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More than 60 St. Louis restaurants join Operation Food Search’s Tomato Explosion
Visit one of your favorite restaurants in July as over 60 local eateries participate in Operation Food Search’s nine annual Tomato Explosion fundraiser. Participating restaurants like Crushed Red, Milque Toast Bar, Mango, Mission Taco Joint, Mai Lee, Kingside Diner, Herbie’s and more will create a dish or feature an existing dish highlighting tomatoes. Each time…
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Art Hill Film Series celebrates 10 years of movies under the stars
Films, food and fun is what the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Art Hill Film Series is all about, and this year’s celebration will commemorate 10 years of movies under the stars. This summer’s films are full of squad goals, featuring all-time favorite groups, gangs and crews in the spirit of the support the Art Hill…
Why Sauce readers’ love to take in the view at Grafton Winery
Taking in the picturesque view of the Mississippi River from the sprawling second story patio area, you won’t question why Grafton Winery & Brewhaus (300 W. Main St.) won Readers’ Choice Favorite Local Winery. With award-winning wines, a microbrewery and a restaurant, the winery has something for everyone. Grafton’s Vineyards location (21028 Eckert Orchard Road)…
Red Stag BurgerHouse will open in Lafayette Square in August
A new restaurant will join the growing list of places to visit in Lafayette Square later this summer. Red Stag BurgerHouse, which is being developed by McNeil & Partners L.P., will open in August at 1801 Park Ave., where Balentine’s and Tripel Brasserie used to be, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Developer Ed McNeil…
Piccione Pastry in The Loop will close in September
Italian pastry shop Piccione Pastry will close doors at 6197 Delmar Blvd., in The Loop on Sept. 22, according to owner Richard Nix. The bakery has been open since 2013. “We had a great almost seven year run on Delmar, and we definitely feel like the street continues to be legendary not only in St.…
Reeds American Table will close after service July 3
Reeds American Table in Maplewood will close after service on July 3, according to a post on its Facebook page. Reeds was the first restaurant venture by Matthew Daughaday, former executive chef of Taste and Sauce Magazine One to Watch in 2013. The restaurant opened in 2015. “We have had an amazing 4+ years here…
This fruit-forward Chilean red wine turns heads
If you’re looking for a head-spinning red, the 2017 Casa Silva Carmenere Los Lingues Vineyard features a finish that lasts through your final bite of beef or lamb. With wild black fruit flavors from carmenere, a lesser-known grape of Bordeaux grown to perfection in Chile, this vino offers more oomph than Chilean merlot and more…
First Look: Indo in Botanical Heights
Chef Nick Bognar, the force behind Nippon Tei and Ramen Tei, is taking his culinary creativity to the Botanical Heights neighborhood. His latest, Indo, debuts for dinner service on Friday, June 28, at 1641 Tower Grove Ave. Bognar, a semifinalist this year for the James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year, has become known…
Hodak’s has been St. Louis’ fried chicken go-to since 1962
Its official name may be Hodak’s Restaurant & Bar, but we’ve always called it Hodak’s Fried Chicken. The restaurant has served some of St. Louis’ most coveted poultry since 1962 and has the accolades to prove it – including winning Favorite Fried Chicken in this year’s Readers’ Choice Poll. But nowhere is Hodak’s more beloved…
Top 3 chocolate chip cookies in St. Louis
I remember the first time I had a “homemade” chocolate chip cookie. My dad made them from a Betty Crocker box mix while I watched Kristi Yamaguchi skate her way to Olympic gold. I loved them then, and I still would today. Rich and gooey, still warm from the oven, chocolate melting and a little…
Open Concept will launch open bar on Cherokee Street in early July
Early next month, something new will appear at 2712 Cherokee St., the former Melt space. Open Concept is a bar, but owner Michael Butler said it will sell time, not drinks. For $10 an hour, patrons will be able to access what’s essentially an open bar. Open Concept will have around six standard drinks, like…
