Stuff music-lovers’ stockings with quirky indie rock, Americana or blues
Every so often, a conversation crops up about the needs of the local music scene. One of the most popular threads in that discussion is the lack of that one, definitive local record label that releases guaranteed, quality records and – just as importantly – has a bit of commercial appeal as well. True enough.…
Five ways to please the film buffs on your list
Did you manage to get a PlayStation 3? Were you lucky enough to win the sprint through Toys “R” Us and snag a Tickle Me Elmo Extreme? Congratulations! You’ve successfully joined the herd. Or flock. Or whatever it is that comprises a multitude of lemmings. It’s post-Thanksgiving now. Once upon a time, we called it…
The Holidays Are Good to Go: Restaurants and caterers stand ready to give home cooks a break
My sister, Marby, and I attended St. Patrick’s School in East St. Louis, back in, well, let’s just say, it was back in the day. The Sisters of Loretto, many of whom were from Ireland, were our teachers. At the time, Miss Hullings was one of the most popular restaurants in Downtown St. Louis. One…
Lessen the Leftovers: If it’s just the two of you, downsize your holiday meal
This Thanksgiving, what if you don’t need to add the leaf to the dining room table and lug up extra chairs from the basement? What if you won’t have enough guests to feast on an 18-pound turkey and Costco-sized sides? What if your dinner will resemble a date more than a family gathering? If you’re…
Review: Lucas School House in St. Louis
GUY’S PERSPECTIVE The western edge of Soulard’s Allen Avenue is mostly Dan and Mia Jameson’s, but you, as a guest in their Lucas School House, are undoubtedly welcome. Sometimes, Mia Jameson even greets you at the door. Be it a live music performance, business event or free-food/free-drink open house, Soulard – make that, St. Louis…
Plain But Good Giblet and Thyme Gravy
About 3 cups
Absinthe’s unique buzz may be all in your head
When I mentioned absinthe to friends, I got a few blank stares and some comments about Vincent Van Gogh’s ear and hallucinations. Not a single person mentioned that undiluted absinthe could take the finish off my dining room table. And that would have been good to know. Absinthe has a quite an aura of mystery…
Commercial and heritage breeds alike benefit from life on a farm
I’m lucky to have friends who make wonderful Thanksgiving meals. I am an appreciative guest at their tables, where I’ve eaten slow-roasted, grilled, hickory-smoked, deep-fried and beer-can turkey. But before last year I had never tasted a fresh-dressed, pasture-raised turkey. The taste was a revelation. From the crispy brown skin to the succulent meat, the…
Gather ’Round the Computer: Foodies come together in the blogosphere
On the surface, food blogs look much like other food sites, magazines and cookbooks. But look closer, they stand apart. Food blogs are extraordinarily personal, even when produced with knowledge and professionalism. They radiate curiosity, excitement and creativity. They often exude rich humor, sweet charm and unedited spontaneity. Food blogs are like memoirs with recipes.…
Stella Blues takes pride in eschewing ‘that gourmet stuff’
Best friends since their freshman year of high school, Chris Van Hoogstraat and Mike Russo, co-owners and chefs at Stella Blues Restaurant and Bar, are living the dream. “We love the city,” Van Hoogstraat said. “We grew up in the city and are proud to be business owners here.” Stella Blues, just south of Tower…
No matter how you slice it, turkey’s a tough pairing
In my 35 years in the wine business, the question I’ve been asked most often is, “What wine goes with turkey?” That is not to discount the thousands of different queries concerning how and why this remarkable beverage makes even White Castle cuisine rise above the ordinary. (One of my annual traditions for decades was…
Exposés turn a revealing lens on two of your favorite topics
You’re holding this issue of Sauce Magazine because, chances are, you’re a fan of food. You’re reading this column because you’re a fan of movies. (Or me, but I don’t want to assume too much.) Food and movies. They’re consumables that you gobble up routinely, probably with little thought to what’s involved in bringing them…
Review: Wapango
Oh. My. God! It’s like, totally, my coolest, bestest dream come true. Dude, I have a job that, like, totally requires me to go to the mall. That is awesome. I am so calling my friends. Well, right after I review the superhot new restaurant at THE MALL! So I’m jaded, but the restaurant I…
If we’re not careful, Jesse Irwin’s charisma may carry him far (away)
When Jesse Irwin is around a microphone and stage, anything can happen. A perpetually upbeat, rail-thin, story-a-minute musical dynamo, Irwin’s made a big splash in the local club scene by not only affecting a positive attitude in an all-too-often cliquish world, but also by ramping up an already charismatic vibe when the attention is on…
Simple fare warms chilly Sundays at Thyme Table Café
Ferguson locals flock to the Thyme Table Café for a breakfast that is both tasty and reasonably priced. Located on Florissant Road (midway between Interstates 70 and 270) in the Ferguson Citywalk, a business district with a downtown feel, Thyme Table’s casual atmosphere contributes to its appeal. There’s nothing fancy here, just a friendly place…
Great Pumpkin: Even new twists on the holiday pie start with traditional ingredients
In the fall, growers make headlines with giant pumpkins that win contests for their immense size and weight. But the best ones for baking seem to come in much smaller packages. They’re most often used in classic pumpkin pies, those creamy, custardy creations that some bakers prefer plain but others like to embellish. Usually containing…
