The Haven is a St. Louis landmark
When John Gasperi bought The Haven in 2009, he knew he was buying an old bar. He didn’t know exactly how old. The Haven’s new owner had printed his new menus with “established in 1950” emblazoned next to the bar’s name. A relative of Ed and Dot Beck, The Haven’s original owners, had confirmed the…
6 spots to drink beer across St. Louis right now
Here are six spots across the St. Louis region, from Cherokee Street to Wentzville, where you’re sure to find a surprisingly great treat on tap in addition to a pleasant imbibing experience. Go to Chillax, drink a Sump Coffee StoutChillax is the savvy beer drinker’s Wentzville oasis (with an upcoming second location in St. Peters) with…
Hya Made? offers Korean fare available for pickup in St. Louis area
Like many of us during the pandemic, Planter’s House bartender Hya Van Der Pennen had to do some pivoting. She combined her longtime love of cooking and Korean cuisine into her own monthly menu pickup service, Hya Made. Relying on social media and word-of-mouth, what began out of necessity turned into a booming side hustle.…
An ode to Civil Life Brewing Co.?’s American Brown Ale
In 2017, newly arrived in St. Louis, Manny Negron was eager to explore the craft beer scene. In a brewers’ city that was excitedly exploring New England IPAs, foeder-aged wild ales and pastry stouts, the last thing Negron expected to find himself drinking was an American brown ale. “You hear about a brown ale, and…
Eat this crabcake-hush puppy mashup at The Kings Oak? inside Modern Brewery
The crushpuppies at The Kings Oak inside Modern Brewery are what you want when you’re having a beer: a little salty, a little sweet and decadent, they want a thirst quencher like the brewery’s Citrapolis or Kings Oak Pils. These little crabcake-hush puppy mashups have super light insides flecked with pieces of lump crab and…
Beast Butcher & Block has closed in the Grove
David and Meggan Sandusky have announced the closure of Beast Butcher & Block at 4156 Manchester Ave. in the Grove. The restaurant will honor Easter Sunday brunch reservations and Easter ham pickups, as well as hosting several barbecue demonstration classes in April, but regular service ended on Sunday, March 26. “Now is the right time,”…
Drink this mild brown ale from Logboat Brewing Co.
Logboat Brewing Co. Mamoot, a mild brown ale, boasts notes of toasted malt, faint hints of chocolate and caramel, and pours a beautiful hue of mahogany. At just 4% ABV, this beer drinks light, delivering full flavor without a full stomach. Picture a cool afternoon slightly warmed by the sun, a big pot of chili…
New St. Louis Cardinals season brings fresh dining options to Ballpark Village
Opening day for the St. Louis Cardinals 2023 season is here, and Ballpark Village is gearing up to welcome thousands of baseball fans seeking out nourishment and refreshments before, during and after games. If you’re heading downtown for the opening day festivities, look out for some new dining options taking shape, including a massive Katie’s…
11 dark ales and lagers that are having a moment in and around St. Louis
Not every glass of ruby-tinged, black liquid is a stout or porter. Check out the world of dark ales and lagers, which are currently enjoying a minor moment with beer aficionados. Dark lagers from Germany’s Bavarian region and the Czech Republic’s Bohemia, and dark ales from England and the U.S., are mellow beers that make…
St. Louis restaurants miss the cut as James Beard Foundation announces final 2023 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees
The James Beard Foundation has just announced the final shortlist of nominees for its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards. However, the results make disappointing reading for St. Louis, with none of the local restaurants nominated as semifinalists making the final cut. In January, the James Beard Foundation named six St. Louis-based chefs, restaurateurs and venues…
First Look: Chillax Tap & Co. bottle shop and bar in St. Peters
The second location of bottle shop and bar Chillax Tap & Co. is in soft opening mode beginning today, Tuesday, March 29, at 1320 Triad Center Drive in St. Peters, ahead of the bar’s grand opening on Saturday, April 1. The 6,000-square-foot bar’s facilities include a food counter operated by Vails Brothers, an event space and two outdoor…
The Vine Café on South Grand will launch Vine and Dash food truck in April
