5 top St. Louis carryout restaurants (and what to binge-watch while you eat)
Whether it’s date night or refuse-to-put-on-pants night, winter evenings permit a little extra laziness. Maybe we should be gallivanting, but sub-freezing temps have us choosing Netflix-and-chill over out-on-the-town night after snow-covered night. Ordering in doesn’t have to mean frozen pizza and binge watching “The Office” for the 47th time (not that there’s anything wrong with…
NYC chef David Burke will open Grand Tavern in Grand Center
A famed East Coast chef will soon set up shop in Grand Center. New York-based ESquared Hospitality announced in a statement today, Feb. 28, that it has partnered with chef David Burke to open Grand Tavern by David Burke in the upcoming Angad Arts Hotel in Grand Center this fall. St. Louis-based Lawrence Group is…
Recipe: Freekeh and Lentil Bowl
We eat a lot of rice and beans at home: black, red or baked beans, all paired with white, yellow or brown rice. We may be the Bubba Gump of rice and beans, but it’s good to switch things up. With many interesting grains more readily available now, I got the chance to explore them a few…
First Look: Growler USA in St. Charles
St. Charles residents don’t need to travel far for their favorite St. Louis brews. Growler USA opened last week at 3833 Elm St., and is now pouring from more than 100 taps. Co-owners Nicholas and Jody Hester have lived in the St. Charles area for 15 years and began the process of owning a franchise about…
First Look: Wellspent Brewing Co. in Midtown
St. Louis welcomes another brewery Friday, March 2, when Wellspent Brewing Co. opens doors at 2917 Olive St. Kyle and Angela Kohlmorgen spent most of 2017 building out the 7-barrel brewery, which features a tasting room, kitchen, barrel room and spacious patio. Kyle, a former homebrewer turned professional, said the Midtown space housed the Bonanza Theater…
4 Hands prepares to launch 1220 Artisan Spirits
The folks at 4 Hands Brewing Co. are celebrating its sixth anniversary this spring by premiering its new distillery project, 1220 Artisan Spirits. Owner Kevin Lemp said the brand is scheduled to debut in April or May with Origin, an American-style gin and its complementary 1220 Tonic. The distillery has been in the works for…
Scarecrow will move to former Weber’s Front Row in Chesterfield
Chesterfield restaurant Scarecrow will move to a new home this March. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, Scarecrow will take the former Weber’s Front Row space at 101 Chesterfield Towne Centre, about 5 miles away from its current location at 1095 Chesterfield Parkway. With their lease term ending, co-owners Shawn and Lynn Mulholland decided it…
Old Herald Brewing, Ardent Spirits will open in Collinsville
A new brewery and distillery will set up shop just across the river. Construction starts next month on Old Herald Brewing Co. at 115 E. Clay St., in Collinsville. Co-owner Derik Reiser said the beer will be brewed under the Old Herald Brewing Co. moniker, while the spirits will be produced under the name Ardent…
Texas de Brazil location will open in the Galleria
Brazilian steakhouse Texas de Brazil plans to open a new dine-in location on the first level of the Saint Louis Galleria, in the space that previously housed Mexican eatery Casa Del Mar. According to Hannah Thompson, director of marketing and PR for the Texas de Brazil franchise, the churrascaria restaurant will offer a variety of…
6 STL-area chefs, restaurants earn James Beard nominations
It’s that time of year again. The James Beard Foundation announced its list of semifinalists for its annual awards recognizing chefs and restaurants today, Feb. 15, and once again, St. Louis’ food scene was well represented with six nominations, including some first-timers. Vicia was nominated for Best New Restaurant. “It’s a huge honor. It was something we hoped…
Budget Crunch: 8 delicious deals for (almost) $10 or less
Got $10 and a friend? Then contributor Kevin Korinek has 8 tasty deals you must have now. 1. This Valentine’s Day deal at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is slightly above our normal limit, so make sure your special someone can chip in. Get a $15 ice-cream bouquet of chocolate for two today, Feb, 14. The bouquet includes two waffle cones topped…
