Chip Bates named exec chef at Half & Half
Half & Half officially has an executive chef. While chef-owner Mike Randolph (pictured, far right) has always overseen operations at all three of his restaurants – Half & Half, The Good Pie and Little Country Gentleman – Half & Half has not had an executive chef, until now. Randolph shared news that Chip Bates (pictured,…
This week, Stacy Schultz is obsessed with
{The Diavolini sausage at Salume Beddu typically comes with a warning: It’s super, crazy spicy. That’s no problem in my house, though, where Sriracha is a stand-in for ketchup. I like to crumble and saute this chile-and-pimentón-laden charcuterie into fresh pasta with garlicky greens, shallots and a little fresh cheese, but you can roll it…
Baked: Cherry-Chocolate Red-Wine Bundt Cake
Fruit plus chocolate is not my favorite combination, especially dark chocolate. Therefore, when I set out to make this cake, I thought I was being so clever because I wouldn’t want to eat it at all. Boy was I wrong. Red wine isn’t just the ideal accompaniment to a hearty meal. It also adds the…
Drop. Swap. Grow. hosts annual seed swap this Saturday
It’s hard to imagine readying our gardens when it’s snowing outside, but perhaps now is the time for some magical thinking. This Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., Drop. Swap. Grow., in partnership with Slow Food, is hosting its 3rd Annual Seed and Tool Swap. The event, held in the basement of The Word at Shaw, located…
Drink This: Three beers that won’t kill your diet
Still holding on to your New Year’s resolution eating habits? Here are a few beers that won’t kill your diet. Although lighter, these brews still offer enough intensity to keep the attention of any palate. Batch 19 Pre-Prohibition Style Lager This golden American lager pours with a nice bubbly head, and its effervescence helps to…
The Scoop: Mission Taco Joint opens tomorrow
Mssion Taco Joint has announced its official opening date: tomorrow, February 28. Hours for the restaurant, located at 6235 Delmar Blvd., in The Loop, will be Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. If you missed our sneak peek from yesterday, head on over to our Facebook page.
Sneak Peek: Mission Taco Joint
Mssion Taco Joint is expected to open to the public any day now. While brothers and co-owners Adam and Jason Tilford shared details about the menu a few weeks ago, we’ve been itching to see some of those words on paper become edible. Yesterday, the Tilford brothers (who also own Barrister’s, Tortillaria Mexican Kitchen…
The Scoop: Traveling Tea moving to hot block in Maplewood
Local tea purveyor Traveling Tea is moving to Maplewood. Owner Kateri Meyer is leaving her space in Benton Park and making a new home at 2707 Sutton Ave., as reported by Feast. This block of Sutton Avenue, a side street off of Manchester in downtown Maplewood, has become quite a hot spot in the food and drink…
Giveaway: The clock is ticking!
Love free stuff? What about beer? We have good news! Today we’re giving away two tickets (value: $35 each) to 4 Hands Brewing Co.’s Lupulin Carnival. This annual celebration of the hop will include beer tastings, sideshow performances, live art, live music, a photo booth and more. The carnival is Saturday, March 2, from 2 to…
By the Book: Lou Rook’s Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels in a Spicy Tomato Vermouth Broth with Grilled Crusted Bread
The Chesterfield Valley wasn’t always The Chesterfield Valley. When I was a kid, that area was grassland and soccer fields as far as the eye could see. Oh, and there was The Smokehouse Market. After two or three hours of running after a black-and-white speckled ball (or away from it, in my athletically inept case),…
The Scoop: News from the local wine world
Big news is pouring out of two area wine shops: 33 Wine Shop and Tasting Bar is seeing a change in ownership, and The Wine & Cheese Place is set to unveil its expansion at its Creve Coeur location. In a letter sent via email last Friday to supporters, 33 Wine Shop owner Jeff Stettner announced…
The Scoop: Washington University gains Wil Fernandez-Cruz
Washington University Dining Services announced today that Wil Fernandez-Cruz has been hired as chef de cuisine of Ibby’s. Ibby’s is located on Wash U.’s Danforth campus and is operated by Bon Appétit Management Co. Fernandez-Cruz, who worked for years in New York City under the acclaimed chef and restaurateur Marc Meyer and most recently at The Cheshire’s The…
