By the Book: Francine Segan’s Pasta with Zesty Horseradish-Tomato Sauce
Ever since my dad sneaked horseradish into my corned beef sandwich when I was 6, I’ve craved the delectable root. So when my editor, Ligaya Figueras, assigned me to prepare Francine Segan’s Pasta with Zesty Horseradish-Tomato Sauce, I jumped at the opportunity. Horseradish and pasta – what could possibly go wrong? Segan’s cookbook,…
The Scoop: Breakfast and lunch cafe Whitebox Eatery to open in Clayton
The space at 176 Carondelet Plaza in Clayton is getting a new tenant. Whitebox Eatery, a breakfast and lunch concept, is slated to open in the spot formerly occupied by Stratton’s Café in late July or early August. Whitebox Eatery is a venture headed by Brendan Marsden, co-owner of Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant and online…
Drink This Weekend Edition: The Mission Paloma, featuring Stiegl Radler at Mission Taco Joint
The first radler I ever drank was poured into a humongous one-liter glass and passed across the table to me at a biergarten in Bavaria by my late cousin Otto. He spoke sparse English and had cycled some 40 kilometers from Munich to sit with me in his Lycra jersey and graying, mussed-up helmet…
Sneak Peek: Que Sazon Food Truck
Earlier this month, Que Sazon food truck announced it was gassing up to hit the streets, and now the newest food truck in town is set to make its debut Sunday, June 1 at Citygarden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Que Sazon serves up South American cuisine inspired by the dishes and flavors of…
Raise a glass to National Negroni Week with an Americano
It’s National Negroni week, which means bartenders all over St. Louis , including me, is most likely throwing their own spins on this Italian cafe classic. But before we recreate a staple in the bartender’s arsenal, let’s stop and appreciate the origins of this beloved cocktail. The Negroni and its lesser-known siblings, the Boulevardier…
Sneak Peek: Jilly’s Ice Cream Bar
Jilly’s Ice Cream Bar opens doors Friday, May 30, just in time to offer a sweet trade-off when those days of 90-degree, 99 percent humidity hit. Located just steps from its sister establishment Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Café at 8509 Delmar Blvd., in University City, the ice cream bar aims to be a destination for…
Wheatless Wednesday: Earth and Sea Bowl
I love all things earthy, but I’m also in love with the bounty of the sea. When they all come together in one big bowl, it’s a miracle meal. Add chopsticks and a couple glasses of wine, and this mung bean salad becomes a food-inspired game of Operation. Filling bowls like this one make me…
Quick Strawberry Balsamic Shrub
1½ cups
Luca Manfè’s Frico
4 to 6 servings
By the Book: Luca Manfè’s Frico
I have never watched “MasterChef,” Fox’s culinary competition where groups of home cooks duke it out for the chance to impress judges Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot to earn the title MasterChef. So when “My Italian Kitchen: Favorite Family Recipes” by Season Four winner Luca Manfè crossed my desk, I truly had no…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Local spirits shine at Three Flags Tavern
At newly-opened bar and restaurant Three Flags Tavern, located in the heart of Southwest Garden neighborhood, local spirits are taking center stage. We recommend trying the whole cocktail menu, but if you must be responsible, start with the 314, an unaged Manhattan featuring Pinckney Bend white corn whiskey, Mad Buffalo Thunderbeast Storm Moonshine, Benedictine,…
The Scoop: Rise Coffee House to go mobile in August
{The recently acquired, soon-to-be mobile Rise coffee truck} St. Louis’ food truck fleet adds yet another to its ranks with word that Rise Coffee House, which opened in September 2013 at 4180 Manchester Ave., in The Grove, is bringing the first java-concentrated concept to the streets in August. Nick and Sara Endejan, manager and…
The Weekend Project: DIY Yogurt Parfait
Take a walk down the dairy aisle, and it’s easy to see that yogurt has become an incredibly popular choice for healthy snacking, dietary supplements and cooking. But your favorite yogurt can last much longer than your morning breakfast. Making your own is easy and economical; all you need is milk and a container…
The Scoop: The Great Food Truck Race makes a pit stop in STL
The next Food Truck Friday is still a few weeks away, but you can get your fix for new mobile cuisine this weekend. Four mobile eateries – all participants in the Food Network show “The Great Food Truck Race” – are rolling into St. Louis this Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, as…
Baked: Oat Flour Cookies
