friend? Then intrepid Budget Crunch reporter Holly Fann has eight foodie finds you have to try, from Election Day treats to fancy fish fry dates. 1. ArtBar Saint Louis’ Tom Halaska has a special Election Day tradition: a free toasty G&W bologna grilled cheese sammy and a cold can of beer…
Beginner’s Guide to Hops
Hops are getting a lot of attention these days. Brewers are experimenting with new varietals and different levels and combinations of hops, while consumers debate the attraction of aggressively bitter beers. Even if you’re not a fan of the (perhaps waning) trend of abrasive, hop-heavy brews, it is important to understand the role hops play…
Guerrilla Street Food to open Chicago location
Guerrilla Street Food plans to blow into the windy city this year and open its second location in Chicago. Co-owner Brian Hardesty said that although the St. Louis brick-and-mortar opened just last summer, the expansion plans have been in the works for a while. “The plan has always been to expand,” Hardesty said. “We don’t…
Ben Edison to helm Delta Queen corporate kitchens
Ben Edison, former executive chef at Demun Oyster Bar, has taken the wheel at The Delta Queen Steamboat Co., where he became executive corporate chef in February. As part of his duties, Edison will open The Port of Call in Kimmswick, the company’s corporate headquarters, and oversee the menu and kitchen on the steamboat is…
Best Beer Lists
You can hit up just about any restaurant in St. Louis and have a beer with your food, but there are certain restaurants that bring craft beer to life. Here are seven places that take pints to the next level. Bridge Tap House & Wine BarPair Bridge’s a la carte cheese and charcuterie boards with…
Accessorize your wine
Accessories make lots of things better. Where would be without glitzy iPhone cases or the perfect pair of aviator shades? Even the wine scene has revolutionized its accessory game in recent years, moving beyond the classic corkscrew and a glass (though they are still necessities). Here, my short list of wine accessories that actually work…
Guide to Beer: Where should I get a beer?
It’s the age-old question: Where should we grab a beer tonight? Mix up the same old rotation of watering holes and try one of eight new tasting rooms in the St. Louis area perfect for any situation. With the kids? There’s a brewery for that. Is there a vegetarian in your midst? There’s a brewery…
Narwhal’s Crafted Urban Ice to bring frozen craft cocktails to Midtown
Co-owners Brad Merten and Brandon Holzhueter plan to cool down Midtown this summer with frozen adult beverages at Narwhal’s Crafted Urban Ice. The duo announced that their new bar, located at 3906 Laclede Ave., is slated to open in early summer. The announcement comes on the heels of the news that the city recently revoked…
The Rookie’s Guide to a Side Project Bottle Release
The forums are abuzz; Twitter is atwitter. The latest Side Project Brewing creation will be released tomorrow at Perennial Artisan Ales, and this time, you’re getting your hands on some of the world-class beer. But before you bumrush the bar, take note: A certain standard of behavior applies. We chatted with brewer and co-owner Cory…
Recipe: Ogrodnek and Stern’s Farfalle with Gorgonzola and Pistachios
When I see anything with pistachios on a menu, I have to order it. The pistachio ravioli at Pastaria hooked me – ravioli in a rich browned butter sauce finished with cheese, pistachios, mint and lemon. I now add pistachios to whatever I can: salads, pasta dishes and desserts. When flipping through Battersby: Extraordinary Food…
Steady as she gose
Sour skeptics don’t need to slink out of the room when beer buddies rave about a pour that smells like a ripe gym sock. Instead, they can grab a gose (pronounced GOHZ’-uh) and join the conversation. Anyone can wax poetic about the complex, bright acidity and joyful effervescence of a lactic acid-laced brew. “It’s a…
Trops loses liquor license effective April 9
Tropical Liqueurs, a bar in Soulard serving alcoholic slushies, will lose its liquor license effective April 9, according to a statement released today, March 11, by the owners. Area residents filed a petition with the excise commissioner of the city of St. Louis protesting the bar’s liquor license. After reviewing the complaints, the excise commissioner…
ArtBar Saint Louis to close at end of March
It’s a gloomy day for Cherokee Street watering hole ArtBar Saint Louis. Owner Tom Halaska announced on his personal Facebook page today, March 10, that the 2-year-old establishment would shutter on March 31. “We weren’t able to sustain the business,” Halaska said. “We had enormous support from the community, brought in new people and had…
Guide to Beer 2016: Bold New Brewers
St. Louis breweries don’t exactly adhere to reinheitsgebot purity laws or the strict hierarchy of traditional German brewing. Instead, laissez faire experimentation and collaboration have produced as many exciting new brewers as beers. Local favorites like 4 Hands Incarnation IPA and Perennial Suburban Beverage weren’t concocted by owners or brewmasters, but rather these rising talents.…
B-Side to open in former Los Punk space
Cherokee Street is getting a new hangout with a classic burger joint aesthetic – B-Side. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, B-Side will occupy the space of the now closed Los Punk at 2709 Cherokee St. Co-owner Francis Rodriguez said they hope to open by May 7. Rodriguez and business partners Beckie Lewis and Joe…