The Scoop: A slew of new restaurants
Scenesters be ready. A couple of new restaurants opened last week and more are slated to debut in the next few days. For those of you who love to be first on the scene, here are a few places to put on the top of your list. Simone Faure (pictured), former executive pastry chef at…
Meatless Monday: Winter Sunchoke Stew
The first time my chef’s knife ever crossed paths with sunchokes was during a vegetarian cooking class I took while living in Los Angeles. At the time, my husband and I had only been married for three months, yet we had already run into a problem: I didn’t eat meat, but he grew up in…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Centennial Beer Festival: another excuse to drink beer in February
During this month of party-hard festivities like the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, beer drinkers have needed little excuse to grab a pint. This weekend, as February draws to a close, the easy reason to celebrate grains in a glass is the Centennial Beer Festival. The festival takes place today and tomorrow in Centennial Malt…
This week, Ligaya Figueras is obsessed with
{Ditch the maraschino cherry and dress a cocktail or a glass of champagne with these flavor-packed red gems. Grab a jar of these Lounge Attire Premium Cocktail Cranberries at The Wine & Cheese Place in Clayton.} {The Tavern Kitchen & Bar’s executive chef Justin Haifley has a masterly hand when it comes to cooking up…
The Scoop: Food at Ballpark Village looks to be more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks
For some St. Louisans, the notion of a mixed-use development called Ballpark Village is now about as old as their college-bound kids. But with a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier this month on the 10-acre site of the old Busch Stadium downtown, the concept is a step closer to becoming a reality. And, as the dirt…
Sneak Peek: The Market at The Cheshire
On Monday, February 25, The Market, a combination cafe and retail shop, will open at The Cheshire in Richmond Heights. The Market joins two recently opened eateries – The Restaurant and Basso – at the newly renovated structure on 7036 Clayton Ave., adjacent to the historic inn. The Market will be open weekdays from 6 a.m.…
Just Five: Asparagus and Poached Egg
Dear spring, I’m so excited for your upcoming visit! It’s been a challenging winter. Sure, the weather has been marginally mild, but I’m still in desperate need of seeing the bright green and yellow of daffodils … which reminds me of a favorite early spring dish, one I make for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It…
The Scoop: Araka to shutter on March 9
After more than five years in business, Araka is closing its doors. Owner Brad Beracha announced today in a press release that he was shuttering the restaurant, located at 131 Carondelet Plaza. The restaurant’s final day will be on March 9 and will conclude with a farewell party beginning at 9 p.m. News of Araka’s…
The Scoop: Sports bar The Wheelhouse hopes to roll into Clayton by Cards’ opening day
The space at 15 N. Central Ave., in Clayton, is getting a new tenant. The former home of Portabella, followed by Italian restaurants Tucci & Fresta’s and the short-lived The Pasta House Co., will become a sports bar called The Wheelhouse, as tweeted by St. Louis Magazine’s George Mahe (@stlmag_relish) on Monday. According to one of The…
The Scoop: Perkins’ pop-up Le Coq now a dead chicken, but diners can soon find A Good Man is Hard to Find
Late last year, John Perkins, chef-owner of underground dining and mobile catering business Entre, announced that he would be holding themed restaurants at 360 N. Boyle Ave., in the Central West End. With chicken-centric Le Coq, the first of his concepts, recently retired, Perkins is ready to share more details about his next short-lived happening:…
The Scoop: Llywelyn’s Pub now open in Wildwood
Doors opened yesterday at the new Llywelyn’s Pub in Wildwood. The Celtic pub is located at 2490 Taylor Road in the Dierbergs shopping plaza on Manchester/Highway 100. The Scoop reported last October that the pub, which first opened in 1975 with a location in the Central West End and has since expanded to Soulard, St. Charles,…