Today, I’m sharing a recent discovery: oat flour. It’s essentially finely ground oats that can be partially swapped with all-purpose flour in some recipes. While I haven’t tried grinding it myself yet, I did experiment with a small bag from King Arthur Flour. The result is a denser texture, similar to whole-wheat flour, although…
No-Bake Granola Bars
8 servings
Just Five: No-Bake Granola Bars
The phrase “no-bake” is right up there with “low-fat” and “fruit juice-sweetened” on my list of things I am not interested in cooking or eating. So imagine my surprise when I started playing with this recipe from Minimalist Baker; now, my new Sunday tradition is making – not baking – granola bars for the…
Sneak Peek: Siam
After a soft opening in May, Grove newcomer Siam, located at 4121 Manchester Ave., is putting the finishing touches on food and drink menus in time for a June 14 grand opening. Those familiar with the former Novak’s space will notice a few changes in the newly minted Siam; co-owners Steven Preston and Ron Bray…
Meatless Monday: Blondie’s Coffee and Wine Bar
We’ve pigeonholed Blondie’s Coffee and Wine Bar into the “date night” and “girls’ night out” categories for too long. Add “vegetarian” and “lunch” to the mix because the upscale cafe located downtown on Washington Avenue more than satisfied with noontime meatless fare. There are a few vegetarian salads on the menu, but we were…
By the Book: Giada De Laurentiis’ Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Meet my new favorite salad. It’s a quintessential healthy, California-style dish: seafood, avocado, seasonal vegetables and a lemon-agave vinaigrette. It comes from Giada De Laurentiis’ new cookbook, “Giada’s Feel Good Food: My Healthy Recipes and Secrets.” It’s filled with healthy, nutritious recipes that are easy to make and actually taste good. Dishes like Greek tabbouleh…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.’s Bushelhead Cider
We interrupt this regularly scheduled beer column to bring you something a little different. Cider is one of the fastest-growing segments of the beverage industry today, but it’s long been a part of American history. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the drink of choice in the U.S. But like many other…
Eat This: Fried chicken at Amigo Joe’s
Fried chicken at a Mexican joint? If you’re eating off-the-menu habanero fried chicken at Amigo Joe’s we say, “Por supuesto.” Tear through its spicy, crispy skin to reveal insanely tender meat with a subtle kick. Add rice, refried beans and a jumbo margarita, and you’ll wonder why all international diplomacy can’t be this flawless.
Sneak Peek: Lulu’s Local Eatery on South Grand
Robbie Tucker and Lauren Loomis, aka Lulu, announced in February that their vegan food truck business, Lulu’s Local Eatery, would soon get a permanent home. After revamping the former Natty’s Pizza space at 3201 S. Grand Blvd., Tucker and Loomis are opening doors to their brick-and-mortar May 19. At this fast-casual spot, you’ll find veggie…
The Scoop: Ivy Magruder to take the reins at Panorama, dining operations at St. Louis Art Mueseum
Chef Ivy Magruder is taking the helm at the Saint Louis Art Museum beginning June 9. Magruder will oversee all museum dining services, which are operated by Bon Appétit Management Co. This includes Panorama, the museum’s cafe and its catering services. Chef Edward Farrow had led culinary operations at the museum since Panaroma opened…
The Scoop: Nick and Vito’s Meat and Deli opens in Belleville’s west end
After nearly two decades in the grocery store business, brothers Nick and Vito Renfro have opened their own butcher shop: Nick and Vito’s Meat and Deli at 8201 W. Main St. in Belleville, Illinois. The brothers, who co-own the business with their parents Molly Seel and Tony Renfro, held a soft opening Saturday, May…
The Scoop: Universal Food Market to celebrate grand opening June 15
Word has arrived that the grand opening of the internationally oriented Universal Food Market will take place June 15, according to owner Philip Hong. Hong opened the store on 4330 S. Broadway in South City, citing the diversity of the neighborhood and its proximity to Interstate 55. He previously owned another international market in San…
The Scoop: New ice cream shop Ices Plain & Fancy to open in June
What do you get when you combine mad-scientist techniques with the Victorian “Queen of Ices?” No, not the opening lines to a bad joke, but rather the inspiration behind the new ice cream shop, Ices Plain & Fancy, coming at 2256 S. 39th St., in St. Louis in June. Troika Brodsky, director of communications…
The Scoop: Que Sazon food truck to roll downtown in June
The ever-growing roster of area food trucks has added another mobile restaurant to its ranks. Que Sazon, which will specialize in South American cuisine, is set to roll downtown June 1. Husband and wife co-owners Fabian and Julie Ocampo have just obtained the necessary permits and are putting a bull-headed wrap on the truck. “My…
