Recipe: Goat Cheese and Walnut Endive Cups
I know it’s not spring, I know there are not a lot of parties right now, but this dish calls for inviting over a few folks and pouring a little libation. Shake up a gin cocktail or open a crisp white wine and toast to things fresh, green, sweet and crisp. I would also serve…
Recipe: Cast-Iron Peach Cobbler
It’s a frigid December afternoon, the wind is whipping at my face, and I’m in my backyard huddled over a kettle of white hot coals, watching the crust form on a fruit cobbler I’m desperately hoping won’t burn. Though I love outdoor cooking even in arctic temps, I typically avoid baking – too much exact…
First Look: The Eatery food hall in downtown St. Louis
The Eatery, downtown’s first food hall, opened its doors today, Jan. 29, on the ground floor of One Metropolitan Square. The location, formerly home to Kemoll’s, was vacant since 2009 when that restaurant moved to the top floor of the building. After a $2.5 million renovation of the 10,000 square-foot space, it’s now home to…
Four St. Louis-area businesses win Good Food Awards
The winners of the 2018 Good Food Awards, which honors businesses committed to socially and environmentally conscious food, were announced on Jan. 19. This year, four local purveyors took home awards, proving that St. Louis is more than just good at good food. Blueprint Coffee, Larder & Cupboard, Perennial Artisan Ales and Still 630 Distillery…
Owner Adam Tilford discusses Milagro closing, possible new locations
Milagro Modern Mexican at 20 Allen Ave., in Webster Groves will close its doors after eight years. Tilford Restaurant Group owners and brothers Adam and Jason Tilford are looking for a new place for the restaurant to call home. The current location will close Saturday, March 24 after dinner service. Adam Tilford said the restaurant’s location…
First Look: Hamburger Mary’s in downtown St. Louis
Three years after the first incarnation in Midtown closed, Hamburger Mary’s is back with a vengeance – this time downtown. The current St. Louis location of the national chain, under new ownership, opened on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 400 Washington Ave., downtown. With its mix of over-the-top drag performances, decor heavy on glitter and glam…
Volpi will open a dine-in cafe on The Hill
Volpi Foods retail market at 5257 Daggett Ave. on The Hill will soon offer cafe seating to enjoy the store’s famous house-made meats onsite. The new area will debut on Friday, Feb. 9. Store manager Kimberly Cook said the space underwent an extensive renovation last year, and the in-store dining idea developed as an offshoot of that…
Twisted Roots Brewing Co. will open this spring in Midtown
Another brewery will soon make beer in Midtown. Twisted Roots Brewing Co. is set to open this spring at 3690 Forest Park Ave., once the home to Falstaff Brewing, Six Row Brewing Co. and Pappo’s Pizza, as reported by the Riverfront Times. “We’ve been brewers by trade for a number of years working for other…
City Foundry STL Food Hall locks in first 7 local restaurants
The first group of Food Hall tenants at City Foundry STL, the sprawling 15-acre mixed-use development at 3700 Forest Park Ave.,in Midtown, have been announced. Brad Beracha, director of culinary services for The Lawrence Group, which is developing the project, said all occupants will be from the St. Louis area and include a mix of…
Water Street, Wasabi downtown announce closures
Water Street in Maplewood will close up shop at the end of the month after almost seven years. According to a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Tuesday, Jan. 30, will be the last day of service. Water Street opened in April 2011 with owner Gabe Kveton running the bar and the front of the…
Growler USA will open first area location in St. Charles
Beer lovers out west will soon have another place to indulge their hops habit. Owners Nicholas and Jody Hester will open a new location of Colorado-based beer pub chain Growler USA next month at 3833 Elm St. “We want to be a part of the local beer scene by having as many local beers as possible…