The Vine Café, a Mediterranean restaurant at 3171 S. Grand Blvd. in St. Louis, will soon launch a food truck called Vine and Dash. The Vine has been a mainstay in Tower Grove for the last decade, known especially for its freshly baked pita, juice offerings and shawarma. Co-owned by cousins Abdallah and Mohammed Mohsen,…
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Tabski STL makes it easier to order your next beer at local restaurants
Scan. Order. Pay. It’s that simple with Tabski, a digital ordering platform reinventing the hospitality playbook for the modern consumer, one QR code at a time. “We believe the future is digital. People don’t like waiting to order when they go out to eat, and they don’t like waiting for their server to split the…
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Drink local at Noboleis Vineyards in gorgeous Augusta wine country
Spring is upon us, so it’s time to get out of town and head to wine country. First stop: Noboleis Vineyards in the heart of Augusta, just 40 minutes west of St. Louis. What began as a small grape-growing farm has grown to a working vineyard and winery that produces 10,000 cases per year. Founded…
Kitchen House Coffee closes permanently in Tower Grove East
Kitchen House Coffee has closed permanently at 3149 Shenandoah Ave. after over eight years in Tower Grove East. The café’s last day of business was Sunday, March 26. Owners Paul Whitsitt and David Rodgers made the announcement in a Facebook post, saying that the decision was “both long coming and made suddenly.” Whitsitt said multiple factors prompted the…
What I Do: Jeff Stevens, founder of WellBeing Brewing Co.
Jeff Stevens is founder of WellBeing Brewing Co., a craft brewery dedicated to nonalcoholic beer and other NA beverages. Last year, following a successful collaboration with Schlafly on Match Day (an NA version of Schlafly’s famous pale ale), the two breweries formed a long-term partnership, putting Schlafly in charge of WellBeing’s wholesale operations. Not only…
First Look: Black Mountain Wine House in the Central West End of St. Louis
Black Mountain Wine House will open at 354-356 N. Boyle Ave. in the Central West End on Tuesday, March 28. Located in the former West End Grill & Pub, the bar and restaurant is an extension of Black Mountain Wine House’s original location in Brooklyn, New York. Co-owners Joe Baker and Tyler Maganzini (who also owns the…
St. Louis Metro East’s Sawmill BBQ has opened a location in Des Peres
Sawmill BBQ Pub & Grill, a family-owned favorite based in Cahokia, Illinois, is the latest restaurant to join the St. Louis barbecue scene, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. It opened in early March at 1090 Old Des Peres Road in Des Peres. The restaurant is owned by Steve and Vicki Will, and the Des Peres location…
First Look: Tim’s Chrome Bar in the Bevo Mill neighborhood of south St. Louis
Following an extensive – and we mean extensive – renovation, Tim’s Chrome Bar reopened on March 3 at 4736 Gravois Ave. in Bevo Mill. The stylish, colorful reinvention, overseen by new owners Schuchard Event Spaces, brings new life to a bar that has been a Bevo Mill fixture since 1977, and the early reaction suggests it’s going…
3 new St. Louis-area places to try this month
Bagel UnionFew restaurant openings have inspired as much anticipation as Bagel Union, the Webster Groves bagel shop from the team at Union Loafers Cafe and Bread Bakery. There is good reason for this: The bagels are delicious. The boiled and baked bagels boast fluffy interior texture and chewy crust available in a variety of flavors.…
Liliana’s Italian Kitchen is opening a Cottleville location in April
Liliana’s Italian Kitchen, a family-owned South County restaurant, is expanding to Cottleville, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. They’ll open their second location at 3891 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in April. Owner Tim Pieri describes Liliana’s as “simple food done right.” For this location, Pieri is partnering with longtime friends Curtis Henderson and Shawn Raphael. The three…
First Look: Sado on the Hill in St. Louis
Sado, the second restaurant from James Beard Award-nominated chef and owner of Indo, Nick Bognar, will open at 5201 Shaw Ave. on the Hill on Tuesday, March 28. The sushi-focused restaurant will build on the legacy Bognar’s family built at Nippon Tei, which closed at the end of February, while also giving the young chef…
7 St. Louis-area breweries opening or expanding this spring
