Salt & Smoke to open in St. Charles
Popular barbecue purveyor Salt & Smoke is headed west. Owner Tom Schmidt said he bought a building at 501 S. Main Street in St. Charles to house location number three. “It was Winery of the Little Hills for more than 20 years,” Schmidt said. “The building was built in the 1880s, so it’s a national…
3 new clean, balanced brews perfect for St. Louis summer
It’s full on summer in St. Louis, and while everyone gears up for their Fourth of July weekend, camping getaways and and other summer shenanigans, make sure you stock your fridge with group-pleasing suds. Here are a few suggestions for some go-to clean, balanced, thirst-quenching beers that will please even the pickiest drinker. 1. St.…
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Brennan’s owner Kevin Brennan releases state-of-the-art Durango Humidor
The Durango Humidor keeps cigars at perfect humidity with almost no effort. Conceptualized by Kevin Brennan of Brennan’s and DurangoCigars.com and designed in digital 3D by Martin Goebel of Goebel Furniture, this “smart” humidor offers a modern, timeless design with exceptional functionality. A hidden climate sensor chip inside the Durango Humidor links to your smartphone…
Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Belly Fried Rice
Everyone needs this savory, fatty dish in their lives. Crispy pork belly on a bed of fried rice cooked in pork belly fat is heavy, indulgent and delicious. The rice is lightly tossed in soy sauce and veggies, and the pork belly adds a nice chew to the whole dish. Pork Belly Fried RiceInspired by…
Pinky’s Ice Cream & Snow Cone Parlor now open in the CWE
Pinky’s Ice Cream & Snow Cone Parlor aims to cool off the Central West End this summer. As reported by the Riverfront Times, Pinky’s Ice Cream & Snow Cone Parlor opened doors June 2 at 364 N. Boyle Ave. Owners Randy Terrell and Ebony Armstead named the shop after Terrell’s 8-year-old daughter, Sophia, who is nicknamed…
4 deals for $10 or less at Good News Brewing, Like Home and more
1. Nosh your way through the delightful smorgasbord that is Parker’s Table, the corner specialty food and drink shop that is anything but humdrum. The shelves are stacked high with meats from Salume Beddu and a collection of wine, beer and spirits. Right now, try the new Pampelonne canned wine spritzers for only $5. The…
Central West End Block closes, owner Marc Del Pietro will open 58 Hundred
The Block in the Central West End has served its last steak. As reported by Feast Magazine, the last day of service at the restaurant, located at 33 N. Sarah St., was Saturday, June 23. The restaurant opened in 2013. “Brian [Doherty, chef-owner] and I have been trying to buy the building for the last…
First Look: Lulu’s Pingpong Bar on South Grand
Evening revelers on South Grand has a new place to hang. Lulu’s Local Eatery at 3201 S. Grand Ave., debuts its second floor expansion, complete with bar and two pingpong tables today, June 25. As Sauce reported in May, co-owner Lauren “Lulu” Loomis wanted to add additional seating for the regular lunch and dinner crowd, and she…
Mike Arnold, owner of Gus Gus Fun Bus, dies from injuries after robbery
One of St. Louis’ greatest supporters is gone. Mike Arnold, owner of Gus Gus Fun Bus and a tireless proponent of local restaurants, breweries and other businesses, died on Thursday, June 21, from injuries sustained after he was hit by a car during a robbery on Saturday, June 16. He was 54. “Mike was a…
First Look: Good Buddy’s Tasty Soups & Sandwiches downtown
Good Buddy’s Tasty Soups & Sandwiches officially opens for business today, June 22, at 1115 W. Pine St., serving up lunchtime fare for downtown denizens. As Sauce reported in April, co-owners Justin Gibson and brothers Nathan and Luke Ragain partnered to open the shop. The menu boasts a tight selection of soups and sandwiches, like…
3 St. Louis spots to watch the World Cup
Whether or not you’re a fan, you’re probably aware that the World Cup is happening right now. Even though the United States is left out (of the games and the majority of the world that calls it football), you don’t have to miss the action. Check out these hot spots not only for the game,…
5 grilling tools Beast Craft BBQ David Sandusky can’t live without
David Sandusky made his mark on the local barbecue scene with his Belleville restaurant, Beast Craft BBQ, and he’ll soon be expanding across the river to The Grove neighborhood with Beast Butcher & Block, a combination restaurant, butcher shop and event space. While he’s a player in the pro ranks, Sandusky still feels an affinity…
Recipe: One-Skillet Chicken Dinner
