3 new places you must try this September
1. Nathaniel Reid Bakery: 11243 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, 314.858.1019Pastry chef Nathaniel Reid has won international accolades for his sweet treats, but it wasn’t until August that he opened his own shop serving sweet and savory breakfast pastries, sandwiches, colorful tarts and cakes. Start your day off right with a sweet almond croissant, or grab a sandwich…
Recipe: Beth Howard’s BLT Pie
Full disclosure: I didn’t like “Ms. American Pie.” In the introduction, author Beth Howard claims she’s not a big fan of recipes. This was evident in her instruction: no mention of preheating an oven, inexact time estimates and her insistence that chilling dough before rolling is an unnecessary time suck. More experienced home cooks can…
Recipe: Beef and Cheddar Hand Pies
I made these hand pies for fun one day, when I wanted to bring something tasty to a picnic but without the fuss of plates and utensils. Working with pie dough can sometimes be frustrating, it’s worth it. The end result is a buttery, flaky crust with a savory, meaty filling on the inside. Since…
Beef and Cheddar Hand Pies
4 servings
Recipe: Zucchini Parmesan Soufflé
Zucchini takes an elegant turn in this Zucchini Parmesan Soufflé. Mix this grated summer squash with rich egg yolks and cheese, then gently fold in fluffy egg whites. Bake 30 to 40 minutes (no peeking!) and carefully remove this billowy, burnished meal from the oven. Click here for the recipe.
Ben McArthur leaves J. McArthur’s kitchen, Will Volny steps in
A little more than a year after opening his first restaurant, chef Ben McArthur has left J. McArthur’s An American Kitchen. The announcement was posted on J. McArthur’s Facebook page yesterday, Aug. 28. Co-owner Kathleen Bibbins said McArthur has “decided to pursue some other opportunities.” McArthur opened the Lindenwood Park restaurant in July 2015 with Bibbins…
The Weekend Project: Pita
We don’t even want to move during St. Louis summers, much less spend hours over a hot stove or oven. Inspired by the cuisine of the sunny Mediterranean, these recipes for pitas and two refreshing dips revive you for exciting warm weather adventures. Simple tzatziki brings together the cool flavors of cucumber, mint and lemon…
City Foundry to open in Midtown 2018
The Cortex in Midtown will soon be home to a food hall and market. City Foundry is planned to include three brick-and-mortar restaurants as well as 20 food kiosks set to open around Labor Day of 2018. The project, which is being developed by Lawrence Group, is part of a $340 million development that will…
Shisha to open in former SOHO space
Yet another new establishment is opening doors in The Grove. Co-owners Ricky Barakat and Ahmad Salameh are putting the finishing touches on Shisha at 4229 Manchester Ave., the former home of SoHo Restaurant and Lounge. Barakat said they hope to host a soft opening by mid-September. “The Grove took me back to the Delmar Loop…
Pomegranate-Coffee Tonic Shrub Cocktail at Sump
There’s no guilt in a (nonalcoholic) morning cocktail, especially when Retreat Gastropub’s Tim Wiggins teams up with Sump Coffee for a Pomegranate-Coffee Tonic. The third coffee cocktail collaboration Wiggins has developed for the coffee shop this summer, this juicy, sweet-tart treat is made with fresh pomegranate juice, pomegranate syrup, dried hibiscus and Sump cold brew,…
Intoxicology spirits and bar supply store to open in The Grove
A new cocktail supply and spirits shop is coming to The Grove this fall. Intoxicology will open doors at 4321 Manchester Ave., next door to Layla. The 1,600-square-foot shop will focus on cocktail mixers and accessories for the home bar, including shrubs, bitters, artisan spirits and vintage glassware. The space will also feature a tasting…
Recipe: Gooey Double-Chocolate Mocha Cookies
I have fond memories of baking cookies with my mother and my grandmother when I was a little girl. We made the basics: oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and chocolate chip – all excellent cookies, but sometimes I want something more decadent. Gooey Double-Chocolate Mocha cookies from Theo Chocolate: Recipes and Sweet Secrets from Seattle’s Favorite…
Shack to open third location in Chesterfield
Good news for early risers in Chesterfield: Pancakes, omelet and hashbrown skillets will soon be served at a third location of Shack, opening in October at 14810 Clayton Road. Owner Brant Baldanza said he is “super excited” to bring an outpost of his breakfast and lunch restaurant to the town where he grew up. He…
2 more events to extend the weekend
There are plenty of ways to fill up this weekend: Need more? Extend your weekend with two Monday night dinners. 1. Tiki DinnerSpice up your Monday with a Tiki Dinner at Mission Taco Joint in the Central West End. This six-course meal includes tropical cocktail pairings like tuna poke and volcano shrimp with Planter’s Punch and char…
Lemon Gem Kitchen Goods to open in The Grove