By the Book: Carl and Nancy McConnell’s Fresh Fennel and Clementine Salad
Stone Soup Cottage: A Vignette of Seasonal Recipes is the first cookbook written by Carl and Nancy McConnell of Stone Soup Cottage. Like many cookbooks these days, it’s divided into seasons, but the McConnell’s take their book a step further by splitting each season into three six-course tasting menus. For example, one menu looks like…
The Scoop: Perennial Artisan Ales head brewmaster Cory King becomes a gypsy
Ever since Perennial Artisan Ales entered the local scene in fall 2011, its head brewmaster, Cory King, has become, well, a perennial favorite. One of his latest beers, Abraxas, recently garnered 100 points from Beer Advocate, which left beer enthusiasts wondering what was next up his malty sleeve. King, who is also Sauce’s beer columnist,…
An Interview with Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman
If you’re anything like us, Deb Perelman is no stranger to your kitchen. We’ve been following the home cook behind the celebrated food blog Smitten Kitchen for years. So when we found out that Perelman was going to be featured in our Sauce Celebrity Chef Series next month, where she’d be demonstrating recipes from her…
The Scoop: The Block now open in Central West End
Residents of the central corridor who enjoy visiting The Block in Webster Groves have eagerly anticipated the restaurant and butcher shop’s expansion into the Central West End. The wait is now over, as co-owners Brian and Lea Doherty and Marc and Amy Del Pietro have opened doors at The Block’s second home at 33 N.…
The Scoop: Gerard Craft and Kevin Nashan named semifinalists for 2013 James Beard
The James Beard Foundation has announced this year’s restaurant and chef award semifinalists. Two area chefs made the list: Gerard Craft and Kevin Nashan. Both are in the running for the category Best Chef: Midwest. Craft is the chef-owner of the Niche family of restaurants; Nashan is chef-owner of Sidney Street Cafe. Both have been…
Meatless Monday: Quick Curry
During the winter months, it’s easy to get into a pattern of making soups and stews. Root vegetables abound, and there’s just something about a bowl of steaming, savory eats, a comfy couch, a warm blanket and your favorite TV show that makes chilly nights more than welcome. This recipe — which I call “quick…
The Scoop: Burger joint The Dam opening next to Amsterdam Tavern
Amsterdam Tavern is getting a new neighbor. Considering that this neighbor will be a burger joint, hungry soccer fans who frequent the no-kitchen tavern in Tower Grove South should be happy, regardless of which club they root for. The restaurant, called The Dam, located at 3173 Morgan Ford Road, is the newest venture by Michele…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Glenmorangie’s newest scotch is skilled and ingenious
With the unending flow of new spirits entering the marketplace, discerning between the purely awesome and the purely hyped can become just as headache-inducing as a couple of cheap drinks. This week, however, we have a gem: Glenmorangie Ealanta. Ealanta, which is Gaelic for “skilled and ingenious,” is a 19-year single malt Scotch whisky. Glenmorangie,…
The Scoop: Rook Brothers building a mini empire on Washington Avenue
{Dave Rook} Brothers Dave and Mike Rook are going to be seeing one another much more than just at family gatherings now that they’re opening not one, but two restaurants in the coming weeks. The Rook restaurants, to be called King Louie’s and Empire Deli & Pizza, will both be located on Washington Avenue, as…
This week, Julie Cohen is obsessed with
{These Mexican Sweet Potato Skins elevate one of my favorite bar foods (potato skins) and make them not only healthier but also, just, better. I mean, roasted corn, black beans, cilantro, spicy chipotle, cheese and no grease? Enough said. – photo courtesy of Pinch of Yum.} {I’ve never been one to use headphones because they…
Potbelly Cake: The next-generation Pigwich at Taste
Rare is the case when I report on a single dish, but rare is a dish such as the Pigwich. Perhaps the culinary crew at Taste didn’t realize the gem on their hands when they slapped two pig-shaped chocolate cookies between an unctuous swath of bacon buttercream, but the Pigwich quickly became the signature dessert…
