Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Copper Pig

Located in the up and coming SOHA neighborhood @4611 Macklind Ave is the new restaurant- Copper Pig.  The atmosphere is cool and it was bustling on a Saturday night.  I went to dinner with a friend before a house party. We started with the Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Miso and Bacon which was served warm and a delight. For the main course, my dinner guest has the Braised Short Rib, which took a while to come out, though was very tasty. I had the Bulgogi Cheesesteak sandwich. I have never met a cheesesteak sandwich that I did not like, though this one was a little heavy on the bread and uneventful.  It came with tater tots which were basically tater tots with catsup...I guess I have been spoiled by the variety of french fries served in restaurants across town. (I am still thinking about the yummy Truffle Parmesan French Fries I had at Basso a couple nights before!) We were too full for dessert, though the table next to us looked like they were enjoying some delicious desserts. 

When in the neighborhood, check out artist Julie Malone's SOHA Studio and Gallery. Also nearby are two other yummy restaurants: Russell's and Grapeseed. 

St. Louis Restaurants We Wish Would Come Back

The Lettuce Leaf

Some St. Louisans say that the Lettuce Leaf was a brilliant idea, but just ahead of its time.

Founded in 1976 in Clayton, the Lettuce Leaf was the creation of SLU professor William Saigh and his wife, Christine.

Salads as entrees was a new idea to St. Louis, but the business worked and they opened three more St. Louis area stores and one in Kansas City. In 1991, the Saighs sold the business to some employees.

The Parkmoor

Before the Parkmoor closed for good in 1999, regulars and some newcomers descended on the Clayton Road and Big Bend Boulevard landmark one last time.

They dined on Kingburgers and onion rings and dreamed of the day the restaurant might be rejuvenated, as owner Lou Ellen McGinley talked about.

Alas, it didn't happen. And now, the site of the old Parkmoor is just another Walgreens.

Info pulled from STL Today. To see more restaurant that are gone that we love click: here

Seoul Taco

So I am late to the game, though I finally went to Seoul Taco when visiting my son over the weekend at Mizzou.  Very good and I loved their decor....as you probably already know....they also have a location on Delmar in St. Louis!

And just for fun....look at the AC units outside my son's frat house. Can you imagine what an inspector would say?  I wonder if they still work!

Newsworthy - "Private Kitchen" in U City

If you walk in to Mr. Lawrence Chen's "Private Kitchen" restaurant in U City without a reservation, you are going to be out of luck. This restaurant requires that you both have a reservation, and order in advance. 

This will seem odd to many, but they have a good reason. Emily Chen explains that they actually shop for ingredients on a daily basis based on what people order in advance.

The restaurant is on the small side (seating about 24 people), and has a a few other interesting quirks.

Upon seating, you will notice that it is rather silent, as they do not play any music (you can hear Chef Chen cooking your meal in the kitchen). But nevertheless, it is a great experience. Based on these details it may seem that Private Kitchen is elusive and pretentious. But you'd be wrong! Mr. Chen designed it this way as to allow him to control the flow of customers, inventory and every other detail. 

Overall it is a fantastic new and notable restaurant and you should check it out. For a more in depth review, check out Sauce Magazines piece on the restaurant (the print version is better), or this article here.

Rating:

Price Range: $10-$36

Yelp Score: 4 Stars

Zomato: 3.3 Stars

 

The Tavern- CWE

I lamented Cucina Pazzo closing on Euclid in the CWE, though the same group opened The Tavern in the space.  It was quite good...the biscuit bread they serve when you first sit down is sinful!  I had Cobia with their Asian Sesame Seared preparation...my dinner partners had the Filet Trio and Chicken Saltimbocca.  All were excellent!  We will be back!

The Tavern is Open in the CWE

I am sad that Cucina Pazzo is gone, though The Tavern looks exciting that took it's place on Euclid in the CWE. Owned by the same people. 

Sidney Street Cafe- a dependable standard

What do you do when you try to have dinner at the Peacemaker and the wait is too long....go to Kevin Nashan's other restaurant down the street- Sidney Street Cafe.  I shared the Ham Hock Tortellini and Lobster Turnovers....followed by a special Heirloom Tomato Salad....and then...Wood-Grilled Snapper.  All delicious! Our server, Kevin, was attentive and nice.