If you need a tart pan, Lemon Gem Kitchen Goods will surely have them stocked when it opens in The Grove at 4180 Manchester Ave., this fall. Why? Owner Beth Styles’ missing tart pan sparked the idea for her kitchen supply store. With no nearby local shop near her house, she spent nearly an hour…
3 brews older than the St. Louis World’s Fair
The St. Louis World’s Fare kicks off tonight at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park and lasts through the weekend. While we celebrate the significance of that historic 1904 event, I wanted to pay homage to international brewing tradition. In this day and age experimentation and adjunct-crazy recipe building, it’s good to step back…
First Look: Sarah’s on Central in Eureka
Sarah’s Cake Shop owner Jill Umbarger attempted to quietly open Sarah’s on Central at 127 N. Central Ave., in Eureka last Wednesday, Aug. 10, and was met with a line out the door. As Sauce reported in June, the new cafe adds breakfast and lunch fare to the usual desserts Sarah’s Cake Shop is known for.…
Strange Donuts to open Tulsa location
Strange Donuts will be no stranger in Tulsa, Oklahoma next spring when it sets up shop at the north corner of East Archer Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. “We’re ready for the company to expand, and I’ve been looking at Tulsa for a long time,” said owner Jason Bockman. “It has ambitious, cool…
Chris’ Pancakes to open downtown location, Chris’ @ The Docket
This fall, Chris’ Pancakes & Dining will take its breakfast game downtown to a new location, Chris’ @ The Docket, at 100 N. Tucker Blvd. As reported by the Riverfront Times, Chris’ will move into the space formerly occupied by The Docket. “We feel the breakfast market is underserved in the downtown area. We’ve been…
Recipe: Grilled Pound Cake and Apricots
This recipe was inspired last spring when I had the opportunity to work with Panorama chef Ivy Magruder on a multi-course meal themed around the French mother sauces. Riffing on that idea, we created a dish based on one of my mother’s special desserts: lemon pound cake. Now my mom’s version was not a fancy…
Big Brothers Big Sisters to open rooftop event space, ground-floor restaurant this fall
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri will open Anew, a ground-floor restaurant and rooftop event space, at 501 N. Grand Blvd., as reported by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Creative director Corey Smale (the formerly of Strange Donuts and co-owner of forthcoming Good Fortune) said the restaurant will serve counter-service breakfast and lunch options Monday through Friday…
Recipe: Black Bean and Edamame Burgers
Frozen veggie burger patties fill the shelves at grocery stores, but like their beefy counterparts, nothing beats the homemade version. These Black Bean and Edamame Burgers get healthy dose of heat and smoke from fresh chile pepper, shredded radish, red onion and ancho chile powder. Mix it all together with cornmeal and an egg to…
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 taco Wednesdays to funky free classes 1. Oyster lovers should not miss out on Sqwires’ $1 oyster special Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. A fistful of singles will buy a freshly shucked feast of…
Recipe: Korean Pork Steaks
Contributor (and restaurant reviewer) Matt Berkley knows that grilling season is a year-round event in St. Louis. In his new column, he’s breaking away from the backyard basics and sharing fresh recipes perfect for open fire cooking. Fiery hot and savory sweet, Korean barbecue has hit its popularity apex, and pork steak, the versatile workhorse…
The Civil Life Brewing Co. to offer first canned beers
After five years of pouring pints in South City, The Civil Life Brewing Co. will finally can its American brown ale. Co-owner Jake Hafner said fans can pick up six-packs of 12-ounce cans at the brewery beginning Aug. 16. This marks the first time the brewery has offered a canned option; previously, if customers wanted Civil…
Korean Pork Steaks
5 servings
3 events to dig into this weekend
Whether you love chicken wings or elegant French fare, there are plenty of ways to fill up this weekend: Can’t wait? Jump start the weekend with three more events today through Sunday. 1. Sardella Breakfast Pop-UpChef-owner Gerard Craft’s forthcoming concept, Sardella, has popped up all over town recently. Ready for more? Grab a bite of a farro…
Recipe: Yossi Arefi’s Nectarine and Blackberry Pie Bars
Sweeter Off the Vine: Fruit Desserts for Every Season by Yossi Arefi won me over with its meticulous organization and moody, saturated glamour shots of fruit. It seemed like the perfect choice for this time of year, when it’s possible to mark the weeks off a calendar by what’s available at the farmers market. Unfortunately, I…
Recipe: Ginger Peach Tarte Tatin
The Song household is still peach crazy. Today, I opted for a simple tarte Tatin, swapping apples for peaches. A classic tarte Tatin covers caramelized apples with puff pastry. It is baked and then flipped onto a serving dish to reveal a wonderfully simple and delicious dessert akin to a pie but even easier to…
