You say goodbye, Ian says hello

Several openings to report this week. I'll start with the Delmar Loop, which has seen a flurry of recent activity. In University City, Wong's Wok has opened at 565 Melville Avenue. (Melville is the side street to the immediate west of Blueberry Hill.) Wong's Wok was previously located in the Market of the Loop, which closed earlier this year and is now being renovated into a stand-alone Racanelli's. Wong's new location is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Call 314-726-0976 for more information.

Pam's Chicago-Style Dogs & More (314-721-7267) is now open at 6016 Delmar Boulevard, east of Skinker Boulevard. The menu includes hot dogs (duh) as well as tamales, breakfast fare (slingers!) and even deep-fried Twinkies. Pam's is open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun.

A few blocks farther east at 5898 Delmar is a new barbecue joint, Sir-B-Que (314-875-0500). The menu includes steaks, ribs and snoots, as well as fish and chicken. Just down the street at 5860 Delmar is Nubia Café (314-367-8200), featuring African and Caribbean cuisine.

In Webster Groves a new Thai restaurant has opened at 8158 Big Bend Boulevard. Tei Too (314-961-8889) is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

The old Lemp stable at 1821 Cherokee Street is now the home of the restaurant, bar and micro-distillery the Stable (314-771-8500). The Stable distills gin, vodka and other spirits on-site and also features a fantastic list of draft and bottled beers.

One closing to report: KoKo, the pan-Latin restaurant at 3257 Ivanhoe Avenue, has closed after a run of roughly a year and a half.

Do you love the hot dog? This Saturday, June 28, the City Museum hosts Dog Day Afternoon, to honor the hot dog in all its splendor, featuring regional as well as international variations of the beloved frankfurter. The event runs 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and features live music. The proceedings are included with regular museum admission. Call 314-231-2489 for more information.

Are you opening a new restaurant? Know of a place that has closed? Something else for Ian to chew on? E-mail ian.froeb@riverfronttimes.com. And check out this column's virtual doppelganger at http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/gutcheck.