The Shack

Yesterday I ate at The Shack located in Frontenac off Lindbergh!  They are now open for dinner... in addition to breakfast & lunch hours.  The food is certain to please you!  Don't forget to write on the walls.

http://www.shackstl.com

 

Il Bel Lago

The other week my oldest son (the younger son stayed in Milwaukee this Summer) looked at me and said he wanted Italian for dinner. I asked him to recommend a place. He said that his phone app recommended Il Bel Lago off of Olive in Creve Coeur. "Good grief"...I told him that was in West County in a strip mall. We tried it anyway. It was a delight....so good....I am craving another trip. The service was also very attentive.

"After 30 years of dining excellence at Giovanni’s On The Hill, Giovanni’s sons Frank and Carmelo branched out and brought a taste of The Hill to Creve Coeur in 2004 in the form of Il Bel Lago."

Check out their website HERE

 

Colleen's Cookies

The other day I grabbed lunch at Colleen's Cookies located at 7337 Forsyth....no, I did not have a cookie for lunch  though I did bring back some for the office staff! They have yummy sandwiches and more!  Check it out....also a great place for coffee!

Publico

Last night my son and I checked out Publico located at 6679 Delmar in The Loop.  

"A true Taberna, Público features Hand crafted cocktails, a custom wood burning hearth and an exploration of Latin American flavors. Central and South American traditional style of cuisine with a strong Spanish and Island influence. All coming from a wood fire hearth."

Publico is brought to you by the same people as A Good Pie and Half and Half...two established winners!

My son and I both give this restaurant two thumbs up.....delicious....check it out!

 

Clementine's Creamery- Lafayette Square

Last week I made it over to Clementine's Creamery in Lafayette Square after a nice, lite dinner at Pho Grand. I was disappointed that they did not have Key Lime ice cream in stock, though had a scoop of Manchego with Truffles and Honey...and a scoop of Strawberry with Balsamic and White Pepper.  They have a two scoop minimum...I had to! Naughty or Nice refers to boozy or non-boozy flavors. The space is well stylized. Check it out!

 

Kimcheese

Before catching the latest Avengers movie at Creve Coeur 12, my son and I checked out Kimcheese. Asian Fusion food....Korean Mexican??? All I know is that it was yummy and worth checking out!  They have a location where the old Oberweis store was near Creve Coeur 12 at 10441 Olive Rd and another further West at 13435 Olive.

Village Bar in Des Peres- Demolition Expected

Unfortunately everybody's favorite burger dive is soon to be closed. The wood-frame structure from 1890 housing the Village Bar is expected to be demolished, making way for a new development. Don't forget to grab one of their legendary burgers one more time before it is too late!!

Does this mean the Wig Shop is doomed also?

To read more click here

Pop Up Dinner! @ Hand & Hammer by Hiro

Earlier this week I attended a Pop Up Dinner hosted at super cool Hand & Hammer Imports and prepared by Berni Lee of Hiro. The food was creative and yummy. You have to check out Hand & Hammer's gallery on Lafayette just West of Jefferson.

Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery

Yesterday I attended Tasteful Affair to benefit Food Outreach at the Four Seasons. One of the highlights was tasting the ice cream delights of Clementine's.  They are opening in early May at 1637 South Eighteenth Street in Lafayette Square. I tried their non-alcoholic Key Lime and Chocolate Heaven ice cream....they also had some yummy "boozy" flavors like Moscow Mule.  I can't wait for them to open!

Evangeline's CWE

Evangeline's was hopping last Friday night....live music....good crowd....great food!  Located at the corner of Euclid and Washington....I am so glad it is doing well!

Kingside Diner to Open Next Month in CWE

Owner/Chef of Herbie's in the Central West End plans to open a new diner in the old Lester's spot! Seeking to do something of Herbie's quality, but in a different level of dining. The new diner will have a much different look than Lester's which closed its doors in November. With food available until 3AM, and blue plate specials available on the weekend this is truly going to be a great addition to the Central West End. Read more about it HERE. Website for the new restaurant HERE.

