First Look: Cafe la Vie inside the Le Meridien hotel in Clayton
A new restaurant offering European classics is debuting soon in Clayton. Cafe la Vie opens tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 1, inside the Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton hotel (a Marriott offshoot) at 7730 Bonhomme Ave. and aims to provide a spot to escape the mundane and experience the good life, as its French name suggestions. Helmed…
First Look: The Lucky Accomplice in Fox Park
Today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, sees the official premiere of one of the most anticipated restaurants of the year: The Lucky Accomplice (2501 S. Jefferson Ave.), a new concept from chef Logan Ely and his team. Ely closed his other restaurant, Shift, a few weeks ago to focus on the new spot, though he aims to…
Mangia Italiano on South Grand is up for sale
South City Italian restaurant and late night hotspot Mangia Italiano – known affectionately to neighborhood partiers simply as Mangia – has been listed on BizBuySell by owner James Bonsanti. The asking price is $179,000, and it’s available as a turnkey operation, meaning that new owners would have the option to continue running the space as…
Hamburger Mary’s has closed its St. Louis location
Downtown restaurant and drag bar Hamburger Mary’s has closed at 400 Washington Ave., according to an article by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch citing a Facebook post from employee Mokha Montrese. The Hamburger Mary’s chain has locations everywhere from Chicago and Denver to Houston and San Francisco. In many, it’s known as an inclusive space, offering…
7 to-go cocktails to cure your homesickness for your favorite bar
We’re all homesick for our favorite bars. We miss sliding into that familiar booth, catching up with our usual bartender, saying hi to other regulars — but most of all, we miss that first sip of a special cocktail we’ve been looking forward to all week. Fortunately, recent legislation has ensured to-go cocktails will remain…
Pastaria Deli & Wine concept will open as full restaurant this fall
Though it started as a sandwich, wine and provision pop-up this summer out of the Sardella space at 7734 Forsyth Blvd., Pastaria Deli & Wine will soon be putting down roots of its own. Niche Food Group will complete the concept’s transformation to a full restaurant sometime in October. With the closing of Sardella…
5 wine recommendations from Cork & Rind in St. Charles
Cork & Rind’s website is set up to mirror the experience of being in the wine shop, a stylish, open space with massive walls stocked nearly floor to ceiling with natural wine, where you can get some of the most unique and interesting bottles in town. Here are their recommendations for five wines you should…
First Look: Sando Shack Food Truck
Sando Shack, a new food truck specializing in Japanese-style sandwiches, opened on Friday, Sept. 25. The food truck focuses on a selection of katsu sandwiches, which is a protein cutlet (meat, fish or tofu) breaded in panko and deep-fried, served with tonkatsu sauce – a tangy, sweet and savory sauce – on white bread. Co-owners…
Your guide to building a quarantine liquor cabinet
It’s 7 p.m. on day 182 of quarantine, and you need a drink. You’ve decided you’re staying in, so you go to your home bar. You’re out of your favorite spirit! “I should have stocked up better,” you think. You go to the liquor store or hop on a liquor store website to place a…
St. Louis restaurateurs turn to ghost kitchens to explore new ideas
Yes, ghost kitchens are a real thing. No, they don’t have anything to do with Halloween. It’s a pretty simple idea, actually: A ghost kitchen is a food service concept that operates without a kitchen of its own. In some cases, chefs break off part of an established kitchen to operate a new menu; other…
12 covered patios to check out in St. Louis and beyond
With the coronavirus still circulating around us, alfresco meals remain one of the hottest dining trends of the year. If you liked our roundup of 10 St. Louis patios to enjoy some socially distanced summer fun, take your patio game to the next level with this group of spots that offer a bit more protection from…
Roo Yawitz of The Gramophone pivoted from sandwiches to philanthropy
Roo Yawitz and his wife, Kim Yawitz, opened The Gramophone in the Grove in 2008 as a small concert venue. In 2015, they started offering sandwiches. “I never intended to be a restaurateur, but they were a big hit,” he said. “We decided running a music club was exhausting and thought maybe a different business…