Baked: Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes
These cupcakes come just in time for Valentine’s Day. I made them for a friend who loves all things Nutella. Devil’s-food cake is topped with the softest, fluffiest Nutella “cloud” frosting and then sprinkled with hazelnut crunch. The cupcakes were devoured in a hot minute, and I had plenty of the hazelnut crunch left over…
Ten Great Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Forgot to make a Valentine’s Day reservation? It’s your lucky day. Sometimes the most romantic nights are spent cooking together or for one another. We have picked out some of our favorite recipes (two appetizers, two salads, four entrees and two desserts), so that you can create the perfect menu for you and the one(s)…
The Scoop: Blue Moon Eatery opening on Main Street in Edwardsville
Blue Moon Eatery will soon be another reason to head to Main Street in Edwardsville. Chef-owner Jason Shafer is opening Blue Moon at 1114 N. Main St., in a space that was most recently occupied by Taylor’s Chicken and Ribs. Blue Moon Eatery will not be a sit-down restaurant; rather, Shafer and his culinary team…
Fat Tuesday: All grown up
Grown a bit old for Fat Tuesday debauchery but still looking to celebrate tonight? For a quiet scene and an authentic French cocktail, check out Bar Les Frères in Clayton. For Matt Berkley’s review of Bar Les Frères, click here. — photo by Jonathan Gayman
The Scoop: Piccolino’s adds Italian flavor to downtown Ferguson
We’re down with the growth of downtown Ferguson these days. Last month, The Scoop reported that boutique bakery Cose Dolci had relocated to a larger space on S. Florissant Road to accommodate its burgeoning business. Piccolino’s, a nearby shop, opened in December at 10 Church St., and deserves a belated welcome to NorCo. Piccolino’s is…
By The Book: Helen Fletcher’s S’mores Tart
For the second book in our local cookbook series, I baked from Helen Fletcher’s European Tarts: Pastries Like a Pro; Divinely Doable Desserts with Little or No Baking. During an interview with Fletcher, who was featured in February’s Cook’s Books, she impressed me with her kindness and humility; but what really wowed me was her…
The Scoop: Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis begins $1 million renovation of The Lobby Lounge
The Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is getting a $1 million makeover. Renovations are already underway at the 4-star, 4-diamond luxury hotel in Clayton to give its lounge and bar a fresh look. Each Ritz-Carlton property has a theme reflecting that property and the surrounding community. The theme chosen for the renovated lounge…
14 questions with Steve Gontram
First, there was the wondering: What would chef/restaurateur Steve Gontram’s next move be? Now, there’s only the satisfaction. At Five Star Burgers, the latest in a chain created by his father, Gontram is plating up some outstanding American food. Here, the creative force who originated Harvest and is considered a local pioneer in the farm-to-table movement,…
Meatless Monday: Penne with Chickpeas, Broccolini and Cherry Tomatoes
For me, coming from a largely Italian family, pasta to my meal planning is like beef to a cattle rancher’s. For better or worse, my husband and I cook pasta at least two nights a week. If he cooks, it usually means spaghetti with some sort of red sauce; but if I’m manning the pasta…
The Scoop: Rue Lafayette shutters for now
The cafe and boutique Rue Lafayette, located at 2026 Lafayette Ave., has closed. As reported by Byron Kerman in St. Louis Magazine, owner Araceli Kopiloff announced her reasons for shuttering the cafe on the cafe’s facebook page. Kerman quoted her post as: “Here is the E True Hollywood story: due to divorce Rue had to close (not…
5 St. Louis bars to celebrate Mardi Gras that aren’t in Soulard
Editor’s note: Graham’s Grill & Bayou Bar and The Library Annex have closed. It’s hard to imagine Mardi Gras anywhere besides Soulard. Between the grand parade and the throngs of revelers, options that don’t involve horrendous parking, overpriced beer and endless bathroom lines are easily overlooked. Had your fill of house parties, packed pubs and…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Make it a flight night