I see you, Thursday night. You think I’m going to fold – buy a frozen pizza, hit a drive-thru, pretend popcorn is an acceptable dinner. Nope. Not today, Thursday. Today, we make a full dinner: protein, carb and veg, all with flavor and minimal clean up. One-Skillet Chicken DinnerMakes 2 hearty or 4 light servings…
Mothership inside Earthbound Beer will close Sunday
Mothership, the food concept inside Earthbound Beer run by Vista Ramen that debuted last fall, is shutting down. The last day of service will be Sunday, June 24. “We want to thank Earthbound for the opportunity,” said Vista Ramen and Mothership chef-owner Chris Bork. “We wish them the best.” Bork said Mothership will serve its…
Review: Parlor in The Grove
With respectable cocktails, an edgy hipster vibe and more than a dozen arcade games, Parlor in The Grove is the place to go if you want a night out that involves more than staring at your friends across a table. The large space is ringed by all the nostalgia-inducing arcade games you could want –…
Gluten-free brews from Microbrasserie Glutenberg are now available in St. Louis
Microbrasserie Glutenberg’s celiac-friendly brews have made their way to The Lou from Montreal. This French Canadian brewery does an incredible job utilizing gluten-free ingredients such as buckwheat, quinoa and millet to brew artistic expressions of traditional styles. The APA offers a classic citrus and piney hop presence, while the Blanche is a white ale spiced…
Capitalist Pig will close in Soulard
Capitalist Pig chef-owner Ron Buechele will shut down service at the popular lunchtime barbecue restaurant to focus on a new goal: returning to the St. Louis County police department. Buechele left the department after 20 years in 2006 to focus on Mad Art Gallery, which he opened in 2001 in a former city jail building…
Whisk bakery will launch popsicle food truck, Poptimism
Local bakery Whisk: A Sustainable Bake Shop is entering the bustling St. Louis food truck scene in the near-future with Poptimism, a craft ice pop truck. Whisk’s owner Kaylen Wissinger said this was an idea she had on the back burner for quite some time. “We finally found a food truck that fit our price,”…
Toast to Portlandia with a cherry-accented pinot noir
Quality Oregon pinot noir existed long before a certain TV series began. Portlandia Pinot Noir 2015 features cherry aromatics and pairs well with salmon, grilled seafood, mild cheeses or Grandma’s pork roast. This blend is reminiscent of a soda shop fountain Coke with cherry syrup. I have always believed wine should be fun, and this…
Ninth Street Deli moves to former Howard’s space in Soulard
Soulard’s Ninth Street Deli opened in the former Howard’s location at 2732 S. 13th St., yesterday, June 18, under a new moniker. For the previous 10 years, co-owners John and Angie Been’s newly named Ninth Street Deli at Howard’s occupied the space at 900 Shenandoah Ave. “This move was about getting bigger. Our customer base deserves…
Kevin Nashan to open second Peacemaker location in Tulsa
Chef Kevin Nashan will soon bring his Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co. concept south. Nashan has announced he’ll open a second location of his popular seafood joint in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September, as reported by the Post-Dispatch. “One of our customers lives in Tulsa and owns a bunch of property downtown and for the last year…
Tour legendary St. Louis barbecue joints with Beast Craft BBQ’s David Sandusky
David Sandusky is one of the new kids on the St. Louis barbecue block. The home of the pork steak and square-cut ribs has a long, vibrant history, joined more recently by a spate of chefs and owners with formal restaurant backgrounds and plenty of social media savvy like Sandusky. He left a career in…
Farmhaus’ Jake Sciales now helms Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood
A Sauce One To Watch is stepping out on his own. Jake Sciales from the class of 2017 has left his position as head chef at Farmhaus to run the kitchen at Spencer’s Grill at 223 S. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood. His last day at Farmhaus was Tuesday, June 5. Sciales, who’s from Kirkwood, has…
Wacked Out Weiner, The Corner Street Food open doors
It’s summertime, which means there are plenty of openings, closings and coming-soons to report. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the latest in the St. Louis restaurant scene: • The Corner Street Food had its grand opening on Saturday, June 16, at 2605 Washington Blvd. Husband-and-wife team Cornell and Jamila Boone are serving specialties…
Chef Cassy Vires heads to Claverach Farm
Chef Cassy Vires is once again behind the stoves full-time. Vires, who most recently managed the teaching kitchen at Companion, is now the chef at Claverach Farm. Her first dinner service was Saturday, June 16. Vires said she originally reached out to the Claverach team at the beginning of the year to see if they…