3 more St. Louis food events to devour this weekend
There a plenty of ways to dig in this weekend from progressive dinners in Lafayette Square to a kilted Burns Night celebration. Here are three more events for those still peckish: 1. Schlafly Winter Farmers MarketShop greens, turnips, scallions and other fresh produce from local famers growing midwinter, as well as local meats and cheeses, baked goods…
Upcoming pot sticker restaurant Crispy Edge hires exec chef
Crispy Edge is edging closer to opening. Tori Foster has been tapped to fill the executive chef role at the pot sticker eatery, which is set to open at 4168 Juniata St. in Tower Grove later this spring. Owner David Dresner said Foster’s academic credentials and passion for all types of food made her the…
Budget Crunch: 8 delicious deals for $10 or less
Got $10 and a friend? Then contributor Kevin Korinek has 8 delicious deals to try now. 1. Happy hour equals family hour this month at Pastaria in Clayton. Snag the kids from school or practice and head to the Clayton eatery from 3:30 to 6 p.m., when everything on the kids menu is half off and a Margherita or pepperoni…
First Look: Casa Juárez Mexican Town in Maryland Heights
Casa Juárez Mexican Town, a sprawling new concept from the folks behind Chihuahua’s Mexican Restaurant, opens its doors for dinner tonight, Jan. 22, at 12710 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. The Casa Juárez menu has plenty of south-of-the-border favorites, from gourmet tacos to enchiladas to nachos, along with items not usually associated with a Mexican…
8 can’t-miss beers at Urban Chestnut’s Wolpertinger Festival
Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. marks its seventh birthday tomorrow, Jan., 21, with its annual Wolpertinger Festival. If you’re unfamiliar with this annual celebration, snag a ticket online tonight or at the door tomorrow (if you can!) and head to UCBC’s Grove Brewery and Bierhall from 1 to 5 p.m. for a hell of a great…
First Look: Court Louie food truck court in Tower Grove South
St. Louis’ first food truck court, Court Louie, officially opens for business at 4001 Utah St. in Tower Grove South on Saturday, Jan. 20. The court will be the semi-permanent home for four area trucks: Farmtruk, Go! Gyro! Go!, Steak Louie and Locoz Tacoz. As The Scoop reported in June 2017, Court Louie is the brainchild…
Longtime chef Joseph Hemp V steps down at Robust Wine Bar
Chef Joseph Hemp V is leaving his post as executive chef of Robust Wine Bar and Snax Gastrobar. His last service will be Feb. 14. Hemp began his tenure with Robust owners Stanley and Arlene Maminta Browne in 2012 as executive chef at the Robust Webster Groves location. He took over the kitchen at the…
McArthur’s Bakery will close location on Olive in Chesterfield
The McArthur’s Bakery Café location at 13700 Olive Blvd., will close its doors for good Sunday, Jan. 21. Owner Scott Rinaberger made the announcement in a Facebook post today, Jan. 18, citing changes to its online ordering and delivery platform: “Imagine: it’s just two hours before your big celebration. You’re rushing around, getting everything ready,…
Recipe: New Year, New You Smoothie
This has been my breakfast almost every day for more than a month. Sure, I alter it: I add a leaf of kale or a handful of spinach if I want to impress others with how healthy I am (or pick stuff out of my teeth all day), or maybe a teaspoon of fresh ginger…
Pappy’s Mike Emerson joins the Guerrilla Street Food crew
Guerrilla Street Food has teamed up with an industry veteran to help them expand their Filipino street food empire. Mike Emerson, co-founder of Pappy’s Smokehouse, joined the GSF team as a consultant as they grow their brand. “I originally reached out to Mike just to ask some advice on what to look for when trying…
Tiny Italian eatery Parm Pasta & Sandwich Co. will open on Cherokee
