Perennial Artisan Ales partnered with the team behind Olive + Oak to create this inviting, modern brewpub in downtown Webster Groves. The beautiful space perfectly balances urban and rustic features, while the menu is full of powerful flavors and creative, refreshing execution: a reminder that food doesn’t have to be an afterthought at breweries. The salt-crusted, perfectly browned and chewy pretzel monkey bread is a great way to prime your palate for sampling some beers. A cluster of soft and fluffy pretzel balls is served in an adorable miniature cast-iron skillet with silky beer-cheese sauce and grainy, slightly fruity mustard for dipping. The crispy chicken thigh sandwich on brioche with bibb lettuce offers a show stopping punch of Sichuan spice. The draft beer selection highlights new and experimental brews made exclusively for this location by head brewer Chris Kinast, with an emphasis on food-friendly, lower ABV pours.
216 W. Lockwood Ave. Unit B, Webster Groves, 314.682.3823, perennial.oohosp.com
The Sauce 75 is a photomosaic of the best in St. Louis dining. This list is a celebration of the diverse skills, techniques and culinary traditions that meet across our region. In sum, it tells a story about where St. Louis has been, where it is now and where it’s going next. Many great and good St. Louis restaurants have not made the cut. (Seventy-five is a lot fewer than you think!) Restaurants are constantly growing and evolving and go through ups and downs. Newly opened restaurants can take time to find their feet: There are a few exciting new places we’re cheering for, but which we feel haven’t yet fully hit their stride. Read the entire list here.
This article appears in December 2024.