Aaron Teitelbaum- chef/owner of Herbie's Vintage '72 and formerly Monarch

Amy's Corner Bakeshop

Over the weekend I stumbled into Amy's Corner Bakeshop in The Grove area of the CWE. It was cute and I had a nice turkey club sandwich. The Grove is becoming a vibrant and fun place to hang out. How it has changed over the last 10 years. Click HERE for Amy's website.

Winfield's Gathering Place

Last week I checked out Winfield's Gathering Place in Kirkwood. Owned by Mark Winfield and former St.Louis Cardinals player Jimmy Edmonds. The space is the original St. Louis Bread Co located at Woodlawn and Manchester Roads. The featured items are a large selection of BBQ. I decided to check out the Lobster Wontons for an appetizer and Herbed Grilled Salmon. Both were excellent. I need to try the BBQ, though was just not in the mood when I was there. They do not take reservations, except for large groups. The wait was not more than 15 minutes on a Thursday night.

Check out their website HERE.

Sauce on the Side

On these cold and slushy days having lunch delivered to my Clayton office is so nice. We recently discovered Sauce on the Side. I have driven by their location on Forsyth often and for some reason thought it was a BBQ place. They have Clayton and Downtown locations. Their calzones are a treat, though I warn you that you may have to take a nap at work after eating one. Yesterday I needed to stay perky and tried their Smoke House Salad- adding some chicken....very good! Click HERE for their menu and website.

Check Out This New Restaurant in Augusta, Missouri!

I have heard absolutely raving reviews about this fun restaurant located in Augusta. I am itching to try it myself. The food looks good, and they appear to have a pretty diverse menu which always makes for an exceptional dining experience. It is even family friendly, so you can enjoy it with family after a day of wine tasting and pecking around in the shops that Augusta has to offer. Avid cyclist of The Katy Trail might also enjoy that The Silly Goose will soon be featuring call-ahead picnic baskets packed with delicious food starting this spring, a great way to enjoy a meal without a long intermission on the days ride or even have a more intimate experience with a friend or lover.

Does anyone know why the goose is silly and not the duck? Am I the only one who has wondered this? 

Click Here for their Website.

Grapeseed Restaurant

This week I visited Grapeseed located at 5400 Nottingham located in the fun SOHA neighborhood. Close to one of my favorite restaurants- Russell's and Julie Malone's art gallery.

This restaurant is a winner! The frites were served with an aioli dipping sauce and the yummiest catsup spiced with a hint of curry! The Shrimp and Grits are delectable.... And the Flatiron steak was local and flavorful.

I will be back when Julie has her next big Art Opening!

Whitebox- A Delicious New Addition to Clayton

My new favorite place for lunch or even a quick breakfast bite is Whitebox in Clayton. It is a fantastic addition to the area located near the Ritz-Carlton and across from the Carondelet Plaza. A delicious, upscale take on salads, sandwiches and pastries...I love the Pesto Veggie Salad- though I add Chicken.They even offer selective delivery and catering, a good way to make a boring office meeting more exciting. 

Check out their menu HERE.

Three Flags Tavern

I have heard so much about Three Flags Tavern recently that I had to check it out.  Mostly what I have heard is that the food is great and it is hard to get a reservation. 

It was easy to get a 7:30 PM reservation on Tuesday night.

The food was really good.  I need to go back and try some more menu items. I heard the Brisket Burger is yummy... and the Lamb Burger.  I had the pork and my guest had the trout. The only negative was the Fried Smelt appetizer. Most of the pieces were delicious with the Lemon Aioli dipping sauce, though I did eat a couple that had a really strong fishy taste.

Located at 4940 Southwest near The Hill.

Old Standard

My son and I stopped by Old Standard last night for dinner. So good... not only diet plan though worth an extra 30 min on the treadmill and a salad for lunch today.

 

Fort Taco

Located at 8106 Manchester Rd in Brentwood is a little piece of heaven....Fort Taco. Soft taco shells slightly fried filled with beef, cheese and all the fixings.