Review: Wellspent Brewing Co. in Midtown St. Louis
Editor’s Note: Wellspent Brewing Co. has closed. Wellspent Brewing Co. is working hard to be a Midtown gathering space for all. The brewery has been pouring lagers, sours and Belgian-style beers at 2917 Olive St., since last March, and has developed an impressive list of events targeting everyone from science nerds to sports nuts and…
First Look: Akar in Clayton
In recent years, the stretch of Wydown Boulevard just east of Hanley Road in Clayton has become the place to go to find eateries featuring creative fare and intimate environs. Akar, the latest from restaurateur and executive chef Bernie Lee, is the newest addition to this bustling strip, bringing Asian influences and then some to…
Frankly Sausages rides again with new owners Chloe Yates and Ben McArthur
Frankly fans, rejoice – your favorite sausage truck is resurrected. Chloe Yates and Ben McArthur have officially purchased Frankly Sausages, the popular sausage and fries food truck from former owners Bill and Jamie Cawthon. “We are going to keep Frankly alive,” said Yates, who previously worked at Alphateria. McArthur, who currently helms Brennan’s Work &…
Explore Nepalese cuisine at Himalayan Yeti, your favorite Indian restaurant
One of the most popular ways to experience your Favorite Indian restaurant is Himalayan Yeti’s $10 lunch buffet. Full of crowd-pleasing classics – tandoori chicken, dal soup, tikka masala, palak paneer – the buffet allows you to enjoy more than a dozen north Indian and Nepalese dishes for less than as many dollars. …
5 cans to keep in your cooler all summer long
The only thing better than drinking beer is drinking beer outside. Grab a koozie, a cooler full of beer and find a sunny spot to get down with some of these outdoor-friendly cans. 1. When Uinta Brewing Co. Lime Pilsner came into the market a few years ago, I refused to try it because in…
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Saucy Soirée showcases top St. Louis culinary establishments June 23
Enjoy samples of food, wine, brews and spirits from winners of the Sauce Readers’ Choice poll at the fifth annual Saucy Soirée from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the historic Union Station in downtown St. Louis. Attendees can sample wares from more than 40 Readers’ Choice winners, including Yellowbelly, Cinder House, Crown…
Fred and Ricky’s will close locations and wholesale service
Fred and Ricky’s Plant Delicious Foods will soon close both locations along with its wholesale service after three years of operation. Co-owner Kathleen “Fred” Waidmann said the demands of the business began to affect her and her husband Rich Waidmann’s health and quality of life. “It’s a great deal of work and effort to start…
Review: Lola Jean’s Giveback Coffee in Southampton
Lola Jean’s Giveback Coffee, sister restaurant to neighboring Russell’s on Macklind, is an inviting cafe with a mission: the restaurant donates all proceeds to nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters. But that’s not the only reason to go. A bright mural of lemons backdrops the laid-back, kid-friendly space, and, on warm days, the back patio…
Rock Star Taco Shack will open in New Town St. Charles
New Town St. Charles will have a new spot for street tacos when Rock Star Taco Shack opens on Tuesday, June 18 at 3242-1 Rue Royale. The Shack is the brainchild of veteran area chef Wil Pelly, who most recently was behind the stoves at Nudo House, and business partner Matt Arana. The two have…
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Diversity revolutionizes whisky industry
Whisky has come a long way over the past 100 years. The industry remains rooted in tradition, but technology and innovation are enhancing everything from distillation to maturation to finishing techniques. The face of those educating and promoting whisky has also changed. No longer is it only a seasoned gentleman behind a bar telling the…
Chili Versus Gravy: St. Louis’ great slinger debate
To quote Southwest Diner co-owner Jonathan Jones: “A diner in St. Louis has to have a slinger.” It may not be as controversial, but the slinger has earned its place alongside Provel-topped pizza and bread-sliced bagels as one of St. Louis’ most debated dishes. A classic slinger usually comprises eggs, meat, potato, chili and cheese.…
First Look: Up-Down Bar in the Central West End