The season of new beginnings also means new entrants into the St. Louis beer scene from familiar faces and newcomers alike. We spoke to area breweries about what they’re opening up – and brewing up – this spring. Blue Jay Brewing Co. As part of the development at JC Midtown this spring, Jason Thompson, former head…
The Neon Banana café will offer nutritious foods in Ladue when it opens in April
The Neon Banana, a café that will sell juices, açaí bowls, salads and more, will open in mid-April at 10283 Clayton Road in Ladue, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Co-owners John Brunner, Michael Friedman and Nick Zotos are passionate about nutritious food and are excited to bring convenient options to the area. “I wanted to put my…
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Dan Jensen of Sando Shack & Hello Poke is Ford Hotel Supply’s Chef of the Month
Chef of the Month is sponsored by Ford Hotel Supply. Position: Co-owner Married? Yes Kids? No Where are you originally from? Chicago Where did you go to school? University of Houston How did you get to where you are? I have a background in the restaurant/hospitality industry, working various positions in cities like Chicago, Houston, Miami,…
La Crazy Margarita is now open on South Grand in St. Louis
La Crazy Margarita, a family-owned Mexican restaurant, opened in mid-February at 3131 S. Grand Blvd. The restaurant fills the space formerly occupied by Alta Calle. Co-owners Romel Mayahua and Benito Mendieta wanted to open a typical Mexican American restaurant but also wanted to showcase more authentic Mexican foods. “I wanted to show people that, even though…
Burger Champ will open in former Elmwood space in Maplewood this summer
Chris Kelling and Adam Altnether have confirmed that they will open a new concept, Burger Champ, in the former Elmwood space at 2704 Sutton Blvd. in Maplewood. Burger Champ will be an extension of the “Champ” brand that Kelling and Altnether launched with Pizza Champ, which opened in January 2022 a few hundred yards away at 2657 Lyle Ave. …
6 St. Louis craft beer releases to catch this spring
The season of new beginnings also means new entrants into the St. Louis beer scene from familiar faces and newcomers alike. We spoke to area breweries about what they’re brewing up this spring. Feb. 21: Schlafly Beer Hazed for Days 12-PackFans of hazy beer will love this new variety pack featuring three exclusive brews as…
18 places to celebrate 314 Day in St. Louis
Tuesday, March 14, is the day we set aside for 314 Day, an all-out celebration of all things STL. You’ll find events, deals and discounts being offered all around the city and covering everything from music and sports to fashion and dining. Of course, at Sauce we’re most interested in the latter, so here’s a…
Omen Coffee Co. opens brick-and-mortar location in Midtown St. Louis
Omen Coffee Co., a St. Louis-based coffee roaster that began roasting late last year, opened its first coffee shop in early March at 2647 Washington Ave. in Midtown. Owner Mark Joe is excited to now have a physical location for customers to enjoy Omen Coffee. “I’m really passionate about bringing people together. I love the…
New brewery Mississippi Culture is opening a taproom in Staunton in April
Mississippi Culture will open its brewery and taproom at 201 S. Union St. in Staunton, Illinois, on April 22. Inspired by Belgian farmhouse brewing traditions, the brewery will use mixed culture fermentation to create saison-based beers to appeal to a range of tastes. Mississippi Culture is the work of brewer Tracy Hutton and his father, Bruce,…
Gezellig Tap House & Bottleshop in the Grove is closing on March 26
Gezellig Tap House & Bottleshop will close at 4191 Manchester Ave. in the Grove on March 26. The shop’s closure ends a seven-year run for the bar and bottle shop, whose 28 taps and multiple refrigerators host an eclectic selection of local, national and international beers. Owner Brandon Cavanagh said it was an “emotional day,” and…
Sauce Magazine delves into new era, takes print publication digital
Hello, fellow foodies! I am Allyson Mace, the publisher and founder of Sauce Magazine. For over two decades, my incredible team and I have been sailing the culinary seas of St. Louis, witnessing the rise of our food scene to heights we never thought possible. My father worked in newspapers, so ink runs in my…
Mexican restaurant La Calle will open in the Grove in St. Louis this spring