Grillo’s Chop & Barrel offers whiskey, meats and more in Lake Saint Louis
Meat connoisseur, whiskey buff and industry newcomer Mike Grillo has opened his own meat market, Grillo’s Chop & Barrel, in Lake Saint Louis. Located at 6289 Ronald Reagan Drive, the new spot offers a wide variety of whiskeys and meat. The meat selection ranges anywhere from cut steaks to burgers, kebabs, brats, bacon, chicken wings…
Bogart’s Smokehouse and Southern to close for the winter, reopen in spring
Today, Wednesday, Sept. 23, the Pappy’s Smokehouse family of stores announced that two of its restaurants, Bogart’s Smokehouse and Southern, will be closing temporarily. Bogart’s will suspend service on Saturday, Oct. 3, while Southern will remain open until the following day, Sunday, Oct. 4. Both will stay closed through the fall and winter and reopen…
Russell’s Cafe & Bakery will close its Chesterfield location this Sunday
Russell’s Cafe & Bakery will close its Chesterfield location this Sunday, Sept. 27, according to a press release. The space at 14888 Clayton Road opened in December 2017 and was the third Russell’s after the Fenton and Macklind locations. Owner Russell Ping cited COVID as the primary reason for the closing. “The Chesterfield location just…
How to get great wine in St. Louis in the age of COVID
For wine lovers, perusing the aisles of a favorite shop or ordering a perfectly paired glass at dinner can be bliss. We relish the spontaneity of grabbing some cool, new juice off the shelf, taking the advice of a trusted server or sommelier or indulging joyfully in an old favorite. We used to, anyway. With…
International Tap House will open new spot on the Delmar Loop in 2021
International Tap House (iTap) has closed its Central West End location at 16 S. Euclid Ave., but a new location at 6217 Delmar Blvd. on the Loop is in the works for April 2021. Sean Conroy, co-owner with Brad Lobdell, noted a combination of factors led to the Central West End location’s closure in mid-April.…
Meal delivery service supporting minority-owned restaurants in St. Louis launches next week
To the Table is a new online meal ordering service that will highlight local Black- and immigrant-owned restaurants by offering “mystery meals” for two people every Wednesday. Delivery will be available to those residing in the city of St. Louis and adjacent zip codes starting next Wednesday, Sept. 30. “The ultimate mission is to elevate…
4 St. Louis-made spirits to make the new normal a bit more bearable
We may be living in the Upside Down these days, but, luckily, local distillers continue putting out creative tipples to make the new normal a bit more bearable. Nobletons Distilling House Duckett Rhum 103Nobletons Distilling House has made waves with spirits made from sugar cane juice in the tradition of rhum agricole. This latest expression…
Upbar to open atop Element hotel in Midtown St. Louis next month
Midtown will continue its upswing next month as Westin opens a hotel from its Element line at 3743 Forest Park Ave. on Oct. 30, a prominent feature of which will be Upbar, a rooftop bar offering food, drinks, views and more. “The nice thing about the Element brand is that it’s a millennial brand,” said…
10 St. Louis walk-up windows we love
With ever-fluxing capacity restrictions during these uncertain times, restaurants, bars and shops are getting creative adjusting to life during a pandemic. Here are 10 walk-up windows making our takeout habit even more convenient. (Several have outdoor seating areas if you wish to linger.) 4 Hands Brewing Co.Pick up a pack of your favorite beer or…
St. Louis startup Find Your Farmer delivers local produce and more
Conceptualized by a group of Washington University graduates, Find Your Farmer is a St. Louis-based online marketplace offering vegetables, fruits, dairy and meats from local farmers. The team delivers the food themselves, bringing items straight to doorsteps in the greater St. Louis area. “Our mission is for people to get closer to their local…
‘Consent is My Love Language’ mural painted in the Grove in response to sexual assault allegations
In an effort to bring more light to sexual assault allegations that surfaced in June, a mural has been painted on the side of Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.’s location in the Grove as part of a new campaign called Consent is My Love Language. The Wandering Sidecar Bar Co., Girl Louie and STL Against Sexual Assault have…
Sugarfire Smoke House and Hi-Pointe Drive-In collaborate on SugarHi, a new ghost kitchen