Get ready for waves of nostalgia when Up-Down STL opens this evening, June 14, at 405 N. Euclid Ave. in the Central West End. The ’80s and ’90s-themed arcade bar is the fifth location of Up-Down, which first opened about five years ago in Des Moines. “People who loved going to arcades when they were…
Review: Savage in Fox Park
On a Friday evening at Savage Restaurant, which opened last year inside a renovated Fox Park corner store, all 22 seats around the long, bracket-shaped bar are full – and it’s only 6 p.m. Sitting side by side on comfortable, high-back stools facing the open kitchen comprising most of the restaurant’s space, there’s none of…
First Look: Beast Butcher & Block in The Grove
In early 2018, David Sandusky noticed something missing in The Grove. “It was empty of barbecue,” he said. A year later, doors are set to open this Saturday, June 15 at Beast Butcher & Block, his sophomore barbecue joint. The 6,000-square-foot former office building at 4156 Manchester Ave. used to be the building everyone walked…
St. Louis watch parties erupt as Blues win the 2019 Stanley Cup
Enterprise Center and Busch Stadium weren’t the only watch parties rejoicing as the St. Louis Blues finally won the Stanley Cup last night. From hockey-themed Center Ice Brewing to The Pat Connolly Tavern, fans celebrated this historic moment in St. Louis sports. View this post on Instagram @stlouisblues WON THE CUP! A post shared by…
First Look: Chao Baan in The Grove
The Prapaisilp family is well-known for international fare. Suchin Prapaisilp owns King & I and Oishi Sushi & Steakhouse, as well as Global Foods Market and United Provisions. Next week, Suchin’s son, Shayn Prapaisilp, will make his mark on the culinary scene with his family’s newest eatery, Chao Baan, opening June 20 or 21 at 4087 Chouteau…
STL’s favorite burgers span the spectrum from classic to extreme
A burger is never just a burger. A burger is a canvas where one can act out their most insane culinary fantasies or push traditional ideas to heavenly perfection. No condiment is off limits, and no topping is faux pas while, at the same time, few are required with a perfectly cooked patty, as this…
What I Do: Joe Weinmann at Kenrick’s Meats & Catering
The office at Kenrick’s Meats & Catering hums all day. Employees come and go, cracking jokes and trading jibes with the easy familiarity of people who’ve known each other for decades and, in some cases, their entire lives. In the center of it all sits the 70-year-old patriarch of this operation, Joe Weinmann (aka Joe…
Mac’s Local Eats will open a location inside Bluewood Brewing Co.
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 2:30 p.m. June 11 with comments from Chris “Mac” McKenzie. A St. Louis burger favorite will team up with the city’s latest brewery. Mac’s Local Eats owners Kelly and Chris “Mac” McKenzie will open a second location in upcoming Bluewood Brewing Co. at 1821 Cherokee St. The brewpub…
Cork and Barrel closes doors in St. Peters
Cork and Barrel Chop House and Spirits at 7337 Mexico Road in St. Peters has closed its doors, according to an announcement made yesterday, June 10, on the restaurant’s Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/corkandbarrelchophouse/posts/720722521682364 No additional reason was given for the closure. Cork and Barrel owners Jill and Joe Ragan did not immediately respond to a request…
Charred Crust will open in downtown Clayton
Charred Crust will bring the dough to the fire as a brick-oven pizzeria this month at 105 S. Meramec Ave., in Clayton, in the former home of Uptown Café. Co-owners and chefs Andrew Simon and James Flemming jumped at the opportunity to open a restaurant in the business district of Clayton for the busy lunch…
Dig into Sugarfire Smoke House, by the numbers
There’s a reason Sugarfire Smoke House has become synonymous with St. Louis barbecue. It won Favorite Barbecue and Favorite Restaurant, and Sugarfire 44 catering and events chef Matt Glickert was voted Chef of the Year. Here’s what it takes to keep the smoke rolling, by the numbers. 650 employees 44 smokers 850 miles between the…
First Look: AO&Co. in Botanical Heights
Restaurateur Ben Poremba has opened his latest project, AO&Co., at 1641 Tower Grove Ave., in the Botanical Heights neighborhood. The first day of business for the boutique neighborhood market and beverage spot was Thursday, June 6. AO&Co. (the name derives from the initials of Poremba’s children), features approximately 1,000 carefully curated products. Customers can find…
