Food Blog

St. Louis Restaurant Openings and Closings June 2020

by Cheryl Baehr on July 3, 2020 at 7:23AM

To say that the last few months have been a difficult time for the restaurant business is the understatement of the decade. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the St. Louis area this March, the industry was turned upside down and thrust into a future that remains uncertain.

Jeff Friesen of Taco Buddha Is Ready to Serve Again

by Cheryl Baehr on June 30, 2020 at 6:15AM

Jeff Friesen is the first to admit that learning how to run a restaurant in the midst of a pandemic has involved a lot of trial and error — even when he's thought he's gotten things down pat, they've had a funny way of showing him otherwise. "Reopening a taco restaurant on Taco Tuesday during Cinco de Mayo was a mistake," Friesen says.

UPDATE: Parlor and Takashima Records Are Temporarily Closed As Sexual Assault Allegations Rock the Grove

by Cheryl Baehr on June 24, 2020 at 9:30AM

This article has been updated with a statement from Sean Baltzell, through his attorney. Parlor (4170 Manchester Avenue, 314-833-4999), a popular arcade bar, and Takashima Records (4095 Chouteau Avenue, 314-571-9133), a new vinyl listening lounge, are temporarily closed.

Meaghan Coltrain Turns to Passion Project After Coronavirus Lay Off

by Cheryl Baehr on June 23, 2020 at 9:33AM

where they film the Today show — it was so crazy to see the numbers. When I flew back, there were only twenty people on a full-size Southwest flight, which was a good indication that something was awry and things were going to be happening."

Crossing Paths With O'Connell's Pub Owner Jack Parker

by Thomas Crone on June 22, 2020 at 10:28AM

Aside from a couple of random cash hustles, my first real job was enjoyed as a busboy at O’Connell’s Pub, circa 1985, or thereabouts. That, of course, meant that the bar’s longtime owner Jack Parker was my first boss.

Lulu's Local Eatery Is For Sale; Beloved Vegan Restaurant's Future Uncertain

by Cheryl Baehr on June 22, 2020 at 9:02AM

Lulu's Local Eatery (3201 South Grand Boulevard, 314-300-8215), the beloved South Grand vegan restaurant, is for sale. Owners Lauren "Lulu" Loomis and Robbie Tucker are stepping away from the restaurant, hoping that a buyer will be able to carry on the brand.

Citing 'Troubled History,' Savage Restaurant Changes Name to Shift

by Cheryl Baehr on June 22, 2020 at 6:05AM

Reflecting on its troublesome connotation, chef and owner Logan Ely has changed the name of Savage Restaurant. The Fox Park eatery is now called Shift (2655 Ann Avenue, 314-354-8488).

Bakers for Black Lives Returns Sunday for a Juneteenth Jubilee

by Cheryl Baehr on June 19, 2020 at 1:54PM

event that maybe food can be the bridge that gives people the courage to civically engage," Kerne says. For more information on the Bakers for Black Lives Juneteenth Jubilee, visit the event's Facebook page.

La Patisserie Chouquette Preparing a Different Juneteenth This Year

by Cheryl Baehr on June 18, 2020 at 6:28AM

Simone Faure knows that this year's Juneteenth celebration at her bakery La Patisserie Chouquette (1626 Tower Grove Avenue, 314-932-7935), will be much different than those of in the past. A year ago, the shop was filled with students from the neighboring Montessori school learning about the holiday's significance while eating tea cakes and drinking hibiscus tea.

Laid Off During the Coronavirus, Hannah Kerne Knows Her Future Is in Food

by Cheryl Baehr on June 16, 2020 at 6:52AM

As someone with a background in U.S.-China crisis public relations related to international trade, Hannah Kerne is used to dealing with constant upheaval. Still, having her professional life turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic has been jarring.

