Raise a stein to 4 Oktoberfests this weekend
Kick off Oktoberfest season with a bang this weekend, from family-friendly affairs to all-day shenanigans. 1. Oktoberfest ABJoin the folks over at Anheuser-Busch for beer like Spaten Oktoberfest and Franziskaner, Bavarian pretzel sticks, German bands and more.Free admission. Sat., Sept. 29 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Brewery…
Good Fortune finds another home in Botanical Heights
Editor’s Note: Good Fortune has closed. Good Fortune, the long-anticipated modern Chinese-American eatery from Bob Brazell, Ryan McDonald and Hannah Chung of Byrd & Barrel and Corey Smale, former co-owner of Strange Donuts, has found a new home once again. Smale said Good Fortune will open for business at 1641 Tower Grove Ave., in the…
1956 Utah will bring vegetarian, vegan pub fare to Benton Park
More vegetarian and vegan options will be available in Benton Park this fall. As reported by NextSTL, a new veggie-centric restaurant, dubbed 1956 Utah after the address of the building, is set to open in the South City neighborhood in November. “I’ve been vegetarian, almost vegan, for 25 years,” said executive chef Christopher Bertke. “It’s definitely better…
Cupcake bakery The Cup launches a Tiny Truck
Fans of The Cup can now seek out their favorite buttercream-topped treats all over town. The Cup Tiny Truck joined the ranks of St. Louis’ food trucks in August, selling gooey butter cake bars and a variety of buttercream cupcakes. The truck travels between St. Louis city and soon, St. Louis County, and is available for…
St. Louis restaurants to raise additional aid for hurricane victims
St. Louis-area restaurants are coming together once again to provide aid for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria victims. The Hamilton Restaurant Group hosts the Saint Louis Restaurants Hurricane Relief Fundraiser tomorrow, Sept. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Moulin Events. Proceeds from this ticketed event will be split between nonprofits AmeriCares and the Love for…
3 lambics to celebrate Zwanze Day 2017
Cantillon Zwanze Day is this weekend, and the beer nerds are amped. Zwanze Day is Brasserie Cantillon’s salute to lambic and is marked by a worldwide toast of that year’s Zwanze beer. The Side Project Cellar hosts this sold-out celebration again this year, but you can still imbibe a glass of lambic around St. Louis…
Mike Randolph will open Privado in former Randolfi’s space
owner of Randolfi’s, Mike Randolph // photo by greg rannells for mike randolph Mike Randolph is finally getting his experimental fine-dining restaurant. As The Scoop reported in late August, Randolph closed his Italian Randolfi’s at 6665 Delmar Blvd. earlier this month. He plans to open Privado in the same space in October. “It is exciting,”…
First Look: Earthbound Beer on Cherokee Street
At long last, Earthbound Beer’s new home is ready to welcome customers. The brewery and tasting room at 2724 Cherokee St., opens Saturday, Sept. 23. The massive 2,500-square foot tasting room has been a project two years in the making. As The Scoop reported in September 2015, co-owners and brewers Stuart Keating, Rebecca Schranz and…
Recipe: Crabcake Bites
Indulging in these decadent little crabcake bites immediately brings me back to my college days in New Orleans when the nights were long and the shellfish plentiful. Since then I’ve have this gnawing desire to fashion a batch of crispy, rich, restaurant-worthy crabcakes – minus any intimidating frills or overly elaborate cooking methods. The concoction…
Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Milkshake
Boozy milkshakes are a fun, trendy dessert option. Peaches and bourbon are a great combination, and that left me with a fun “free” fifth ingredient to choose. Mint? Vanilla or almond extract? My decision was made for me when I realized the rock-hard peaches I picked up the previous day hadn’t quite achieved perfectly ripe…
First Look: Pig & Pickle in DeBaliviere
Editor’s Note: Pig & Pickle has closed. Chef-owner Ryan Lewis is putting the finishing touches on his new restaurant, Pig & Pickle, opening at 5511 Pershing Ave., on Friday, Sept. 29. Those who’ve passed through Springfield, Illinois in recent years may have stopped at Lewis’ previous restaurant, Driftwood Eatery & Cocktail. As The Scoop reported…
CWE, Delmar Loop restaurants rally after damage to storefronts
In the wake of the not-guilty verdict against former St. Louis police officer Jason Stockley on Friday, Sept. 15, in the shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith, demonstrators have protested the outcome around the city, including the Central West End and the Delmar Loop. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but some vandalism of area businesses,…
