Scorsese stands to capitalize on Hollywood’s history of collaboration
Many, many, many years ago, pretty much anyone in Hollywood who was considered a “movie star” was attached to one major studio, cranking out film after film, year after year. Those were the days of contract players; you knew that if it was a Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney picture, it was made at MGM. Errol Flynn…
Guilty Pleasures: Low-brow foods star on Super Bowl Sunday
Once a year, friends don warm sweaters and sports jerseys, ready their battle cries and sojourn to the homes of friends and family to partake of culinary delights featuring melted Velveeta cheese, chili and a dizzying array of dips. Oh, yes. There’s football involved, too. Traditionally, though, Super Bowl food is the stuff parties are…
A Sip of Sophistication: Cocktail menus reflect dining trends across the country
Across the country, style spills into martini glasses in the form of hip mixed drinks. St. Louis bartenders keep up by keeping tabs on bars and clubs in fashion-forward cities across the country. They do their research online, in print or – perhaps the best way to “work” – in person. Prior to the opening…
Take it Slow: Thousands descend on Turin, Italy, to discuss the uncertain future of food
When strolling the fluorescent aisles of your local mega mart, the future may indeed look bright, but look closer. We’re satisfying our hunger, but a growing number of people are worried that the food we choose to eat does not properly nourish our bodies. Nor does it support an economic model that respects the ecosystem…
Diverse and Delicious: Flatbreads enjoy a worldwide following
St. Louis is an ethnic culinary haven where an adventurous diner can satisfy a global hunger at restaurants as diverse as Indian, Nepalese, Mexican, Peruvian, Bosnian, Greek and pan-Latin. But this was not always true of the Gateway City. Back in the 1960s, my dad took me to St. Raymond’s Marionite Cathedral Downtown for one…
Review: Mandarin in St. Louis
Guy’s perspective With apologies to the Beastie Boys, I blame 2 Live Crew. The group’s 1989 censors’-wrath-incurring “The F–k Shop” opened a Pandora’s box of mixing hip-hop beats with existing rock-pop guitar riffs. In the song, 2 Live Crew raps with an 808 kick drum over guitar riffs from Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’…
Review: Franco in St. Louis
Recently I mourned the loss (now in your best Forrest Gump voice) – AGAIN – of a longtime friend and traveling companion. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, what I can only assume was a rogue band of villainous ruffians stole away with my car. A relationship that I had poured my heart,…
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Chowder
7 to 8 cups
Honey-Wheat-Oatmeal Bread
1 loaf
Here’s the scoop on those ‘winner’ medals on wine labels
With all due respect to the bench, the responsibility of deciding lawsuits, leases, contracts and other disputes pales in comparison to the pressure of sitting in a room of experienced wine judges. After careful tasting and amid sometimes heated debate, wine judges must decide which wines deserve the acclaim and respect that winning a major…
Authentically Irish rashers and bangers headline at The Dubliner
Thanks to the Irish flag proudly displayed outside, you can’t miss The Dubliner, one of the newest eating establishments on Washington Avenue. This Irish pub is open and spacious with high ceilings and a large, central bar. For more privacy, head to one of the high-backed booths toward the rear. Or, if you’re looking for…
Nutritional Building Blocks: Child care centers balance healthful eating with tight budgets
With a growing toddler at home, South County resident Emily McCay focuses on offering her family a variety of healthful foods. However, when her daughter attended a local day care center, McCay quickly discovered the school’s idea of a balanced meal was quite different from her own. Instead of fresh produce and meats, her daughter…
Luxurious soups start with a velvety velouté base
Just in case the point of my last column wasn’t clear, I’ll say it again: Homemade chicken stock is akin to liquid gold. This doesn’t mean you should keep your reserves under lock and key, only doling them out on special occasions or when good company happens to be in town. In fact, now is…
Take the chill off with something complex, simple or spicy
The boiling point of ethanol (grain alcohol) is 173 degrees Fahrenheit. That may not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “warm cocktails,” but perhaps it should be. If you heat your beverages above that point, you may as well drink tea. When I think warm beverages, coffee drinks come to…
Home-milled flour retains all of grain’s wholesomeness
Most home bakers don’t go to the lengths Denise Wissman does to make breads, muffins, pizza dough and pancakes. When Wissman wants to bake something, she doesn’t reach for a store-bought sack of flour. Instead, she pulls out her Vita-Mix high-speed blender, attaches the dry-ingredients blade and container, and adds three cups of whole grains.…
Dave Bailey’s new eatery means he’s busy morning, noon and night
When Dave Bailey was in college at Saint Louis University, he couldn’t decide what he wanted to do. He studied math, music and the arts before graduating with a degree in communications. But it was what he did when he wasn’t in the classroom that would change his life forever. “I had jobs waiting tables…