Chalk up another restaurant for Cherokee Street. As reported by the Riverfront Times, Parm Pasta & Sandwich Co. is scheduled to open its doors this week at 2619½ Cherokee St., in the original Teatopia space. “We’re shooting (to open) either Jan. 15 or 16,” said Sal D’Ippolito, who owns the shop with his daughter, Diane…
Blood & Sand hires chef Brian Coltrain, opens to public Monday and Tuesday
Members-only Blood & Sand has a new executive chef. Chef Brian Coltrain quietly assumed leadership of the kitchen in late November, according to general manager Sean Coltrain, who is also Brian’s brother. Brian Coltrain has spent time in many of the area’s top kitchen, including Element, Niche and Guerrilla Street Food. Most recently he helped…
Ferguson Brewing Co. owners will open a pizzeria
Baked Wood-Fired Pizzeria, a new restaurant from the folks behind Ferguson Brewing Co., will open in mid-February at 235 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson. “It’ll be wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, salads, appetizers and a full bar,” said co-owner Robb Wiesen, who is also general manager of Ferguson Brewing Co. “We’re capturing a niche with the wood-fired…
Sen Thai moves to new Washington Avenue spot next week
Sen Thai Asian Bistro is heading to new digs downtown. The restaurant, which has been located in the Shell Building at 1221 Locust St. since 2002, will move to 1000 Washington Ave., the space that most recently housed Prime 1000. Manager Nuttamon Pongmanawut said this Saturday, Jan. 13, will be the last day of service…
Recipe: Sheet-Pan Gnocchi and Veggies
Baked writer Amrita Song swaps sugar for sheet pans in her new recipe column. Each month, she’ll create a complete meal on one sheet pan, saving valuable post-meal clean up time. Don’t worry your sweet tooth, though – Baked will still feature show-stopping desserts once a month. Most people boil gnocchi for a quick meal,…
Steamed bun shop Bao will open in Clayton
Clayton will soon be home to a restaurant specializing in Chinese steamed buns. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, the aptly named Bao (short for baozi, the Chinese word for steamed bun) is scheduled to open later this month at 14 N. Central Ave., in the former location of Coastal Bistro. Co-owner R.J. Xu said…
The Libertine will close for good this weekend
The Libertine has announced doors will close this weekend. In a Facebook post, owners Nick and Audra Luedde said the Clayton eatery’s last night of service will be Saturday, Jan. 6: “We will be ending operations as The Libertine so as to focus our collective efforts on a brand new restaurant concept that we will…
Shack will open in Creve Coeur and O’Fallon, Mo.
Shack will expand in a big way this year. The popular local breakfast and lunch chain will open four Missouri locations in Creve Coeur, O’Fallon, Overland Park and Kansas City, according to Brant Baldanza, managing partner of OG Hospitality Group. “After we opened Frontenac and Chesterfield, we knew we were on to something,” Baldanza said.…
Gioia’s Deli will open third location in Creve Coeur
Good news for sandwich fans: Gioia’s Deli will set up shop in West County in the new year. The popular sandwich shop will open a Creve Coeur location at 623 N. New Ballas Road by April 1, according to co-owner Alex Donley. Gioia’s food truck has hit the Creve Coeur area since 2014, and Donley…
Review: Pangea in St. Charles
I remember Jessie Gilroy as the badass in Cucina Pazzo’s open kitchen – slinging pans over plumes of fire, barking commands to line cooks and jumping in to help. That was back when I reviewed the place in 2014. The then-28-year-old Gilroy was chef de cuisine when she made Sauce’s 2015 Ones to Watch list.…
What I Do: Heidi Hamamura of Guerrilla Street Food
Heidi Hamamura’s culinary education started when she absorbed her father, chef Naomi Hamamura’s, knowledge of sushi, Japanese and French fare in their kitchen after school. Since then, she has made a career out of exploring new cuisines: Italian with Jamey Trochtop at Stellina, Malaysian and Chinese with Bernie Lee at Hiro Asian Kitchen and modernist…