First Look: Hugo’s Pizzeria in Midtown
Restaurateur Dave Bailey’s latest venture, Hugo’s Pizzeria, opened doors today, Sept. 20, at 3135 Olive St., in Midtown, formerly home to The Good Pie. As The Scoop reported in March, Hugo’s marks Bailey’s seventh restaurant concept in the St. Louis area. He named the pizzeria for his son. The menu at Hugo’s is based around a…
3 more tasty events to indulge in this weekend
Whether it’s a taste of Malaysia or a Taco-Rita, there are plenty of ways to fill up this weekend. Here are three more events for those who’re still peckish: 1. A Table in ProvenceEnjoy five courses of fine food and French wines at Five Bistro at this Provencal wine dinner. Enjoy a tomato galette with…
First Look: St. Louis Soup Dumplings in University City
St. Louis is home to dozens of Chinese restaurants, and this week, one more will join the ranks when St. Louis Soup Dumplings opens Friday, Sept. 22, at 8110 Olive Blvd., in University City. The restaurant is the brainchild of Lawrence Chen and his wife, Emily Yang, who own Private Kitchen, located just two doors down…
6 rosés for a hot September summer weekend
St. Louis summers never end in September. What better way to combat 90-degree weekends than with a refreshing rosé? Here, six beloved bottles that cash in at $14 or less. 1. Scaia Rosato$12.50. Parker’s Table, 7118 Oakland Ave., Richmond Heights, 314.645.2050, parkerstable.com 2. Charles & Charles Rosé$13. Dierbergs, 1080 Lindemann Road, St. Louis, 314.238.0400, dierbergs.com 3.…
Recipe: Cloud Eggs
Cloud eggs are the latest Instagram-worthy breakfast trend. They are so simple to put together, and they make a gorgeous presentation. The egg whites are fluffed up beforehand, so they are soft and airy. The pesto underneath adds lovely herbal seasoning, and the runny yolk provides a nice texture. Serve alongside toast and bacon or sausage.…
Build-your-own poke bowl spot Poke Doke will open in the CWE
Central West End will soon see its first build-your-own poke bowl restaurant, Poke Doke. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, siblings Andrew, Annie, Leon and Steve Shih will open Poke Doke at 8 S. Euclid Ave., in October. While riffs on the Hawaiian raw fish salad have popped up on St. Louis menus for years,…
Knead Bakehouse & Provisions will offer fresh bread in Southampton
There’s a bun in South City’s oven, and it’s due this October. Knead Bakehouse & Provisions will open at 3467 Hampton Ave., the former home of Salume Beddu. Owners AJ and Kirsten Brown said Knead will offer fresh bread and baked goods to the area. “Our goal is bringing that old world style of bread…
5 bottles of budget booze to buy now
Looking for quality spirits at swill prices? From third party-manufactured house brands to underpriced hidden gems, here are some first-rate options that won’t break the bank. 1. Great King Street Glasgow BlendScotch is expensive. This smoky, peaty, blended bottle from Compass Box is a tasty and economical intro to the heavier flavors of Islay.$35. Lukas…
Top 3 house-made pretzels in St. Louis
Is there anything better equipped to satiate hunger and simultaneously increase thirst than the pub pretzel? I haven’t found it. A bready, delicious heft of hot, salty carbs served with mustard and cheese for slathering, washed down with a cold pint, it’s the perfect feast. While the pretzel is decidedly German, it has taken on…
Recipe: Harissa Chicken
Using yogurt as a marinade is a great way to keep chicken tender and juicy. Like buttermilk, the acid in a dairy marinade actually tenderizes the meat and imparts its slightly tart taste to the chicken. Spicy harissa is tempered by the dairy and brightened by the lemon zest. Harissa can be found at most…
First Look: Westport Social in Maryland Heights
Get in touch with your inner child at Westport Social, which opened earlier this month at 910 Westport Plaza Drive in Maryland Heights. The cavernous, adults-only space – almost 14,000 square feet – is billed as a “classic bar and gaming lounge” with an extensive selection of beer, wine and house cocktails, elevated pub grub…
First Look: Essentially Fries Food Truck
Bacon chocolate chip cookies are available for dessert. Kick off the weekend with a basket of fries from one of the city’s newest food trucks, Essentially Fries. The truck debuts this Friday, Sept. 8, at Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park. As The Scoop reported in May, Edibles & Essentials chef-owner Matt Borchardt announced…