The team behind Sugarfire Smoke House and Hi-Pointe Drive-In have been on a roll this year; no, that’s not a sandwich pun, though they did open Chicken Out, a fried chicken sandwich joint, in the Delmar Loop in June. In any case, fans of their food will have a bunch of new menus to get…
First Look: O+O Pizza in Webster Groves
The next in a series of big moves from the Olive + Oak team, O+O Pizza opens today, Wednesday, Sept. 16, for service. The restaurant’s premiere follows the opening of a new Olive + Oak location in early July at 216 W. Lockwood Ave. and the addition of neighboring Perennial on Lockwood to the family.…
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Date night in a new world
The world is a strange place these days. In our hardest times, we turn to the ones we love most, but rekindling romance when stressed out and (mostly) stuck at home can present a unique set of challenges. Luckily, a few establishments around town are making it a little easier and more private than ever…
5 St. Louis spots serving awesome frozen cocktails
Frozen cocktails are critical to surviving St. Louis’ sweltering summers, a fact that taught us an important life hack this year. You can make frozen deliciousness a part of your daily routine by over-ordering and storing the drinks in your freezer, where they should keep for a week or more. Recently, the frozen format has…
BeerSauce Shop will open a third location in Ballwin this Friday
BeerSauce Shop, a locally owned retail store where you can eat and drink as you shop, is opening the doors to its third location at 14738 B Manchester Road in Ballwin on Friday, Sept. 18. The first location opened in 2017 in St. Peters, but the concept has quickly expanded to include locations in Sunset…
Oktoberfest isn’t dead in St. Louis
On the scale of everything COVID-19 has taken from us this year, beer festivals don’t rank too highly. But a fall without rich, malty Märzen lagers, oompah music and bratwurst is still a loss we refuse to accept. Google Oktoberfest 2020, and the first thing you’ll see is just the word “canceled.” Munich, Germany, won’t be…
Dijana Groth of Novella Wine Bar? in St. Louis takes us on a tour of Eastern European wine
Winemaking has been a part of Eastern European culture for millennia, yet the region’s diverse offerings remain under the radar. Novella Wine Bar’s Dijana Groth guides us through some of the area’s most notable winemaking regions and introduces us to its indigenous grapes. While on their honeymoon in Croatia, Dijana Groth and her husband happened…
Kounter Kulture owners will open new restaurant, Songbird, this fall
The co-owners of farmers market vendor Kitchen Kulture and the brick-and-mortar Kounter Kulture, Chris Meyer and Mike Miller, are opening a sister restaurant, Songbird, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Located at 4476 Chouteau Ave. in Forest Park Southeast, Songbird will be a daytime concept set to open in late October or early November. …
Former St. Louis Blues player Brett Hull will open a restaurant in Wentzville in October
The term “sports bar” is taking on an elevated meaning with a new concept, Brett Hull’s Junction House, slated to open in October in Wentzville. St. Louis Blues veteran Brett Hull, who retired from the hockey team in 2005, has partnered with co-owner Keith Horneker to help bring this new idea to life. Located at…
Wing Ding Dong, a new concept from Baileys’ Restaurants, opens today in downtown St. Louis
Starting today, Friday, Sept. 11, a new contender has entered the local chicken wing and sandwich arena. The newest concept from Baileys’ Restaurants (Rooster, Bailey’s Range, Bailey’s Chocolate Bar), Wing Ding Dong is a ghost kitchen that offers carryout and delivery out of the downtown St. Louis Bailey’s Range location at 920 Olive St. For…
Lucas Park Grille in downtown St. Louis has closed, possibly temporarily
Lucas Park Grille has announced its closure at 1234 Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis, though it may be temporary. “Lucas Park Grille will be closing for an extended period of time due to the economic challenges presented by the current COVID pandemic,” a Facebook post said. “We hope to emerge from this on the…
Cousin Hugo’s Bar & Grill in Maplewood has closed after over 80 years
Cousin Hugo’s Bar & Grill at 2322 Laclede Station Road in Maplewood has closed its doors after more than 80 years of service, according to a message on its website. “Generations of St. Louisans have visited us in historic Maplewood – near the Rocket Park – where we’ve been serving food and drinks since 1938,”…