Recipe: Steak with Compound Butter Pan Sauce
When our non-carnivorous daughter comes home from college, it evens the household omnivore-to-vegetarian ratio to 2-to-2. There’s a lot more plant-based “steak” on our table during school breaks, but sometimes you just need to dig into a nice steak with compound butter. Combine it with white wine and Dijon mustard for a great – and…
Vernon’s BBQ closes for good in U. City
Vernon’s BBQ & Catering at 6707 Vernon Ave., in University City, has closed for business. The barbecue joint, which opened in 2012, had its last day of service Tuesday, Feb. 6. “Basically, our lease came to term, and we decided not to renew,” said co-owner Matt Stiffelman said. “We just didn’t like the terms.” Vernon’s…
Recipe: Strawberry-Filled Hostess Cupcakes
Hostess CupCakes are a source of nostalgia for many, and I’m sure purists won’t appreciate my messing with a classic. Still, I’ve always wondered what I could do with different flavors of filling, so I infused the sugary marshmallow with pulverized Trader Joe’s freeze-dried strawberries. These are extremely potent – the flavor is just as…
First Look: Brick River Cider in downtown St. Louis
Brick River Cider Co., the first cider works in the St. Louis area, is set to open on Friday, Feb. 16, at 2000 Washington Ave. downtown. As The Scoop reported in April, owner Russ John renovated a former firehouse downtown to launch the cidery. The facility currently produces four ciders in its six 60-barrel fermenters:…
9 Mardi Gras recipes perfect for partying all weekend
We all love Mardi Gras, from the beads to the booze to the food. This year, get a little closer to New Orleans with nine recipes inspired by the city’s rich culinary traditions. With food this good, it’s easy to let the good times roll. 1. Recipe: Cajun Pasta 2. Recipe: Josh Galliano’s Crawfish Bread 3.…
Urban Harvest STL announces plans for third rooftop garden
Urban Harvest STL and the Kranzberg Arts Foundation have partnered to develop a new rooftop garden atop the KAF’s newest venue, the .ZACK building at 3224 Locust St., in Midtown. Urban Harvest executive director Mary Ostafi said construction will begin March 24 and the first seeds planted by mid-April. Ostafi said the collaboration furthers Urban…
9 delivery apps that bring your favorite restaurants to you
When it’s spitting ice outside or you just don’t want to talk to another human being, these apps let your order your favorite warm (or cold) dishes at the tap of a button. You just have to get to the door and tip the driver, but don’t worry – you can take the blanket with…
First Look: Del Pietro’s in Richmond Heights
Del Pietro’s, the latest from restaurateur Michael Del Pietro, opened on Wed., Jan. 31, at 1059 S. Big Bend Blvd., in Richmond Heights. The restaurant is an homage to the original Del Pietro’s House of Pasta, opened by Michael Del Pietro’s parents, Michael Sr. and Mary Rose, in 1976 in South City. The new Del…
First Look: Small Change in Benton Park
Small Change, the neighborhood bar from the folks behind Planter’s House, opened quietly on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 2800 Indiana Ave. in Benton Park. Small Change, named after a Tom Waits record, combines qualities of a dive bar and a cocktail bar. There’s no food per se, just a couple vending machines to dispense bar snacks…
9 game day-worthy recipes for your Super Bowl party
We’re nearing the end zone: the Super Bowl is approaching. Shouting at the television takes a lot of energy, and if you’re wondering what to feed the group of rabid fans crowding your couch, wonder no more. All you have left to do is prepare your touchdown dance. 1. Recipe: Lemon-Pepper Chicken Wings 2. Recipe: Macho Vegan Cauliflower…
Review: J’s Pitaria in Bevo Mill
J’s Pitaria in the Bevo Mill neighborhood is one of a handful of Bosnian restaurants that emerged on the scene last year. St. Louis is home to a large Bosnian population, and many of us are long overdue on getting hip to the country’s culinary delights, which offer an enticing combination of West and East.…
