Stanley Browne, owner of Webster Groves’ Robust Wine Bar, has joined forces with chef Eric Brenner, owner of the recently shuttered Moxy Bistro, to offer full-service food and beverage catering.
Brenner and Browne have known one another for over a decade. “He was in charge of wine sales at Bommarito Wines when I was working at Truffles,” explained Brenner. “I got to know him there and pretty much every place I worked after that, I’d work with Stanley on some level. He would do my wine list or the bulk of it. Then he opened his own place. We’d meet up and talk. We’ve kind of been watching each other grow in our own right.”
A few years ago, Brenner expanded his culinary prowess and began consulting, designing the menus at several local spots, including the revamped Molly’s in Soulard. He continues to serve as chef consultant for the Isle of Capri Casinos. “They turn four restaurants a year. My travel is usually during the week and catering jobs are mostly on the weekend, so it won’t conflict at all,” Brenner said.
Brenner called teaming up with Browne “so natural and so right. I wanted to work with Stanley. He’s got some growth in his future. I wanted to have some place in St. Louis to cook. He’s the only guy that’s come to me with something I can do in St. Louis that is different than what I’ve already done. I’ve never gotten into catering full-on.”
The addition of Brenner to the Robust team follows on the heels of another newsworthy hire: GM Frank Romano, who brings extensive event experience to the catering venture.
photo by Josh Monken
This article appears in Sep 1-30, 2010.