BEAST Craft BBQ to Open Third Location, Change Format of Grove Smokehouse

by Cheryl Baehr on June 15, 2020 at 6:10AM

The COVID-19 pandemic is not slowing down Dave and Meggan Sandusky. The BEAST Craft BBQ (20 South Belt W, Belleville, Illinois; 618-257-9000) owners have announced big changes to their restaurant group, including a third location, a change in format at their Grove location, BEAST Butcher & Block (4156 Manchester Avenue, 314-944-6003), and a new butchery delivery service.

Zenwich Is Now Open in the Central West End

by Cheryl Baehr on June 12, 2020 at 9:24AM

Chai Ploentham remembers his first taste of Zenwich (8 1/2 Euclid Avenue) at the original Elmhurst, Illinois location. So impressed was he with his sandwich that he didn't just give his compliments to the chef; he asked her if he could buy the place.

What Would Jesus Christ Supercar Drink?

by Thomas Crone on June 11, 2020 at 7:01AM

Be it an official trend, pattern or some other term, there’s been a distinct, growing movement toward regional breweries and bands hooking up on short-run projects of late. The list now includes offerings from: Public House Brewing Company (The Urge-inspired Receiving the Gift of Flavor Belgian Wit), Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (Pokey LaFarge Pilsner), Logboat Brewing Company (Falling Fences Irish Red Ale) and Earthbound Beer (iLLPHONiCS’ blueberry blonde ale, iLLiXR).

Remembering Local Chef Kitchen Before It's Gone

by Cheryl Baehr on June 11, 2020 at 6:15AM

Tony and Melvin have been so loyal, and I felt like I couldn't close then, because they would be thrown in with the thousands of other unemployed people in town. Also, people were so thankful we were open for curbside, because quality local food seemed to be at the top of their minds.

A Pandemic Was the One Thing Helen Rosenhoffer of BEAST Craft BBQ Couldn't Plan

by Cheryl Baehr on June 9, 2020 at 6:15AM

about what’s next for the companies.

Switchgrass Spirits Experimenting Like ... a Craft Brewer

by Thomas Crone on June 5, 2020 at 11:31AM

You’d be forgiven for thinking that distillers might have to be a bit more conservative in their visions than brewers, as the pace of their releases are typically measured in the years, rather than the weeks or the months. That said, Switchgrass Spirits, a new(ish) local concern is trying to push a release schedule that’ll find a core of products settled alongside an evolving blend of collaborations and experiments.

St. Louis Pastry Chefs Hosting Bakers for Black Lives Event Sunday

by Cheryl Baehr on June 5, 2020 at 6:15AM

This Sunday, some of St. Louis' top pastry chefs will gather in the Central West End for an epic bake sale that is about much more than delicious treats. The event, Bakers for Black Lives, is a collective action of several prominent members of the area's pastry community, organized to show support for the civil rights movement that has arisen following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

American Falafel Is Now Open in the Delmar Loop

by Cheryl Baehr on June 4, 2020 at 9:51AM

Mohammed Qadadeh can't help but laugh when asked why he would open a restaurant in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and social upheaval currently rocking the country. "One taste of our food, and you'll know why I decided to open this," Qadadeh says.

Kurt Bellon Knew Chao Baan's First Year Would Be Tough, But Not This Tough

by Cheryl Baehr on June 2, 2020 at 6:05AM

cancer, which he was so strong throughout. Honestly, that was one of the best perspectives to get: No matter how hard anything was going on a particular day, seeing his strength and resolve through that experience made things seem easier."

9 Mile Garden, St. Louis' First Food Truck Garden, to Open July 3

by Cheryl Baehr on June 2, 2020 at 6:01AM

After seven months of anticipation, St. Louis' food truck fans will soon have reason to celebrate: 9 Mile Garden (9375 Gravois Road, Affton), the state's first food truck garden, is scheduled to open July 3. 9 Mile Garden's organizers announced the opening date yesterday, noting a weekend full of opening festivities, including musical acts, charitable events, activities, an outdoor movie screening and, of course, delicious food.

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