Cider-Glazed Pork Roast
8 servings
Romesco Sauce
1 1/4 cups sauce
Bratwurst
20 6-inch links
Italian Sausage
20 6-inch links
Taste’s Janus Cocktail
1 serving
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage
10 to 12 servings
Grandma’s Potato Dumplings
4 to 6 servings
5 easy-drinking lime beers to sip now
Bud Light Lime is my go-to for easy-to-find, perfect-in-a-bucket beer that won’t leave you slobbering at the table while watching your favorite team. It might not be beer nerd-approved, but there is something about that sweet, zesty lime character paired with Budweiser’s adjunct lager graininess that gets me. Now American craft is jumping on the…
Recipe: Crispy Granola
I confess I have never been a fan of granola, but now I will have to amend that statement to “I have never been a fan of store-bought granola.” This granola is magnificent with yogurt or even just eaten plain as a snack. The cardamom and vanilla add a nice bit of spice, and the…
First Look: Grace Meat & Three in The Grove
Chef Rick Lewis is bringing his southern food to The Grove. Grace Meat & Three will open Wed., Sept. 13 at 4270 Manchester Ave., in the former home of Sweetie Pie’s at The Mangrove. As The Scoop reported in June, Lewis left his role as executive chef of Southern to open his own project with…
Pizzeoli founder sells Soulard pizzeria
Pizzeoli founder Scott Sandler // photo by dave moorePizzeoli in Soulard is now under new ownership. Founder Scott Sandler sold the popular vegetarian pizzeria to Kyle Weber, effective Tuesday, Sept. 5, as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Sandler said he sold Pizzeoli to focus his attention on his other pizza restaurant, Pizza Head, which opened…
First Look: Pangea in St. Charles
Pangea, the debut restaurant from chef-owner Jessie Gilroy, is set to open Thursday, Sept. 7, at 3245 Rue Royale St., in The New Town neighborhood in St. Charles. “We’re focusing on simple food with bold flavors,” said Gilroy, who most recently served as sous chef at Sidney Street Cafe. To that end, she’s put together…
Review: Kalbi Taco Shack on Cherokee Street
The aptly named Kalbi Taco Shack on Cherokee Street’s Antique Row is a no-frills operation. But that’s not a mark against it – the casual setup reveals a focus on the Asian-Mexican fare coming out of the kitchen. Both the adored cuisines are craveably combined with a variety of meats, gooey cheese, fresh vegetables and…
Review: Tapped in Maplewood
At the newly opened Tapped in Maplewood, there’s no need to fear diving into that tempting blueberry maple Imperial stout that would normally pose too big a risk. You need only hold your credit card-linked electronic bracelet to the stout’s marquee plaque, pull the tap of the self-serve system and a splash of suds is…
The easiest romesco recipe – and 4 delicious ways to use it
I’m clinging to summer like a pool float in the deep end. I love fresh produce, minimalist cooking and dining alfresco, but if I’m being entirely honest, a small amount of culinary ennui from too many breezy brat-and-beer meals has set in, too. So this month, I’m toe-dipping into next season’s fare with homemade romesco…
Recipe: Trout Livornese
Named for Livorno, Italy, this flavorful stovetop dish is perfect when summer’s heat still lingers, but there’s less time for leisurely cooking. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, saute 2 cups chopped tomatoes, ½ cup chopped kalamata olives, ½ cup chopped red onion, ¼ cup chopped capers, 2 cloves minced garlic and ¼…
First Look: The Cut on Cherokee Street
Editor’s Note: The Cut has closed. Ari Jo Ellis is sharpening her knives for the first service at The Cut, her new restaurant inside The Fortune Teller Bar at 2635 Cherokee St. Doors open tonight, Sept. 1, at 5 p.m. As The Scoop reported in August, The Fortune Teller Bar’s owners approached Ellis (Sauce Ones…
First Class Glass: Brandy beguiles a new generation
These days, people are more likely to get excited about the ’90s R&B Brandy than the oft-overlooked spirit. Perhaps it’s the confusing nomenclature: What’s the difference between Cognac, Armagnac and schnapps? Maybe it’s brandy’s stuffy, cigar-jacketed image – it just isn’t considered as sexy as whiskey (or as catchy as “The Boy Is Mine”). “People…
Mona’s on The Hill will close doors this Sunday
After less than a year in business, owner Brendan Marsden is closing doors at Mona’s – An American-Italian Joint on The Hill. The restaurant’s last day of dinner service will be Sunday, Sept. 3. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s a decision that I had to make and decided to focus on some more important things in…