Vegan Chicken Salad
6 servings
Vegan chicken salad wraps
Like the Cardinals, my baseball-obsessed kiddos have already begun spring training, which means a lot of dining alfresco (by which I mean in the car, speeding to practices and games). Craving a more elegant meal than my usual PB&J, I decided to make a vegan chicken salad that would taste rich and travel well. Wraps…
Recipe: Italian Bread
This is one of my favorite recipes. I’ve always been a little fearful of yeast recipes, as yeast can be so fickle, but I’ve made this Italian bread countless times, and it’s turned out wonderfully. Use caution when working with yeast. It’s easy to kill with hot water, but if it’s not warm enough, it…
Recipe: Dukka-Crusted Lamb Chops
Dukka (pronounced DOO’-kah) is a blend of nuts, seeds and spices found in Egyptian cuisine that makes a rich, crunchy crust for cooked meat or fish. Place ½ cup salted and roasted pistachios, 1/3 cup toasted sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons coriander, 2 teaspoons cumin and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a food processor and grind…
750s that are worth it
The fear of paying a premium for a beer you won’t like is legitimate. But some of the best beer available is found in those intimidating, 750-milliliter bottles. Bottling beer like wine is cheaper and more efficient for breweries, but that’s not the only reason they do it. The reason you should venture into a…
Italian Bread
1 loaf
Summer Internship Opportunity: Special Events Internship
Do you love the STL food scene? Can’t get enough Food Truck Friday? Be a part of bringing it all together as a Sauce Special Events Intern. As a Special Events Intern, you will: -Assist Sauce Events Coordinator in preparing for, setting up, operating and breaking down all Food Truck Friday events beginning May 13-Assist…
First Look: Local Chef Kitchen in Ballwin
Ballwin residents can now grab a bite and pick up locally sourced produce, meat, dairy, eggs and more at Local Chef Kitchen at 15270 Manchester Road. As Sauce reported in January, chef-owner Rob Uyemura announced he planned to add a restaurant and market component to his Local Chef CSA, which opened the first week of March.…
Sure Lee’s to open on Cherokee Street
Chef Chris Lee has moved into 2639 Cherokee St., where he and partners Sarah and Dan Watts plan to open Sure Lee’s. As first reported by St. Louis Magazine, Lee hopes to open shop in time for the area’s Cinco de Mayo festivities. Having spent the last year and a half running meal delivery and catering…
Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad
In these last few weeks of winter when we’re craving fresh produce, we turn to ruby red beets to brighten up our Meatless Mondays. This gem of a Beet Salad sees roasted beets diced and dressed with ginger, chives, balsamic and garlic for a zippy bite sure to put a spring in your step. Get…
Eat This: Chocolate Chip Cookies at Pappo’s Pizzeria
We are still daydreaming about the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies at Pappo’s Pizzeria & Brew Co. Baked to order and served warm from the oven, these bronzed beauties rise into puffy domes with soft, cakey interiors. Melty chocolate and sweet notes of vanilla with nutty browned butter are balanced by a final flourish of sea…
Chaumette acquires Audubon’s in Ste. Genevieve
The Chaumette experience and hospitality will head to downtown Ste. Genevieve as the winery announced its March 1 acquisition of Audubon’s. The fine-dining restaurant will be called Audubon’s by Chaumette Vineyards & Winery and will focus on quality food and local sourcing. “We are excited for the opportunity to connect downtown Ste. Genevieve with wine country,”…
Plank Road Pizza owner to open Cottleville Cookies & Cream
Cottleville residents can look forward to a sweet summer as Plank Road Pizza owner Andrew Brewer plans to expand into desserts. Located at 5525 Oak St., Cottleville Cookies & Cream is set to open sometime in the late spring or early summer. The transformed residential building is just a block away from Plank Road Pizza,…
First Look: Cha Cha on Shaw and The Gaslight
A carryout taco joint and a recording studio walk into a bar … Rather, they share a space with one at 4916 Shaw Blvd., on The Hill, where patrons can now experience all three in one night at Cha Cha on Shaw, The Gaslight and Gaslight Studio. As Sauce reported in September 2015, Cha Cha Chow food…
Guide to Beer 2016: The Rookie’s Guide to a Side Project Release
The forums are abuzz; Twitter is atwitter. The latest Side Project Brewing creation will be released tomorrow at Perennial Artisan Ales, and this time, you’re getting your hands on some of the world-class beer. But before you bumrush the bar, take note: A certain standard of behavior applies. We chatted with brewer and co-owner Cory…
Recipe: Cod with Rosemary-Olive Vinaigrette
For those who observe Lent in St. Louis (or who just love a good piece of fried cod), Friday means parish fish fries – crowds of people, plastic cups of beer, deliciously greasy fish and sides for miles. But at some point during Lent, you reach a point where your Friday night calls for something…
Kitchen Kulture to open brick and mortar, Kounter Kulture in Lindenwood Park