Wheatless Wednesday: Seedy Almond-Flour Crackers
The scope of gluten-free snack food has grown immensely in the last five years, thanks to the growing gluten-intolerant population. In a short time, the reaction when someone mentions gluten-free in food situations has gone from a glossy-eyed “Uh, what’s that?” to a friendly conversation about their own friends and family who struggle with…
Chicken Bruschetta
4 to 6 servings
Sneak Peek: Craft Beer Cellar
Craft Beer Cellar opens May 17 at 8113 Maryland Ave., in Clayton. A venture by franchisees and brothers Brandon and Ryan Nickelson, the shop marks the first Missouri location for the Massachusetts-based craft beer retailer. A location in Columbia, Missouri is also in the works. The store, which will be open daily, looks to be…
Just Five: Chicken Bruschetta
It always surprises me what my family gets excited about. Maybe it’s the age (two teenage girls, God save me), but sometimes it seems the more effort and thought I put into a complex dish, the less enthusiastic the response. Yet this “so simple it should be boring” dish won all the votes at…
Food Truck Friday kicks off the season at Tower Grove Park
[View the story “Food Truck Friday season kicks off in Tower Grove Park” on Storify]
The Scoop: Candy and soda shop Rocket Fizz to open in The Loop
Listen up, sugar fiends: Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop will open a new location at 6303 Delmar Blvd., in The Loop, the space formerly occupied by City Sprouts. A recorded phone message at the shop stated its owners hoped to open doors May 24. Calls to Rocket Fizz for comment were not immediately…
First Look: Grand Hall and Grand Hall Market at Union Station
St. Louisans cheered in 1985 when Union Station, once a bustling passenger rail terminal, was restored and redeveloped as a mixed-use project that included shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment. The historic landmark is seeing new life yet again with the $30 million renovation by Lodging Hospitality Management, which purchased Union Station in 2012. Grand Hall…
Meatless Monday: Strawberry Soup
When it comes to cold soups, you don’t have to wait until the peak of summer for that tomato-based gazpacho. Serve up a bowl this jewel-like Strawberry Soup to start (or end) the meal. Succulent red strawberries shine in this recipe from Gringo’s Cary McDowell, who served this during his time at Winslow’s Home.…
Phil Ward’s Elder-Fashioned
1 serving
Robert Simonson’s Rye Old-Fashioned
1 serving
By the Book: Robert Simonson’s Rye Old-Fashioned
Endpapered in late-Victorian ink marbling, Robert Simonson’s “The Old-Fashioned: The Story of the World’s First Classic Cocktail” exists in praise of an august, sometimes neglected fixture of American liquor lore. The Old-Fashioned, arguably the ur-cocktail – the first of its kind – is durable, classic and a test of any bartender’s hand at the basics.…
Drink This Weekend Edition: Two prime (and slick-looking) pinot noirs
{Mouton Noir owner André Hueston Mack} Slick packaging has never been something we look for first in a wine, and we’ve certainly never taken it to be an indication of quality. Indeed, we often worry the opposite will hold true – the cooler a label’s appearance, the more skeptical we are about what’s inside the…
Avocado Mousse in Chocolate Cups
12 cups
Just Five: Avocado Mousse in Chocolate Cups
File this recipe under “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” or “Here’s a fun thing to do with that empty egg carton.” I’ve tried the vegan avocado chocolate mousse that’s currently all over the Internet, but I had trouble getting over the mouth feel, so I wasn’t entirely convinced this recipe would wow…
Budget Crunch: 10 delicious dishes and sweet deals to try right now
Welcome to Budget Crunch, wherein intrepid reporter Byron Kerman offers 10 tips on delicious menu items and sweet deals happening now. Got $10? Grab a friend and sample, split and stuff yourselves with these steals. 1. Condiment lovers eat at Dirty Dogz just to sample from the amazing selection of more than 200 mustards,…
Baked: Raspberry Hazelnut Muffins
Martha Stewart makes a delicious pistachio muffin. They are buttery, scrumptious and perfect for a special occasion. But what about a muffin I can eat for a quick, on-the-go breakfast? I don’t want to add a stick of butter to something I’m going to eat every day. So for this muffin, I made a few…
Food Truck Friday returns this Friday, May 9
Get ready to eat your heart out, St. Louis! Food Truck Friday returns this Friday, May 9 from 4 to 8 p.m., and you and everyone you know are invited to the party. More than 20 of the best area food trucks kick off this season at our favorite stomping ground, Tower Grove Park.…
What I Do: Simon Lusky