10 new places to try in St. Louis in January
1. Louie 706 Demun Ave., Clayton, 314.300.8188, louiedemun.com Anyone who still raves about King Louie’s – 10 years after its closing – has probably dined at Louie multiple times by now. But newbies will also make plans for a return visit before their first is even finished. The latest venture from Matt McGuire, former owner…
Eat This: Cheese wraps at Vietnam Style
Editor’s note: Vietnam Style has closed. Crab Rangoon. Crab puffs. Cheese wontons. Call them what you will, these creamy delights are a surefire crowd-pleaser. But the version called cheese wraps served at Vietnam Style, well, they’re really special. Just one bite of these crispy wonton pinwheels bursting with a thick, custardy cream cheese and rich crabmeat…
The Gin Room’s Mulled Sloe Gin Cocktail
8 servings
Ones to Watch 2018: Hana Chung
Line Cook, Vista Ramen Age: 30 Why Watch Her: She’s cooking circles around all the dudes in town. If the restaurant inside Hana Chung’s mind was a dinner party, you’d so want that invite. The table would be crowded with everyone from her Korean-born parents to her pizzaolo husband and the buddies she’s met inside…
Chef Tour: Ashley Rouch of Union Loafers
Ashley Rouch always knew she’d work in a kitchen. “I was always fascinated with food,” she said. After stints at Baileys’ Chocolate Bar and Pint Size Bakery, Rouch is transitioning from her job as Reeds American Table’s executive pastry chef to the bread baking team at Union Loafers Café and Bread Bakery this month. Her…
Ones to Watch 2018: Patrick Seibold and Alec Schingel
Sous Chefs, ViciaAges: 33Why Watch Them: The best new restaurant in St. Louis couldn’t run without them. To be the best, you’ve got to have direction. Aside from growing up in Illinois and working as Vicia sous chefs, that’s perhaps the biggest thing Patrick Seibold and Alec Schingel have in common: a lodestar commitment to…
Why you should sip sloe gin now
Sometimes two wrongs make a right – at least in the case of sloe gin. The ruby-hued cousin of your classic martini-maker is a 17th-century result of inedible sloes (a berry that grows on blackthorn hedgerows all over the U.K.) being steeped in undrinkable homemade gin with some sugar thrown in. Early versions surely got…
Ones to Watch 2018: Bryan Russo
Chef de Cuisine, PúblicoAge: 27Why Watch Him: His hands are in the fire, but his head is in the books. You could say Bryan Russo’s career started at Taco Bell. He did, after all, snag a job at the fast-food chain with his bandmates in high school, leading him to ditch music and sign up…
Review: Extra Brut in Clayton
Pushing through Extra Brut’s heavy wood door, marked simply with an EB, reveals an unexpected, dimly lit corridor beside the bright windows of sister restaurant Louie’s Wine Dive. At the end of the speakeasy-style entrance lined with empty wine racks is a well-dressed host welcoming you and the rest of the Real Housewives through a…
Ones to Watch 2018: Eric Tirone
Head Butcher and Sous Chef at Truffles ButcheryAge: 27Why Watch Him: He was a born butcher. What do you do if your kid tells you he likes cutting raw meat? Hide the knives? If you’re Eric Tirone’s family, you start buying whole chickens. Tirone’s older brother, Chris Tirone (a member of the Ones to Watch…
Ones to Watch 2018: Evy Swoboda
Chef de cuisine, PastariaAge: 26Why Watch Her: She’s the next big thing in the Niche Food Group empire. Fresh-faced, 17-year-old Evy Swoboda arrived at The Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks to accept a garde manger position on the word of a friend. There was just one problem: The chef had hired…
Stay warm this winter with Shared Coffee Shop Vibes
This year, I am resolving to drink more coffee. Fortunately, it’s a wonderful adjunct for wintery Imperial stouts. Shared Coffee Shop Vibes is how I’m starting 2018. There will be two variants, one made with Mexican beans and one with Colombian, both from local roaster Sump Coffee. The beers are pure velvet – decadent with…