First Look: The Bellwether in St. Louis
The Bellwether, the new eatery from the minds behind Polite Society, opened to the public May 31, in the Power Plant Building at 1419 Carroll St. on the eastern edge of Lafayette Square. The building most recently housed Element, but as the old saying goes, if you haven’t seen it lately, you really haven’t seen…
Bernie Lee will open Akar in Clayton next week
Next week will see the grand opening of Akar, the new concept from Bernie Lee, the chef-owner responsible for the former Hiro Asian Kitchen and Hiro Poké Co. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, the restaurant, which is currently hosting a soft opening, officially goes live at 7641 Wydown Blvd. — the former space of Anthony’s…
Sugarfire Smoke House launches new products in partnership with Schnucks
Sugarfire Smoke House has partnered with Schnucks to release a new line of products at 109 Schnucks locations across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. More than a dozen popular products will be ready to heat and eat, including beef brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw, along with Sugarfire’s line of barbecue sauces that launched…
This is the best doughnut at Florissant’s Old Town Donuts
Take your horse down to Old Town Donuts – this year’s Readers’ Choice Favorite Doughnut Shop. We concur. From cinnamon rolls to jelly doughnuts to spontaneous doughnuts of the day, the Florissant institution at 805 New Florissant Road never disappoints. Our very favorite, however, is the Old-Fashioned Donut. Spiked with the subtle tang of buttermilk…
How the Planter’s House team builds award-winning cocktail menus
Readers’ Choice Bartender of the Year Ted Kilgore knows a thing or two about putting together a top-notch drinks list. An undisputed OG of the St. Louis cocktail scene, Kilgore has made his reputation putting together thoughtful and creative bar menus everywhere from the now-shuttered Monarch to Taste by Niche to your Favorite Cocktails winner,…
Liege waffle eatery Iron & Rye will replace O’Shay’s Pub in The Grove
Once known as a neighborhood spot to grab Irish and American grub, beer and whiskey, the old O’Shay’s Pub will become Iron & Rye, a restaurant serving Liege waffles, breakfast treats and specialty cocktails. Innkeeper Hospitality Services, which owns Iron & Rye, plans to open the restaurant at 4353 Manchester Ave., in mid-June. Senior vice…
Tour chef Loryn Nalic’s 7 favorite St. Louis restaurants
Loryn Nalic has made a name for herself creating comforting dishes from the Balkans, first with a food truck and now with the brick-and-mortar Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves – winner of this year’s Favorite Mediterranean/Middle Eastern category. Like most industry folks, Nalic and her husband and Balkan co-owner Edo Nalic have precious little…
Twisted Ranch will open a location at Trops in The Grove
The Twisted Ranch team is taking its ranch dressing-themed concept to The Grove. The new spot will be situated inside Tropical Liqueurs at 4104 Manchester Ave., and is expected to open sometime this summer. The space most recently housed a satellite location of Guerrilla Street Food. Unlike the flagship location at 1730 S. Eighth St.,…
Favorite New Restaurant: Yellowbelly in the Central West End
Yellowbelly’s vibrant design and relaxed atmosphere will hook you, but it’s the dazzling, seafood-heavy menu that will reel you in. With the help of consulting chef Richard Blais, Yellowbelly owners Travis Howard and Tim Wiggins created an exotic getaway in the heart of the Central West End. ” Yes, we are island-inspired,” said chef de…
2019 Sauce Readers’ Choice Winners
Favorite New Restaurant of 2018Yellowbelly 4659 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, 314.499.1509, yellowbellystl.com 2nd: Billie-Jean 3rd: The Chocolate Pig, The Clover and the Bee (tie)Honorable Mentions: Carnivore, Cinder House Favorite RestaurantSugarfire Smoke House Various locations, sugarfiresmokehouse.com2nd: Peacemaker Lobster & Crab 3rd: Olive + Oak Honorable Mention: Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Grace Meat + Three Chef of the YearMatt Glickert, Sugarfire 44 932…
