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We try new restaurants and bars that open in the area so we can make meaningful recommendations on where you should go. Here’s where made the cut in May.

Scroll through the slideshow below to learn more about Lucy Quinn Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Off Elm The STL Barkeep team is at it again with their second brick-and-mortar location. After their first bar The Vandy experienced great success in its location just outside the Grove, the team decided to bring its inventive cocktails to Webster Groves. The Ibiza Sunset was our favorite cocktail of the night, citrusy and sweet with a blend of gins, pineapple amaro and plenty of orgeat’s almondy goodness on the nose. From the “Weird” section of the menu, we enjoyed The Chokehold, a complex cocktail that was both savory and sweet with artichoke amaro, red wine syrup, lemon and a house-made cilantro liqueur that we wish came through a little stronger. Another winner was the Put Up a Fight, which was creamy and foamy with a bourbon base and a touch of pistachio nuttiness. The snacks menu is quite succinct, but we were psyched to see the bagel pizza on the menu utilizing its base from neighboring Bagel Union, and it did not disappoint. While Off Elm is marketing itself as a cocktail bar and not a restaurant, the snacks are hearty enough to call dinner. 8709 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.502.9272, offelmstl.com Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Off Elm’s bagel pizza utilizes bagels from neighboring Bagel Union. Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Off Elm’s Ibiza Sunset Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Lucy Quinn Acclaimed chef Ben Welch, known for his time at local spots like Big Baby Q, The Midwestern and Botanica, has officially opened his own spot — two, really — in the Grove in the former home of Beast Craft BBQ Co. Named after his grandmother, Lucy Quinn is a traditional restaurant while adjacent Little Lucy is more of a diner (and Little Lucy will surely get its own Hist List feature in the coming months). The menu is all about Southern influences with a special nod to New Orleans, where Welch spent time working under Emeril Lagasse. The verdant, slightly spicy and tangy roasted cabbage with green tahini, herb dukkah and berbere was an incredible appetizer for the main meal and negated our normal need for a starter salad. The benne seed duck fat milk bread was another superlative starter, with delicious sorghum butter and pimento cheese for dipping. The gnocchi made with a four-cheese mornay was a feast of creamy, cheesy goodness. The rich and hearty double cheeseburger, touted by some in our dining party as the best burger in town, featured a heavy spread of pimento cheese and was tangy with a touch of sweetness thanks to the addition of tomato jam, along with garlic aioli and pickles on brioche. The thick-cut LQ Fries were well-seasoned, triple-cooked wedges served with a generous portion of roasted garlic mayo. On the drinks side, our favorite was the tropical, gin-based Delta Queen, strong, sweet and fruity and served in a Hurricane glass with a twisty straw and umbrella for some playful pizazz. We also enjoyed the light and refreshing La Bise, which was fruity but not too sweet with rum, ginger liqueur, prosecco, pineapple and lime. The King Street Trolley, was another hit, less sweet but still citrusy with floral elderflower notes. Be sure to save room for dessert. The dulce le leche bean pie, made with navy beans, is a sweeter version of the traditionally more savory dish thanks to the addition of cinnamon chantilly. 4156 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, littlelucyquinn.com Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Lucy Quinn’s roasted cabbage Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Lucy Quinn’s dulce de leche bean pie Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Lucy Quinn’s King Street Trolley, left, and Delta Queen Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Keep Quiet Speakeasies are having a moment, so naturally Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. and Little Lager had to get in on the trend. The brewery and beer bar have collaborated on this postage-stamp-sized cocktail bar that’s situated just behind Urban Chestnut’s Midtown patio. The finely tuned menu offers just a handful of drinks. The tiramisu milk punch was stout with clarified bourbon, both cinnamon-infused and double chocolate vodka, along with Licor 43, Borghetti, Fireball and tiramisu liqueur. The Brooklyn Changed Me, reminiscent of an Old-Fashioned, was another good choice. Buyer beware: We found the amaretto-soaked gummy bears to be a bit unreasonably expensive, coming in at $14 for six regular-sized gummy bears. 3229 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Instagram: @keepquietstl Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
Keep Quiet’s amaretto-soaked gummy bears Credit: photo by Lauren Healey

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Lauren is a longtime journalist who has honed her writing, reporting, editing and photography skills in various roles at newspapers, magazines and websites in the Midwest. Her time spent with Sauce since...