Just as a tasting menu gives a diner a glimpse into what’s stoking the creativity of the kitchen crew, flights – a series of small pours of beer, wine or spirits – can be one of the best ways for a drinker to get a sense of what’s stirring the excitement of the bar team.…
This week, Meera Nagarajan is obsessed with
{This recipe for vegetable Bolognese is great for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. It has the texture and heartiness of a classic Bolognese without the heaviness. — Photo and recipe courtesy of Gourmet.com} {Nigella Lawson is one of my favorite celebrity chefs – not just because she looks like a real-life Snow White – but…
Kimchi With Bok Choy and Mushrooms
Makes about 4 pounds
Just Five: Salmon with Pinot Noir Syrup
In case you haven’t heard, salmon is very good for you. It’s high in “good fats,” protein, vitamin D and selenium. Salmon is also easy to find and reasonably priced; there’s no reason you shouldn’t be eating it a few times a week! For a while my household ate salmon pretty regularly, but then we…
The Scoop: New restaurant The Choice is something special by Lillian
The boutique clothing and accessories shop Something Special by Lillian was in operation for more than 20 years. Owner Lillian Cooper closed her Central West End shop two years ago, but she hopes her new venture into the world of food service will be, likewise, something special. The Choice opened two weeks ago at 3265…
Eat this: Hendricks BBQ’s homemade ‘Moon-Shine’ pies
We’re still suckers for the confections of our childhood, so when we eyed the Homemade ‘Moon-Shine’ Pies on the menu at Hendricks BBQ, we couldn’t deny our craving for a thick layer of marshmallow icing sandwiched between old-fashioned graham cracker cookies. And since the folks at Hendricks show great restraint in only dipping half of…
By the Book: Matt Seiter’s Blue Steel
Call me a cheater, but this week, I didn’t prepare recipes for By the Book in a home kitchen. I did them on location at Sanctuaria; its cocktail program is the subject of its bar manager Matt Seiter’s new cocktail book Sanctuaria: The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars. I chose to prepare Blue Steel, a gin-based…
The Scoop: Tracking a trio of chefs
Three area chefs are making newsworthy moves. First, Bob Brazell has been hired as executive chef at Gringo, a Mexican eatery expected to open in mid-April at 398 N. Euclid Ave., in the Central West End. Brazell, promoted from his current position as kitchen manager at Pi Pizzeria’s newest location downtown at the Mercantile Exchange,…
Stove Top Steak
2 servings
Mushroom and Cheese filling
• Warm the oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the mushrooms and garlic and saute for 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove to a plate to cool. • Once cool, combine the mushrooms with the next 4 ingredients. Stir to combine. Olive oil 4 oz. shiitake…
[Vegetarian] Sausage and Broccolini filling
• Warm the oil in a skillet set over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the sausage and saute until browned. With a slotted spoon, remove to a plate to cool. • In the same saute pan set over medium-high heat, saute the garlic, Broccolini and crushed red pepper for 1 to 2…
Chocolate Crostini
4 dozen crostini
[Vegetarian] Pepperoni filling
• Mix the ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. * Available at Whole Foods, 1160 Town & Country Crossing, Town & Country, 636.527.1160, wholefoodsmarket.com 4-oz. veggie pepperoni slices, minced* 8-oz. mozzarella pearls, minced 1¼ tsp. Italian seasoning 1 tsp. salt 1½ cups marinara sauce
[Vegetarian] Pepperoni and Sausage filling
• Warm the oil in a skillet set over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the sausage and saute until browned. With a slotted spoon, remove to a plate to cool. • Once cool, combine the sausage with the next 5 ingredients in a medium-size bowl. Stir to combine * Available at Whole…
Pizza Rolls
100 pizza rolls
Meatless Monday: Sweet Potato and Kale Pie
I love pies. They’re refreshing in the summer and comforting in the fall and winter. When spring finally arrives, they’re also the perfect way to welcome the warm weather. I love them with one crust, two crusts, stuffed with sweets or — like this recipe — stuffed with savory goodness for those days that sugar…