St. Louis restaurants rally community support for Hurricane Harvey victims
In wake of the recent tragedy in Texas, St. Louis restaurateurs and customers alike have banded together to send aid to the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Demun Oyster Bar’s Tom Halaska, Byrd & Barrel’s Bob Brazell, Ices Plain & Fancy’s Max Crask and state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. organized the Babies & Fur-Babies Hurricane Supply…
6 St. Louis neighborhood bars where everybody knows your name
The neighborhood bar. Some think there should be a pool table present; others, a jukebox in the corner, maybe karaoke or trivia nights on the regular. But these are merely amenities. The key to a neighborhood bar is the neighborhood engendered and cultivated inside four unique walls. It’s where patrons can sing along to the…
Wine, Naturally
If you loiter in bottle aisles as long as we do, you’ve probably noticed the term “natural wine” popping up more and more in the past few years. In the age of knowing what your beef ate for breakfast, it’s no surprise that people are interested in a less processed version of their favorite beverage. But…
6 drinking trends on the bar in St. Louis now
1. Shake It OffLove ’em or hate ’em, milkshake IPAs made a splash this summer. These creamy, dreamsicle-like IPAs are brewed with fruit and lactose sugars commonly used in milk stouts that gives their signature thick, rich mouth feel. Pennsylvania’s Tired Hands and Sweden’s Omnipollo Brewing kicked off the trend in 2015 with the titular…
What I Do: Alisha Blackwell-Calvert of Reeds American Table
Certified sommelier Alisha Blackwell-Calvert has a knack for navigation. She spends most of her time curating and guiding customers through Reeds American Table’s award-winning wine list, but on Saturdays, she squires tourists about town in a carriage drawn by a horse named Moose. Blackwell-Calvert recently left a promising career in beverage distribution to reenter the…
Eat This: Root Vegetable Tagine at Olio
We are obsessed with the Root Vegetable Tagine at Olio. Turmeric-scented rice serves as the base for a plethora of root vegetables including rutabaga, parsnips, carrots and turnips. Their varied sweetness is complemented by coriander, cumin, ginger and the exotic flavors of cardamom and orange blossom. A handful of rehydrated cranberries provides a tart, fruity…
Hit List: 3 new restaurants to try this September
From a monster food truck to Chinese street food in The Loop, don’t miss these three new restaurants. 1. Nudo House 11423 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, 314.274.8046, Facebook: Nudo House STLSt. Louis-area ramen fans have flocked to Nudo House, the long-awaited noodle shop from Mai Lee’s Qui Tran and Marie-Anne Velasco. Step up to the counter…
Shake up a Big O Painkiller with this local liqueur
A truly local product, Big O Ginger Liqueur is a favorite in our drinking repertoire. With lush hints of cinnamon, allspice and clove wrapped around fresh ginger, it’s great for enhancing and updating classic recipes. Try it in a Big O Painkiller: In a shaker, combine 4 ounces pineapple juice, 1½ ounces aged rum, 1½…
Review: Polite Society in Lafayette Square
The preppy older gent dining alone at the two-top next to me started with a plate of chicken wings. After a few bites, a slight, sly expression emerged across his face. A surprising display of sublimity, I thought, for something as basic as a wings appetizer. Opportunities for such satisfaction abound at Polite Society, which…
White Rooster Farmhouse Brewery makes Sparta, Illinois, a beer destination
Sitting at the bar at White Rooster Farmhouse Brewery, I’m nervous. I definitely like beer. I always grab craft over the big guys at the store, but I can’t identify hops or define the mash or debate fermentation methods. In a city where beer-lovers can spend hours geeking out on the finite details of every…
Spirits Scholar
Tall, bespectacled and often bow-tied, Andrew Lucido has quietly and steadily climbed the ranks to become one of the area’s most respected barkeeps, evidenced by his current gig as bar manager of the venerable Taste, a position he assumed earlier this summer. Before Lucido ascended to such lofty heights, he started working in the industry…
The Butcher’s Daughter: Family recipes to remember
White paper, twine and knives. Some of the earliest memories I have of my dad are of white paper and twine and knives. Not the standard perhaps, but as a butcher’s daughter, it was a normal part of life for me. When I was very young, my dad, Joe Kroupa, worked in a small grocery/meat…