First Look: The Tea Studio by Kilian in Gravois Park
If you’re looking to expand your tea knowledge, The Tea Studio by Kilian is a great place to start. The retail shop opens tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 11, at 2755 Chippewa St. in Gravois Park. Owner Susie Kilian’s love for tea began about a decade ago. “I’m the happiest when I’m around tea – it truly…
Alcohol alternatives to boost your mood
A new wave of beverages is gaining popularity, offering ways to catch a different kind of buzz with ingredients like kava, kratom and cannabidiol (CBD). Synergy Smoothie & Elixir Bar, an upscale, bohemian hangout with a free-spirited vibe, offers some of these alternatives in Midtown. “People are valuing what they put in their bodies and…
First Look: Love at First Bite in St. Ann
Love at First Bite, a new carryout restaurant in St. Ann, opened today, Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 10479 St. Charles Rock Road with executive chef Jason Lamont and co-owner Monica Hodges at the helm. While small in scale, flavor is big at Love at First Bite, and dishes showcase Lamont’s many years of experience in…
Diablitos Cantina reopens in the Central West End
The fast-casual Mexican joint, Diablitos Cantina, has rejoined the Saint Louis University community as of Wednesday, Sept. 2., at 3919 W. Pine Blvd. in the Central West End. Owners Steve and Kelly Laws, and Laura Mennemeier are excited to bring the restaurant back, this time in its own independent space. Formerly located at 3761 Laclede Ave.,…
We’re obsessed with the mini cheese empanadas from Mayo Ketchup
The mini cheese empanadas at Mayo Ketchup are two-bite wonders. Made in-house daily, the dough is impossibly light and flaky, fried to a golden crisp around a blend of Swiss and white American cheeses. The filling has a thick, molten texture that adheres to the dough when hot, and the accompanying sweet guava sauce has…
First Look: Lazy Tiger in the Central West End
The team behind Central West End restaurants Yellowbelly and Retreat Gastropub debuted Lazy Tiger, an American cocktail bar at 210 N. Euclid Ave., today, Friday, Sept. 4. The bar is located in an intimate 1,000-square-foot space adjacent to Yellowbelly. Co-owner Travis Howard explained that the bar’s small footprint, which seats a maximum of 22, would enable all…
First Look: Red Knot Culinary at Handlebar in the Grove
For the past decade, Handlebar at 4127 Manchester Ave. has been an important late-night staple of the Grove. For some, the space meant cheap beer, solid pizza and a dependable hot dog stand out front; others have gone for the drunken, DJ-fueled chaos and sweaty 2 a.m. dance parties. But things have changed. “It’s not a…
Dutchtown’s The Feasting Fox has shut doors for good
Historic German restaurant The Feasting Fox announced Tuesday, Sept. 1, via Facebook that it has permanently closed. “In 1993, we took a leap of faith when we decided to bring this historic building back to life and preserve a precious piece of St. Louis,” owners Marty and Sue Luepker wrote. “COVID-19 has impacted every aspect…
Pizzeria da Gloria will open this fall on the Hill
South City pizza lovers will soon have a new spot to be stoked about when Pizzeria da Gloria opens next month at 2024 Marconi Ave. on the Hill. The pizzeria will be the first brick-and-mortar from local pizzaiolo Joe Kurowski. Kurowski has a long history in pizza, from in-home pop-ups to stints working in New York…
New St. Louis Metro East restrictions end indoor service in restaurants and bars
In an effort to combat the rising COVID numbers in the Metro East, new mitigation requirements went into effect Wednesday, Sept. 2. Indoor service is no longer allowed at bars and restaurants, and they must close at 11 p.m. each night and cannot reopen until 6 a.m. the following morning. The order also states that…
Failoni’s Restaurant and Bar has been a St. Louis landmark for over 100 years
Failoni’s Restaurant and Bar in Dogtown has been a family affair since Alex and Rose Failoni opened it in 1916. The ship is now steered by their grandchildren, co-owners Victor and Alex Jr., but Victor confessed that the restaurant’s true captain is his mother, Rosemary, who cooks many of its staple dishes. “She makes magic…
The future of bars
Going to a bar has never been just about having a drink. Be it a dive joint, public house, tasting room or wine bar, it’s the overall experience, the potential for convivial exchange with friends old or new, that drives folks to belly up to a bar instead of spending cocktail hour in front of…