Everyone is movin’ on up on Watson Road. Kitchen Kulture’s Michael Miller and Christine Meyer announced today, March 3, that they will take over the space currently occupied by Pint Size Bakery when the bake shop relocates to a larger location at 3133 Watson Road, as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The brick and mortar…
Source Juicery opens doors in downtown Edwardsville
Fresh juice and good vibes were flowing on Tuesday, March 1 at Source Juicery in downtown Edwardsville as owners Michelle Motley, Lisa Hudson and Chrissy Stevens, formerly of the Cleveland-Heath kitchen, opened the doors of their healthy food-to-go concept at 220 N. Main St. “We wanted to fill a gap for healthy food for healthy…
Kalbi Taco Shack to come to Cherokee Street
Combining Asian culinary roots with love of the established Mexican food scene on Cherokee Street, Sue Wong-Shackelford and husband Mark Shackelford plan to open Kalbi Taco Shack in late spring or early summer at 2301 Cherokee St. Inspired by a trip to Los Angeles some years ago and her own upbringing with parents who both…
Summer/Fall Internship Opportunities: Editorial Intern
Attention journalism, communications and English students: Sauce Magazine is seeking Editorial Interns for summer and fall 2016. We need students with a passion for the St. Louis food scene who want to translate that love to print and online media. As a Sauce Editorial Intern, you will: -Assist Sauce editorial team with the production of…
Awaken your appetite with aperitifs
There are a number of ways to amuse your bouche before a meal. The drinks best suited for the task are aperitifs. Referring to aromatized (infused with natural flavors) and fortified (pumped up with the addition of unaged brandy) wines like vermouth and light, crisp, bubbly cocktails, aperitifs open your palate and stimulate appetite. “An…
German pinot noirs: Rich flavor, affordable cost
Pinot noirs from the Pfalz region of Germany are growing in quality and can offer an unexpected, more affordable alternative to Burgundy reds. The 2011 Becker pinot noir from the Friedrich Becker estate in Pfalz has the varietal’s beloved earthy, cherry character for less than $20. This is definitely a wine worthy of your mama’s…
Top 3 Reubens in St. Louis
I love sandwiches so much I named my cat Sandwich. And my favorite is the classic and satisfying Reuben. Pastrami or corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss and Russian or Thousand Island on rye: nothing more, nothing less. It’s an old standard that deserves accolades piled on like its fatty meats. Here are St. Louis’ top…
Connie Cunningham emphasizes humane farming at Gosherd Valley Cottage
Connie Cunningham walks through a frosty pink dawn, flanked by her lion-sized Great Pyrenees as she crosses a wooden bridge to the pasture. A Pied Piper of sorts, she’s followed by almost a hundred animals: Geese, ducks, guinea hens and chickens, more dogs and a cat follow her inaudible music. It’s not that they’re hungry…
Review: O’Fallon Brewery O’Bar
When it comes to enthusiasm for craft, O’Fallon Brewery is less than subtle. Discontent to have its motto “We Love Beer” simply emblazoned on all the awnings outside, the rallying cry is also stamped on merchandise, stitched into servers’ T-shirts, plastered all over the website and legally trademarked for good measure. They do love beer,…
Hit List: 6 must-try restaurants in March
1. Olive & Oak: 102 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.736.1370, oliveandoakstl.com Webster Groves residents have been waiting for this restaurant – the time it takes to get a table makes that clear. Step up to the bar while you wait and order the No. 36 for a sweet-tart, herbal treat with Yellow Chartreuse, Amaro Nonino,…
What I Do: Troika Brodsky of St. Louis Brewers Guild
Depending on the day, you might find Troika Brodsky at a Yoga Buzz event, Ices Plain & Fancy or working as executive director of the St. Louis Brewers Guild. After 14 years at Schlafly, Brodsky became a one-man PR machine for the Guild’s 40-plus area breweries. Here, his thoughts on the power of St. Louis…
Review: Copper Pig in Southampton
The next time Copper Pig features Peruvian Cornish game hen as a special, order it. It comes with fries and a can of Inca Kola, Peru’s iconic and disturbingly bright yellow soft drink. As owner Nhat Nguyen described the dish to me, a plate of the slow-roasted bird flashed by, wafting hints of garlic and…
Review: Roberto’s Trattoria in Sappington
This unassuming restaurant is located in a large strip mall, but inside the ambiance is cozy with a fireplace, tablecloths and a rose floating in a wine glass on each table – not to mention Ol’ Blue Eyes crooning through the speakers. In a city with more old-school Italian restaurants than you can shake a…
Eat This: Brown butter Chocolate Chip Cookies at Pappo’s Pizzeria & Brew Co.
We are still daydreaming about the BROWN BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES at PAPPO’S PIZZERIA & BREW CO. Baked to order and served warm from the oven, these bronzed beauties rise into puffy domes with soft, cakey interiors. Melty chocolate and sweet notes of vanilla with nutty browned butter are balanced by a final flourish of…
Hit List: March 2016
Olive & Oak Webster Groves residents have been waiting for this restaurant – the time it takes to get a table makes that clear. Step up to the bar while you wait and order the No. 36 for a sweet-tart, herbal treat with Yellow Chartreuse, Amaro Nonino, lemon and cardamom. The menu is full of…