A new Mexican restaurant, La Calle, will open at 4121 Manchester Ave. in the Grove. The restaurant is currently slated for a late March or early April opening, and will serve tacos, burritos, margaritas and more. La Calle is the latest project from Sebastian Montes, who is also a co-owner of El Burro Loco, which has…
Mexican pizzeria Jalisco Pizza now open in St. Charles
Jalisco Pizza, a fusion of Mexican and Italian cuisine, opened in early February at 3831 Elm St. in St. Charles, as reported by St. Louis Magazine. Owner Leonardo Ortiz wanted to open a restaurant that combined some of the most popular foods. “I always wanted to do something different. … I know that two of the most…
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Off to a great start, Armory STL has more in store
Armory STL opened in mid-December 2022 at 3660 Market St. in Midtown St. Louis and is quickly becoming a destination favorite, reinventing the wheel on what it means to play as an adult. The immersive, multifunctional entertainment and game space is responding to growing customer demand while staying true to its hometown roots. “We’ve been…
Gioia’s Deli is opening a location in Valley Park in late spring 2023
Gioia’s Deli is heading west. The St. Louis sandwich institution announced via social media that it will be opening a new location, this one in the Pointe 44 shopping center at 922 Meramec Station Road in Valley Park, near the intersection of I-44 and Highway 141. This is in addition to the original shop at 1934 Macklind…
Spanish-inspired restaurant Idol Wolf and coffee shop Good Press opening in downtown St. Louis in late spring
21c Museum Hotel has announced it will open two new restaurant concepts in late spring 2023 under the leadership of executive chef Matt Daughaday. Idol Wolf, a restaurant inspired by Spanish cuisine and tapas-style dining, and Good Press, a coffee shop that will serve breakfast and lunch, will be the flagship dining outlets for the hotel,…
New Society cocktail lounge will open inside Grand Spirits Bottle Co. on South Grand in April
New Society, a new “experimental cocktail lounge,” will open in mid-April in the basement of Grand Spirits Bottle Co. at 3194 S. Grand Blvd. The bar is the fruit of a partnership between Grand Spirits Bottle Co. owner Michael Fricker and Meredith Barry of Platypus, with a soft opening set for April 13. Fricker said New…
Jalea’s Andrew Cisneros joins The Tavern Kitchen & Bar in Valley Park as executive chef and partner
Andrew Cisneros of Jalea and Sanguchitos by Brasas has added to his growing list of responsibilities by taking on a new role at The Tavern Kitchen & Bar at 2961 Dougherty Ferry Road, Suite 101, in Valley Park. Cisneros joins The Tavern as executive chef and partner in the restaurant, a role that could lead to broader opportunities within…
Tapped will reopen as Tapped Social House in late March in Maplewood
Almost a year after closing, Tapped is set to reopen under new ownership and a new name – Tapped Social House – by the end of March at 7278 Manchester Road in Maplewood. The restaurant has a new name and a new owner, Reggie Trankle, but will retain its wood-fired pizza and self-pour beer concept, with a few…
Hi-Pointe Drive-In will open new location in Cottleville on Monday, March 6
Hi-Pointe Drive-In, the 2022 Readers’ Choice favorite restaurant, will open its sixth location on Monday, March 6, at 6015 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. This is the first location in St. Charles County. Co-owners Charlie Downs, Mike Johnson and Ben Hillman are eager for a new community to experience Hi-Pointe in their neighborhood. “We just love…
Vin de Set, 21st Street Brewers Bar and PW Pizza close permanently following fire
Hamilton Hospitality has announced that three restaurants that suffered extensive damage during a September 2022 fire will remain closed permanently. The group confirmed the closure of Vin de Set, PW Pizza and 21st Street Brewers Bar, all located at 2017 Chouteau Ave., in a statement released on March 1. All three restaurants have been closed since Sept. 19, when a fire…
First Look: The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern at St. Louis Union Station in Downtown West
St. Louis’ new soccer pub, The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern, opened on Monday, Feb. 27, at St. Louis Union Station at 1820 Market St. The Pitch is just a few yards from St. Louis City SC’s CityPark stadium and arrives just in time for the new MLS club’s first home game on March 4. The Pitch is…