It’s 2 a.m. at Uncle Bill’s, St. Louis’ favorite diner
The diner – a uniquely American institution originally designed to look like a railroad dining car – continues to thrive by providing affordable, comforting food to the people. This year, Sauce readers have declared Uncle Bill’s Pancake & Dinner House, a joint known for its sprawling menu and round-the-clock service, their favorite diner in town.…
4 delicious deals for $10 or less at Nudo, VB Chocolate Bar and more
1. Nudo House is taking America by storm. After gracing the cover of Food & Wine, Food Network recently put its spicy miso ramen on its list of top 25 cheap eats in St. Louis. Nudo House feels the love, and now it’s giving some back. This month, beer is buy-one-get-one every day, and each…
Katie Collier’s 5 favorite dishes at Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria
Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria chef-owner Katie Collier has scaled the culinary heights by keeping things simple and letting her food do the talking. This less-is-more aesthetic has garnered her the title Chef of the Year for the second year in a row. “We like highlighting one specific ingredient and let it shine with good…
Reeds, Sardella land on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list
Wine Enthusiast’s yearly rundown of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants is out, and two of St. Louis’ top restaurants have garnered spots on the list: Reeds American Table and Sardella. The list is the culmination of a year’s worth of research by Wine Enthusiast editors, who scour the best restaurants in the country for superior wine…
Recipe: Roasted Blueberry Vanilla Pudding
We have many friends who live on the same street, so we tend to have impromptu dinner parties. As I get older, I’m more inclined toward fuss-free desserts. This one is perfect for summer. It’s a pudding instead of a custard, which means no messing with yolks. It’s delicately flavored with vanilla bean, and you…
Review: The Stellar Hog in South City
The Stellar Hog is a South City neighborhood barbecue joint straight out of central casting, complete with a glowing neon pig sign, a jukebox blaring Bob Seger tunes, $2 cans of Natural Light and a backyard beer garden littered with picnic tables. A devout crowd of locals line up outside the ramshackle old tavern in…
Roasted Blueberry Vanilla Pudding
4 servings
Chefs Patrick Russell, Tyler Davis will run The Chocolate Pig
The Chocolate Pig, an upcoming restaurant project from 23 City Blocks, officially has chefs at the helm. The hospitality group announced today, June 13, that it tapped Patrick Russell to be executive chef and Tyler Davis to be pastry chef. As Sauce reported in April, 23 City Blocks, which owns The Caramel Room at Bissinger’s, Handcrafted…
Industry vets take over management at Head’s Store at St. Albans
A group of industry vets have quietly stepped into a couple projects in recent months Head’s Store at St. Albans and Macklind Avenue Deli. Ices Plain & Fancy co-owner Max Crask, Cafe Provencal owner Eddie Neill, former Sugarfire Smokehouse pit master Casey Jovick and partner Rob Nunnally began managing Macklind Avenue Deli in March and recently teamed up…
What I Do: Victor Pham of VP Square and Cafe Mochi
Family drives all of Victor Pham’s decisions – from his mother’s insistence he flee Vietnam with his siblings in 1981 to the restaurants he runs in St. Louis. Pham originally found success as a hairdresser and businessman on South Grand, then used that entrepreneurial acumen to open Cafe Mochi with his brother and sister, Duncan…
Seoul Taco’s David Choi has built a Korean taco empire
In 2011, David Choi booked a one-way ticket to the East Coast to buy a food truck. The guy wanted $40,000 for it. “$18,000,” Choi said. “$35,000.” “$18,000,” he repeated, explaining that was everything he had. “About 30 minutes to an hour into our ride back to D.C., the guy called and said, ‘My wife…
Eat your way through St. Louis for less than $10
St. Louis has spoken; now it’s time to eat your way through the Sauce Readers’ Choice winners list. Luckily, from golden fried chicken to crisp veggie wraps, some favorites can be tried without breaking the bank. Everyone knows about Mission Taco Joint’s amazing $2 late-night tacos, which won both Favorite Tacos and Favorite Happy Hour.…
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Brennan’s Sammy Williams wins Central West End Cocktail Party comptetion
In the end, only one could prevail. Bartender Sammy Williams of Brennan’s won the top spot in the cocktail competition at the Central West End Cocktail Party yesterday, June 9, on Euclid Avenue between Maryland and McPherson avenues. Williams beat out seven other CWE bartenders in a three-round competition that culminated in a “Chopped”-style challenge…
