The Gin Room owner Natasha Bahrami, this week’s The Sauce podcast guest and the cover star of our September issue, opens up about family, flavor and what makes St. Louis so special. “I’m very nostalgic with these things,” she said. “My father was such a special human who loved to hunt down the best underrated places.”
Her father’s legacy shaped not only her own career but also the city’s dining scene, as he was the taste maker behind many of the most addictive marinades, sauces and dishes at the family’s beloved Café Natasha. “I’m so in love with St. Louis, and it has been guided by my father’s legacy,” she said. “He would scour the city for the hidden gems and flavor bombs and owners who cared passionately about what they do.”
Before you get into the list, we’d like to mention that you can come meet Natasha and the Sauce team from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, at The Gin Room for The Cover, Cocktails & Campari, a FREE party celebrating Negroni Week and the September issue of Sauce Magazine.
And now, here are five of her favorite spots in St. Louis right now.
Akar
“Arrive early. Order everything. Do yourself a favor and order a double order of chef Bernie [Lee]’s Taiwanese cabbage, a family secret recipe that is so addictive. Short ribs, mapo tofu, udon noodles – everything is always intentionally flavorful and inspired by his family recipes from around Malaysia and beyond.”
7641 Wydown Blvd., Clayton, akarstl.com
Pho Long
“We have a recent OG gem to relocate inside the South Grand district – Pho Long (recently purchased the King & I building) – owned by Tuyen Hua, a longtime restaurateur raised in his family’s restaurants. The pho broth is full flavor and has just the right balance to heal most emotional and dreary weather days. Finish off with a dirty martini with warm spice pepper brine at The Gin Room. Pho and dirty martinis are such an underrated perfect pairing.”
3611 Juniata St., St. Louis, 314.833.4333
A Touch of Texas
“Hidden in the corner of Arsenal and Grand, A Touch of Texas run by Coach and his wife has an alluring aroma of barbecue smoke from their prominent outdoor smokers that catches me every time. Their massive fall-off-the-bone beef ribs don’t even need sauce, and served with a side of their addictive smoked spaghetti will be all you need for a happy food coma.”
3559 Arsenal St, St. Louis, Instagram: @a_touch_of_texas_bbq
Thai 202
“So, I don’t like fried rice. I also am technically allergic to pineapple. Yet. I crave the pineapple fried rice at Thai 202. Always hits.”
235 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, thai202stl.com
Yellowbelly
“There is something special about a really great frozen piña colada that can transport you to tropical vacation mode… perhaps even for a moment within the chaos of our daily lives. The one from Tim Wiggins’ team at Yellowbelly is that tropical boozy treat.”
4659 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, yellowbellystl.com