Stanley and Arlene Browne, husband and wife owners of Robust, are just a couple days away from opening doors at the newest location for their wine bar, shop and cafe concept in downtown Edwardsville, Ill. Last May, they announced the expansion of the Robust brand for a third time, taking the location at 126 N. Main St., previously occupied by Erato on Main. Renovations now complete, Robust will open doors for dinner this Thursday, Aug. 22.
The core menu at the new Robust will be the same as that at its sister restaurants downtown and in Webster Groves. Arlene Browne added there will be distinct specials at the Edwardsville location, and there are individual specials at the other locations, too. Similar to downtown Robust space, the Edwardsville outpost also will have a few larger plates on the menu.
Although Joseph L. Hemp is the executive chef for all Robust locations and its catering arm, on a day-to-day basis it will be general manager Brendan Hickman, formerly of Demun Oyster Bar and Salt, overseeing kitchen operations in Edwardsville. Other members of the Robust E-ville team include sous chef Ben Rudis and sommelier Byron Beiermann, a native of Edwardsville who joins the team having worked at the luxury St. Regis Aspen Resort in Colorado.
Former patrons of Erato on Main will notice numerous changes to the space. “It looks completely different,” remarked Browne, who called the interior design a “modern vintage” look with lots of dark wood, chandeliers, covered leather benches, gilded chairs and an immense mirror in an gilded antique frame that holds court in the wall across from the bar. The retail section has been created in the center space between the front and rear dining areas.
“I love the space! I love this location!” said an excited Browne. Robust was a vendor at a recent cycling event in Edwardsville. “I cannot get over the overwhelming support that we got from the community,” she said of the event. “People were so excited … introduced themselves to us. It’s an amazing and supporting community. I feel so welcome and can’t wait to serve all our new customers.”
Robust will have only dinner service during its first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of business. Beginning the following weekend, it will expand its hours to include lunch. Sunday hours are still to be determined.
This article appears in August 2013.