Liliana’s Italian Kitchen will open in South County next month
South County will welcome Liliana’s Italian Kitchen in the former home of Molldeli’s Delicatessen at 11836 Tesson Ferry Road in Sappington the first weekend of July. Co-owners Tim and Kathy Pieri bought Molldeli’s in May and plan to integrate some of those sandwich recipes in the Liliana’s menu, which will feature items like pasta, pizza…
St. Louis chefs remember Anthony Bourdain, dead at 61
Chef, author and media personality Anthony Bourdain died today, June 8. According to CNN, the 61-year-old was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Paris, where he was filming an upcoming episode of his CNN show “Parts Unknown.” The network reported Bourdain died by suicide. Bourdain burst on the culinary scene in 1999 with his…
First Look: Levant in the Central West End
Levant opened June 1 at 386 N. Euclid Ave., in the Central West End, offering a new take on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fine dining. As Sauce reported in March, Levant owner Ahmad Hameed worked alongside brother Aboud Alhamid, owner of Ranoush in The Loop, for more than three years before he decided to open…
Behind the scenes with the Hi-Pointe Drive-In team
Since opening in January 2017, Hi-Pointe Drive-In has become known for being over-the-top in every way, from the multicolor building that looks like it’s made from giant Legos, to the regular menu of massive burgers and sandwiches, to the kitchen’s penchant for putting out one-off crazy creations on special daily. It’s this focus on delicious…
The Shaved Ice Shack opens in former SnowCaps spot in Cottleville
The Shaved Ice Shack at 3917 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville celebrated its grand opening last weekend, June 1, taking the place of the former SnowCaps Hawaiian Shaved Ice, which had been there the past 11 years. “We just wanted to move on from SnowCaps,” said co-owner Cody Andel. “We wanted to take the…
4 delicious St. Louis deals for $10 or less
1. Oceano Bistro in Clayton offers seafood so fresh, you’d think we were all living on the coast. Visit Monday through Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. or Saturdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and sample signature appetizers for as little as $6. Try the Maryland lump crabcakes served with roasted red pepper and chipotle…
7 boozy slushies to slurp all summer in St. Louis
Summer tip: It’s impossible to be unhappy with a frozen drink in your hand. From a frosty classic cocktail to the equivalent of a 7-Eleven Slurpee, we’re not too good for an alcoholic slushie. You can’t get that beautiful, smooth, granular churning commercial slush machine texture from a blender, and the St. Louis bar scene…
Recipe: Indonesian Sweet Soy-Glazed Salmon
Behold: a healthy, simple weeknight dinner with a little sweet and sass to boot. Indonesian sweet soy sauce is a new to me, but it may give balsamic vinegar a run for its money atop my favorite ingredient list. It’s available at international grocery stores (look for kecap manis on the label). It’s sticky and…
Eat This: Mung Bean Spring Rolls at Banh Mi So No. 1
Banh Mi So No. 1 boasts of its spring roll superiority for good reason. The mung bean spring rolls are what every vegetarian version aspires to be: a careful balance of tender rice noodles, crisp lettuce, fresh mint and a surprising crunch of fried mung bean sprouts, all expertly wrapped in delicate rice paper. A…
Indonesian Sweet Soy-Glazed Salmon
4 servings
Hiro Poke Co. will open downtown at The Eatery food hall
The downtown culinary scene will soon have a trendy new addition. Bernie Lee, chef-owner of Hiro Asian Kitchen, will open Hiro Poke Co. in The Eatery food hall at One Metropolitan Square sometime this month, as reported by the St. Louis Post Dispatch. The restaurant will join current tenants Kimcheese Asian Fusion, Dino’s Deli and…
Review: Billie-Jean in Clayton
Zoe Robinson named her latest restaurant, Billie-Jean, after her parents, who seemed like a couple of fun-loving bons vivants, judging by the black-and-white photo cards of them included with each check. It’s those little details that make Robinson’s some of the most popular restaurants in St. Louis, starting with Café Zoe and Zoe Pan-Asian Café.…
Q&A with Olive & Oak executive chef Jesse Mendica
The executive chef of your Favorite Restaurant didn’t originally want to be executive chef of any restaurant. The media-shy chef took a chance during her “year of yes” and has been quietly turning out some of most innovative, perfectly executed food in the St. Louis area ever since. We sat down with Jesse Mendica to…