Editor’s note: Athlete Eats is now Revel Kitchen. Simon Lusky, 25, is the first team chef and nutrition specialist for the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s also the founder of Athlete Eats, which began a handful of years ago as a business providing prepared meals for Cardinals, Rams and Blues players during the offseason. Athlete Eats…
The Scoop: Resurrected Tick Tock Tavern to team with new Steve’s Hot Dogs location
{Steve Ewing} This summer, Tower Grove East will see the expansion of one St. Louis favorite and the revival of another. Steve Ewing, owner of Steve’s Hot Dogs at 2131 Marconi Ave., on The Hill, recently announced a second location is in the works at 3459 Magnolia Ave. The site is also home to…
The Scoop: James Beard award eludes Craft and Nashan
Local restaurant boosters are sighing disappointment once more as a James Beard Foundation award eluded chefs from The Gateway City yet again. Neither Gerard Craft nor Kevin Nashan, the two local chefs who were among six finalists in the Best Chef: Midwest category, was named winner. Instead, Justin Aprahamian of Sanford in Milwaukee landed that honor.…
The Scoop: Andrey Ivanov ties for first in national Best Young Sommelier competition
A few good bottles are sure to be popped open when Andrey Ivanov arrives home. The general manager and wine director at Olio and Elaia tied for first place in the national Chaine des Rotisseurs’ Best Young Sommelier competition on Saturday, May 3 in California. In March, The Scoop reported Ivanov qualified for both this…
Meatless Monday: Frittata and Mesclun Greens Salad at Bixby’s
Bixby’s, the upstairs enclave overlooking Forest Park at the Missouri History Museum, is already a secret gem of the St. Louis dining scene. After a bite of its Frittata and Mesclun Greens Salad, served at lunch until 2 p.m., you might try to keep it a secret yourself lest everyone finds out about this…
5 Mexican restaurants where we’ll find you during Cinco de Mayo
Though its origins are Mexican, Americans have adopted Cinco de Mayo as their own, celebrated with margaritas, tacos and more. Last year, you voted Pueblo Solis your favorite Mexican restaurants in St. Louis in the 2013 Readers’ Choice poll. Here, the top 5 Mexican spots where we’re certain to find you tomorrow night: …
Drink This Weekend Edition: Hundreds of brews at St. Louis Microfest
St. Louis Microfest returns tonight and tomorrow, May 2 and 3, in the upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park. The 19th annual festival, which benefits Lift for Life Gym, offers attendees the opportunity to sample craft and international beers during three different sessions in two days: Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and…
Your guide to making the ultimate pork steak
There’s nothing like a St. Louis pork steak. No, really – try asking for it in other parts of the U.S., and you’ll baffle butchers who will likely point you toward a pork chop. But this Gateway City classic is not a chop; it’s a center cut of the shoulder, most commonly used for pulled…
7 ways to boost umami flavor
Editor’s note: Cucina Pazzo has closed. From Adam Fleischman of Umami Burger to the makers of Taste No. 5 Umami Paste, everyone’s capitalizing on the umami craze these days. Also known as the “fifth taste,” this Japanese term describes foods that deliver a rounded savory sensation. The primary component of umami is glutamate, an amino…
Make this: griddled asparagus
Boiled, steamed, grilled, roasted or raw, asparagus is a seasonal delight. Try this rustic presentation that’s topped with a zingy compound butter inspired by a recipe from Deborah Madison’s latest cookbook Vegetable Literacy. Rinse and trim 1 bunch of thin asparagus spears. Toss with olive oil and salt. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat,…
These craft spirits are specially designed for cocktails by 2 bartenders
As long-time bartenders and cocktail geeks, we often imagine making our own spirits. Two of our bartender friends, Simon Ford and Jason Kosmas, have done exactly that with their spirits company, The 86 Co. Noise and Spirits. The 86 Co.’s portfolio includes Fords gin, Caña Brava rum, Tequila Cabeza and Aylesbury Duck vodka. Although designed…
Try this Maldonado Vineyards? Pinot Gris
Maldonado Vineyards is my most recent encounter with the growing number of Latino-owned wineries. All five of the Maldonado wines that I tasted were exceptional, but I kept returning for more Maldonado Pinot Gris Los Olivos 2012. We see very few pinot gris grown in Napa Valley, but the quality of this wine may encourage…
8 things we’re obsessed with right now
We’ve been stuffing our faces with pasta, cheese, chips and chocolate while lying on the couch reading foodie lit. Here are the products that got us to this gluttonous state.