Ginger Peach Tarte Tatin
1 9-inch tart
Center Ice Brewery to open in Midtown
Soon, hockey lovers will have a new place to enjoy the game in Midtown. As reported by the St. Louis Business Journal, Center Ice Brewery is slated to open at 3120 Olive St., a couple doors down from Southern and Pappy’s Smokehouse, in early 2017. Owner and brewmaster Steve Albers started homebrewing in 2010 with a…
I Scream Cakes closes Maplewood location
I Scream Cakes closed doors at its Maplewood location Sunday, Aug. 7, just three months after opening at 7326B Manchester Road. Owner Kerry Soraci declined to comment on the reason for the closure, but she said her flagship location at 2641 Cherokee St., will remain open. Soraci opened I Scream Cakes in 2011. “For the…
Recipe: Grilled Tomato and Mushroom Salad
Farmers markets and gardens are filled with tomatoes in every hue imaginable, from pale melon yellow to fire-engine red to mysterious purple-black. Tonight, we’re paying tribute to Purple Cherokee tomatoes in this Grilled Tomato and Mushroom Salad. Slice and dress these beauties with basil and oregano, add a healthy dose of garlic paste and toss on the grill…
Justin Cardwell leaves BC’s Kitchen
General manager Justin Cardwell has moved on from the bar at BC’s Kitchen, which he helped opened eight years ago. He has accepted a position as West Coast brand ambassador for the Spanish liqueur, Licor 43. “It’s a vanilla and citrus sweet modifier, is the best way to describe it,” Cardwell said. “It’s become one…
Molly’s adds new exec chef, dining room
Molly’s in Soulard is growing with a new dining room and a new executive chef, Brandon Busby, who took the helm early last week. Most recently sous chef at Copper Pig, Busby also has prior experience at The Shaved Duck, Evangeline’s, Planter’s House and Revel Kitchen. He has also built a reputation on coordinating Taco Tuesdays at…
First Look: Nathaniel Reid Bakery in Kirkwood
Internationally renowned pastries are now available in Kirkwood. Pastry chefs and co-owners Nathaniel and Lee Lee Reid opened Nathaniel Reid Bakery at 11243 Manchester Road on Aug. 1, serving up sweet and savory breakfast pastries, sandwiches and colorful tarts and cakes. Nathaniel Reid’s career is studded with accolades and stints in prestigious kitchens. Dessert Professional…
Modern Farmer: How Todd Geisert turns happy pigs into cash cows
It started with a pork chop: thick, bone in, simply seasoned and pan seared. Greens, whipped potatoes, roasted garlic sauce, whatever the accompanying side didn’t matter. It sounds odd, but the chop tasted like pork – like how meat from a naturally raised animal should taste. The chop’s melting succulence and dense texture carried me…
Trendwatch: What’s trending now in the STL dining scene (Part 1)
1. A Better Swiss CheeseYou may not recognize the name, but you’ve probably seen raclette (a funky, nutty Swiss-French cow’s milk cheese that melts like a dream) on a BuzzFeed list or foodie Instagram account. You don’t have to go to Raclette NYC (Yes, a whole restaurant is named for the cheese.) to get it.…
Trendwatch: What’s trending now in the STL dining scene (Part 2)
Miss Part 1? Click here to see even more of what’s trending now in STL. 5. Puttin’ on the SpritzLocated at the intersection of low ABV, amaro and great-sounding names is the spritz cocktail. Traditionally made with bitter liqueur, wine and soda, this versatile Italian aperitif is bubbling up everywhere. Olio has seven varieties, a…
Recipe: Yvette Van Boven’s Triple-Chocolate Chunky Brownies
I love Yvette van Boven’s summer salad from her first book, Home Made. I first made it for another By the Book column years ago, and I still make it, regardless of the season. So I had high hopes for her newest book, Home Baked, which contains some of my favorite things: breads, cookies, cakes and…
Recipe: Ceviche
On a recent beach vacation, we prepared delicious dishes with fresh, locally caught fish, working within the limits of a rental kitchen. However, on some nights, it was just too hot (so very hot!). On one particularly searing night, the idea of standing at the stove nearly took me out of vacation mode. It was time…
Eat This: Original Palestine at Medina Grill
St. Louis is filled with shawarma, but only the beef Original Palestine from Medina Grill has our hearts. The shawarma is spit roasted and shaved to order, seared with spicy chile-tomato-vinegar sauce to add gusto, then folded into a soft pita along with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, a garlicky tahini sauce and a dusting of bitter sumac.…
Recipe: Halibut with Asian Salad
Throw together this light summer dish just for the halibut. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons grated ginger, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil and 1 teaspoon sugar. Reserve ¼ cup dressing and…
Make the bësk of it