Owner’s Day Off: Steve and Jamie Komorek
Between owning and running Trattoria Marcella and Marcella’s Mia Sorella, Steve (left) and Jamie Komorek are busy men. So what do the brothers do when they get a moment to themselves? They keep on running – together. For the past 14 years, the Komoreks, who live across the street from one another, have been logging…
How to make the perfect homemade steak
Save yourself the money and trouble of a reservation this Valentine’s Day, and instead make your better half swoon over a homemade steak. Step 1: Open the windows and turn on the hood! This gets smoky. Next, let 2 boneless rib-eye steaks rest at room temperature for about 1 hour on paper towels to remove…
Review: Marcella’s Mia Sorella in Ballwin
Used to be that cheap Asian buffets, sports bars, pizza joints and chain eateries were as good as it got when it came to West County dining. Sure, there were a few stellar options (Hello, Annie Gunn’s.), but for the most part, foodie suburbanites had to drive 20-plus miles toward the Arch to experience the…
Review: Bar Les Frères in Clayton
Bar Les Frères, which was unveiled in November by Zoe Pidgeon (think Bobo Noodle House and I Fratellini) on the fashionable little commercial strip of Wydown Boulevard near downtown Clayton, is considerably less cordial than its moniker (French for “the brothers’ bar”) would have you believe. But then again, maybe it isn’t. On a weekend…
Granny Smith Apple and Daikon Kimchi
20 servings
Easy Traditional Kimchi
• Distribute the sea salt among the cabbage quarters, sprinkling salt between each leaf. Transfer the cabbage to a large bowl and fill with enough cold water to cover. Let soak for 2 hours. Turn the cabbage so it soaks evenly in the salt water, then let it sit for another 2 hours. • While…
Kimchi Brussels Sprouts
• To make the brine, place the water and salt in a large pot, and bring it to a boil. • Place the Brussels sprouts, carrots and radishes in a large bowl. Pour the hot brine over the vegetables, and let sit at room temperature, loosely covered, overnight. • Drain the vegetables, discarding the brine. •…
Kimchi is trending in St. Louis restaurants
In the worlds of food and fashion, style is cyclical. It seems as though any trend, however strange and antiquated, eventually makes its way back into the spotlight. And kimchi, one of the most surprising restaurant trends du jour, has been waiting in the wings for centuries. Considering what kimchi is in its simplest form…
4 hot cocktails to sip this winter
Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. Who cares whether you throw on a chunky sweater, old-fashioned long johns or high-tech Gore-Tex. The style question that matters is what to drink to warm your insides. Here, four of the coolest hot tipples in town. GlühweinDrink deeply from this scented, ruby red house-made German mulled wine.…
Make this: homemade pizza rolls
February is a time of love and laurels. On that first Sunday, we’ll celebrate our country’s love of passing the pigskin and the sport’s ultimate accomplishment: raising that golden football high in the sky. A week later, with the sounds of whistles still ringing in our ears, we’ll gather for the music industry’s mecca, squealing…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Finding calm at Sanctuaria before the big show
In our February issue, we offer a foursome of hot drinks to warm your insides against the cold of winter. This weekend, we suggest one more heated elixir – not just because it’s tasty and original but because the bartending performance is a darned good show – perfect on a weekend when social plans are…
3 surprising ways to cook with chocolate
When the Day of Love is over, you’re usually stuck with a lighter wallet and a box of half-eaten chocolates. This year, don’t bring the sweet stuff to work or bake it into measly ol’ cookies; put that cocoa gold to work on the savory side of the kitchen. Chopped, melted or luxuriously spread, here…
Chad Rensing’s life with swine
Everyone loves hearing that the pork they ate was once a happy hog. But what about the farmer? THIS GUY IS A HOG MANChad Rensing is a 37-year-old, second-generation hog farmer. Things have never been easy on the 300-acre farm in New Douglas, Ill., that his parents established some 40 years ago. But 2012 was…