Review: Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria in Rock Hill
Those familiar with Katie Lee’s previous restaurant – Katie’s Pizzeria Cafe in Clayton, with which she no longer has a business connection – will feel right at home in her new eponymous endeavor, Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria. The young restaurateur has outfitted her new digs in a Rock Hill shopping plaza with the same…
Review: Small Batch in St. Louis
It’s hard not to dismiss a whiskey bar featuring entirely vegetarian fare as someone’s idea of a joke. A stout tumbler of bourbon and a medium-rare steak just seem to naturally work together. Why break up such a happy pair? But that kind of thinking is nowhere near my mind on a Saturday night at…
Review: The Precinct in St. Louis
Editor’s note: The Precinct has closed. The identity change from the space that was Jim Edmonds’ 15 Steakhouse to The Precinct has not been a smooth one. Most notably, the law-enforcement theme makes less sense since the St. Louis City Police Headquarters, scheduled to move nearby, continues to be delayed. The departure of The Precinct’s…
Homemade Yogurt
2 quarts
Homemade Granola
1 pint
Vegan Crepes with Cherry Sauce
9 8-inch crepes
Hibiscus syrup
1 cup
Fruit Compote
1 pint
Diablitos’ Flora Margarita
4 servings
Barbecue Sauce
INGREDIENTS 1 poblano pepper1 Tbsp. vegetable oil2 shallots, finely chopped1 Tbsp. minced ginger½ Tbsp. smoked paprika Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste4 cups Dr. Pepper2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 cup ketchup PREPARATION • Char the poblano pepper over an open flame (ideally over applewood chips while you prepare your grill for…
Lavender-infused tequila
4 servings
Make this: vegan crepes
Mother’s Day is special. If we’re lucky, we celebrate in the loving embrace of our family. If we’re really lucky, we binge-watch “Law & Order” while George Clooney scrubs the tub and runs a load of whites. My kids get a kick out of serving me breakfast in bed. I would hate for George to…
Make this: Diablitos?’ Flora margarita
It’s the month of the marg. You know you’re going to have more than one, so batch up this recipe for the tastiest margarita we’ve found lately. Diablitos’ Flora margarita is hyper-floral with notes of lavender, elderflower, hibiscus and roses; the extra effort required to infuse the tequila and make the syrup is well worth…
Naomi Hamamura: A chef whose actions speak louder than words
CHAPTER 1 Dragon & Moon Against the cold, cobbled streets, a chainsaw roared like a weapon, but Naomi Hamamura wielded it like a paintbrush, stroking the 300-pound block of ice softly and deliberately. Seemingly unaware of the crowd pressing in around him or even of the unforgiving late-January chill, Hamamura set his chainsaw down just…
The Scoop: Vito Racanelli, Chris Lee join forces to launch new company, Mustard Seed
{Chef Chris Lee competes during Taste of St. Louis Chef Battle Royale in September 2013. Lee is a two-time Chef Battle Royale champion.} Chefs Vito Racanelli Jr. and Chris Lee have joined forces to form a new company called Mustard Seed. The new venture will be the parent company to Racanelli’s Italian restaurant Mad Tomato…
Horseradish cocktail recipes to try this spring
It’s time again to dig up the pungent plant that has earned nearby Collinsville, Ill., a place on the map as horseradish capital of the world. Sure, you can enjoy this underutilized root in a sharp slaw or fiery mayo, but why not put it in the glass? Bring on the heat in syrups, salts…
First Look: Sweetology
Need a sugar rush? Sweetology will help you get your fix. The new entertainment retail concept focuses on a hands-on baked goods decorating experience, as The Scoop reported in January. Sweetology opened doors April 29 at 9214 Clayton Road in Ladue, in the space previously occupied by the Women’s Exchange of St. Louis. In addition…