This is the first location. Local company!

http://www.forttaco.com

Avenue- New Restaurant in Clayton

Last night I checked out Avenue in Clayton located at 12 N. Meramec. This stylish new restaurant is from the same people who brought you Pomme at a new location. We did not have a reservation and waited for 20 minutes, which was not bad.....because this is the place to go! I must have know 1/3 of the restaurant goers. The food was good....I had a nice seared Grouper and started with some pumpkin-filled ravioli with prosciutto.

Death in the Afternoon

I checked out Death in the Afternoon yesterday for lunch.....they are not open for dinner. The restaurant is stylish and perched on the edge of the City Garden. My experience was a delight.  I tried their double burger which has the cheese on the inside of the patty.....decadent. You can rent the space for parties in the evening.

Cantina Laredo

Last night I checked out the newly opened Cantina Laredo in Clayton's Centene Center ... Forsyth and Hanley.

The restaurant looks great and features "upscale" Mexican.

The food was good and the margaritas tasty.

They have a nice outside area with fire pits that will be fun to sit in when the weather is better.

It is a national chain which is a little disappointing.

Dinner @ Planter's House

Last night I took my sons, brother and my friend, Charlie to dinner at Planter's House located at 1000 Mississippi in the Lafayette Square area. The famous duck burgers were the attraction and specialty cocktails!

And now for photos taken through their crystal clear specialty ice cubes!

Old Standard Fried Chicken

Last night we checked out Old Standard Fried Chicken located at 1621 Tower Grove Ave. There was a little bit of a wait since they don't take reservations, though it was worth it! Everything was so good and I will definitely be back. We even had dessert!

Peacemaker Lobster & Crab

This week I had pleasure of eating at Peacemaker this week in the old Niche space in Benton Park. The food was great....I had the Peacemaker Hogie.  The design of the restaurant is perfect....very well stylized!

Le Grand Market and Catering

Today I was on Chippewa and popped by Le Grand's for lunch....my first time.  The Legend Club served warm was one of the best sandwiches I have enjoyed. It was sort of like Imo's Meat Lover's Pizza in a sandwich. Located at 4414 Donovan a block off of Chippewa....in an old Tom Boy store. The only thing better than the sandwich was the nice lady at the check out line...she somehow squeezed about 5 endearments into our transaction....I wish I wrote them down....though they were all better than calling me "Peaches".

Truffles of Ladue Adds a Butcher Shop

I went to an event at Truffles in Ladue earlier this week for the Dielmann Sotheby's team of Peddle for a Cause. Their Truffle WIld Mushroom Risotto is worth the trip.....so good.  Their hamburgers are also a treat. I walked by their new butcher shop that has opened in a adjoining space. Read more HERE

Enchanted Embelishments and Mary Ann's Tea House

Yesterday I went to a little preview luncheon at Mary Ann's Tea House in the back of Enchanted Embellishments. Located at 4732 McPherson Ave in the popular CWE.  I had a cup of their Mushroom Brie Soup which was perfect. All of the other food was exceptional. They are now open for lunch!

 

Soup

Fork and Stix

You must try Fork and Stix in The Loop area. So good!

Jilly's Ice Cream Shop

Jilly's Cupcakes have always been a guilty passion for a sweet bite...well their beef brisket sandwich is even more irresistible!  They have recently opened up an ice cream parlor near their McKnight and Delmar establishment. I had to try it out so I could inform my dear blog readers. I tried the German Chocolate Cake ice cream, though the Peach Cobbler is next on my list!  Click HERE for the website.

Pizzaria Mia

On this pleasant day, I took a break and tried out Pizzaria Mia in the CWE. It is located at the corner of Taylor and Maryland. A nice quiet area of the CWE.

My Gyro Pizza was tasty!

Planter's House

My son Teddy and I went to Planter's House last night to check out their Duck Burger that everyone in town is raving about.  It was really to die for!  The french fries were the best I have had in St. Louis. The cocktails were inventive and fun also! (He is 21 now!)