Volcanic Mt. Etna wines bring the heat
The first time I opened a bottle of wine from Mt. Etna in Sicily, I smelled smoke. My first strange but enticing sip of volcanic wine – light red wine laced with the metallic smolder of a live coal – won me over. Unfortunately, the romance of that meeting was a lie. “Yeah, that blows…
Eat This: Gnocchi at Five Bistro
On a menu that rotates almost daily, the gnocchi at Five Bistro appear often – and we’re eternally grateful they do. These delicate nuggets hold within their thin, shell-like exteriors airy potato that’s more fluff than mash. Whether served alongside an entree or snuggled in a rich ragu as the star of the first course,…
Review: The Mad Crab in University City
At the shellfish-in-a-bag restaurant, The Mad Crab, you’ll make the biggest mess eating in public since you were a toddler. The good news is you won’t be alone, because the 5,000-square-foot space has been packed with diverse crowds of equally messy seafood lovers since it opened late last summer. The bad news? With plastic cups…
8 things we’re obsessed with right now
From a vegan schmear to a summery shrub, here’s what’s at the top of our shopping list right now. 1. Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese-Style SpreadRich, tangy and oh-so-smooth, this almond-based vegan spread will woo even the most ardent turophile.$6. Whole Foods, multiple locations, wholefoodsmarket.com 2. Cocktail Kingdom MixtinThis vacuum-insulated, stainless-steel pitcher ensures consistent temperatures while…
Break out the Valentine’s Day bubbly with A to Z Wineworks Bubbles
A to Z Wineworks Bubbles comes in a beautiful clear glass bottle with a white painted label and crown cork (classic beer bottle cap). Beyond fun packaging, the rich pink, 90-percent pinot noir, 10-percent Chardonnay Valentine’s Day sipper is delightful – dry with great berry aromas, mellow texture and bubbles that jump around in the…
4 new places in St. Louis to try this February
1. Billie-Jean 7610 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, 314.797.8484, billiejeanstl.com Zoe Robinson’s restaurants have long been at the top of every local gourmand’s go-to list, and her latest, Billie-Jean, looks to continue that tradition. Located just down the block from Robinson’s I Fratellini and Bar Les Frères, the exterior of Billie-Jean is a study in elegant understatement.…
Chocolate and cherry pie beer and chocolate win Valentine’s Day
February means chocolate, and chocolate means beer. Pair this year’s box with a bottle of Crooked Stave Mama Bear’s Sour Cherry Pie. This barrel-aged dark sour beer offers aromatics of funk, leather, spice and sour fruit that balance harmoniously with tasting notes of wood, earth, roasted grain and vibrant tart cherry. Effervescence and tannins pull…
What I Do: Josh Charles, a St. Louis freelance chef
Four years ago, then-23-year-old Josh Charles was a Sauce One to Watch at Elaia and Olio. He went on to prove his mettle as executive chef at Element, then Blood & Sand. But when his son, Aiden, was born, Charles suddenly found his restaurant career at odds with family life – so he quit. Today,…
Limited-edition El Dorado Rum blends three rums in vintage stills
El Dorado Master Blender’s Special Edition Rum is one of our favorite spirits. The powerhouse limited release is a blend of three rums distilled from vintage stills. Aged 10 years, it jumps out of the glass with caramel, cotton candy, nut, baking spices, brown butter, toffee, coffee and light tobacco. It has a long finish…
Brown Pan Sauce
Makes about 1 1/4 cup
Red Sauce
Makes about 6 cups
Green Sauce
Makes about 2 cups
Bechamel
Makes about 3 cups
Yellow Sauce
Makes about 2 cups
River’s Edge Social will open in St. Louis Hills next month
River’s Edge Social will soon fire up the stoves at 6997 Chippewa St., in the former Johnny Gitto’s location. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, Aurel Bardho, who co-owns the restaurant with his father, Fatmir Bardho, said he hopes to open sometime in March. Owning his own place has long been Aurel Bardho’s aspiration. “Pretty…