Make no mistake: The Cubs and Blackhawks are not the worst things to come out of Chicago. That dubious distinction goes to a distilled grapefruit and wormwood spirit called Malort, more specifically, Bësk. You may know wormwood as one of the flavors in absinthe. Bësk tastes like the result of a reckless one-night stand between…
New York Tom’s Food Truck hits the streets
New York Tom’s Food Truck opened its window for service on Friday, July 29. Owner Tom Jegle hails from The Big Apple, but he has spent the last 30 years in the IT industry here in St. Louis. “I decided to reinvent myself,” Jegle said. “I looked around at the other food trucks and decided…
4 restaurants you must try this August
1. Start Bar: 1000 Spruce St., St. Louis, 314.376.4453 Reward your inner child with a trip to Start Bar for skee-ball and boozy snow cones. The surprisingly chic video game-themed space offers 19 arcade games with a variety of fighting, shooting, old-school and multiplayer options that will rotate based on popularity. (And yes, they’re getting…
ELTs
The controversial presidential race has created numerous opportunities for reasonable, well-mannered debates between Carnivore Bob and me (which I win, if he wants dinner). But all civility is lost when the subject of bacon arises. Depending on your side of the meat aisle, these smoky slices are either the best part of Sunday brunch (Carnivore…
What I Do: Nick Blue of Sardella
Gerard Craft’s text message asked for a vegetarian dish, done Niche-style. Unbeknownst to Nick Blue, he was in the preliminary stages of a job interview for executive chef of Sardella, the concept that will replace Niche, Craft’s first restaurant and the one that earned him St. Louis’ first James Beard Foundation Award. Blue certainly has…
Feel nostalgic drinking this white wine
Soave (so-AH-vey), from the Veneto region of northeast Italy, could easily be mistaken for a classy white Burgundy. The cool climate does magical things for the flavors and acidity of its whites. When I tasted the 2014 Pieropan Soave Classico, I felt like I had reconnected with an old friend. With its lovely acidity, nutty…
Review: The Dark Room
When the sun goes down in Midtown, a steady crowd fills the neighborhood’s popular wine bar. And once a jazz trio is in full swing on The Dark Room’s small stage, an empty seat is a rare find. Here’s a quick look inside this eclectic Grand Center hot spot. The Space The space is essentially…
Punch Drunk: Dos and don’ts for the best punch
Equal parts convenient and quaffable, punches are an easy way to sate the thirsty masses without getting stuck bartending all night. Recipes can range from light and cheery to spicy and brooding and can be adapted to suit just about any taste. Far from the questionable collegiate mixture of whatever is laying around plus Everclear,…
Review: Weber Grill Restaurant & Academy
Years ago, standing in front of the hot, wide-open kitchen of Weber Grill Restaurant in downtown Chicago, amid the swirling aroma of burning charcoal, I stared in awe at a line of enormous, flame-throwing kettles. “Pretty cool, huh?” asked the general manager, who had sidled up next to me unbeknownst, mimicking my arms-folded stance. He…
Modesto to close Aug. 20
After 15 years on The Hill, Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant will serve its final small plate on Saturday, Aug. 20. Owner Brendan Marsden, who also owns Whitebox Eatery in Clayton, said he has decided to shutter the space at 5257 Shaw Ave., and open a new concept in late September. “It was just time,”…
Recipe: Quinoa with Apricots and Leeks
Juicy, golden stone fruit has invaded the farmers market, and we’re always on the hunt for new ways with peaches, plums and nectarines. Tonight, we’re firing up the grill and tossing on leeks and apricots for a savory, smoky take on these sweet summer treats. Toss them with quinoa, cucumber and bell peppers, then drizzle…
Review: Océano Bistro in Clayton
Océano Bistro offers seafood favorites along with some less familiar dishes for the landlocked longing for water. You’ll have more trouble finding parking at this Clayton institution than getting a lunch seat in the large restaurant. Set your sails for the sunny enclosed patio if you can. Otherwise, what Océano’s interior lacks in ambiance it…
Ice Mold
Do• Use creative containers like plastic storage ware, silicone molds, loaf pans or Bundt pans to make ice. • Garnish with complementary flavors that will incorporate well as the ice melts into your punch, like berries and ginger for sweet punches. • Use filtered or distilled water for clearer and better-tasting ice.• Branch out from…
ELT with Smoked Paprika Tomato Jam
4 sandwiches
Oleo Saccharum
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Hit List: August 2016
Start Bar Reward your inner child with a trip to Start Bar for skee-ball and boozy snow cones. The surprisingly chic video game-themed space offers 19 arcade games with a variety of fighting, shooting, old-school and multiplayer options that will rotate based on popularity. (And yes, they’re getting Killer Queen, that 10-person game with a…
