Food and Cooking

Gooey Louie's: King Louie's Empire aims to convert St. Louisans to pizza by the slice

Happy Hour at Café Mochi: Just Roll With It

Café Mochi (3221 South Grand Boulevard, 314-773-5000) The Hours: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday. The Deal: Select rolls are half-off, $1 off beers and two-for-one select cocktails.

DeMun Neighborhood Guide: Fine Dining and Pastrami Deli Sandwiches

St. Louis' neighborhoods are gems in their own right: full of history, great people and, as far as Gut Check is concerned, fantastic food. Each week we'll take you into a specific neighborhood and point you in the direction of the best places to grab some bites. View DeMun in a larger map DeMun is ... More >>

New Restaurant Tidbits: Premierz, the Purple Martin, Annie Moons

Some quick-hit opening news from around town. - Driving South Grand Boulevard the other day, I spotted activity at the former Mikey Moes location at 5535 South Grand, near the intersection with Bates Street. A sign in the front window advertised a new restaurant called Premierz, featuring "American ... More >>

The 5 Best St. Louis Bars to Watch the Man City vs. Chelsea F.C. Match at Busch Stadium

This Thursday, May 23, soccer hooligans will descend upon Busch Stadium. That's right, the world's most beautiful game will be played on a baseball diamond-turned "pitch" (that's British for "field," you noobs). The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and features two of the top contenders in the British P ... More >>

Robust's Pan-Seared Scallops with Ham in Tomato-Truffle Sauce: A Recipe from Joseph Hemp V

This is part three of Gut Check's Chef's Choice profile of Joseph Hemp V of Robust. Read part one, a profile of Hemp, here. Read part two, a Q & A with Hemp, here. Joseph Hemp V, the chef of the popular wine bar and restaurant Robust (227 West Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-963-0033) and its ... More >>

Zpizza Brings Tasty, Organic Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Pizza to Clayton

The Veggielante has had it up to here with people bitching that St. Louis restaurants are vegetarian unfriendly. Sure, we'd like to see more restaurants offering more meatless dishes, but there are excellent choices out there if you take the trouble to look for them. We're not here to proselytize ab ... More >>

Nine Prohibition-Era Cocktails in Honor of The Great Gatsby (And Because We Like to Drink)

"There was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars...In the main hall a bar with a real brass rail was set up, and stocked with gins and liquors and with cordials so lon ... More >>

Being Happy While You Cook and Learning to Love Bourbon: A Q & A with Joseph Hemp V of Robust

This is part two. of Gut Check's Chef's Choice profile of Joseph Hemp V of Robust. Read part one, a profile of Hemp, here. Part three, a recipe from Hemp, will be available later today. As a kid, Joseph Hemp V would stand on a step-stool next to the stove to help make Sunday breakfast, his family's ... More >>

First Look: Sushi Bistro Rolls Sushi and Hibachi Into a Single Concept in Downtown Kirkwood [Photos]

In late February, Kirkwood welcomed a new seafood-centric restaurant to town: Sushi Bistro (343 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-966-5545). The sushi bar and hibachi grill is run by owners Jimmy Li and Zhenkun Lin with chef Andy Chi, whose experience comes from rolling sushi on the East Coast for ... More >>

Anis Hyderabad Cafe Opens in University City

Gut Check learned back in February that an Indian restaurant would open at 8613 Olive Boulevard, the Jeffrey Plaza strip-mall address that previously housed the very-short lived Ethiopian spot Red Sea Cafe & Bar and, before that, Hooked Seafood Bar. See Also: - Red Sea Cafe & Bar Already Closed G ... More >>

Ale Invasion: Flying Saucer lands near Busch III. Beer Ensues.

Slideshow: Photos from Inside Flying Saucer

Adrenaline Junkie Joseph Hemp V Finds a Home in the Kitchen

This is part one of Gut Check's Chef's Choice profile of Joseph Hemp V of Robust. Part two, a Q & A with Hemp, and part three, a recipe from Hemp, will be available on Friday. Growing up, Joseph Hemp V always looked forward to Sunday breakfast. "We were all together as a family," the chef of Robust ... More >>

Soccer Bars and Farmers' Markets: An Updated Guide to Tower Grove

St. Louis' neighborhoods are gems in their own right: full of history, great people and, as far as Gut Check is concerned, fantastic food. Each week we'll take you into a specific neighborhood and point you in the direction of the best places to grab some bites. View Tower Grove in a larger map Tow ... More >>

Maryland House's Gin Rickey: Hump-Day Cocktail Suggestion

As evidenced by the multitude of cocktails consumed throughout the course of Baz Luhrmann's new spectacle, The Great Gatsby, Prohibition didn't exactly halt the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In fact, the alcohol ban inspired drinkers to get creative. One such creative drinker was Col. Joseph ... More >>

The Libertine Opens in Clayton Today

After a soft opening this past weekend -- accounts of which Gut Check espied with much envy -- today is go time for the Libertine (7927 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-862-2999). The new restaurant from the married team of Audra and Nick Luedde, with acclaimed chef Josh Galliano leading the kitchen, ... More >>

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium: Review Preview

By now you are no doubt aware that Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (900 Spruce Street; 314-932-1456) opened in St. Louis earlier this year. You know that the restaurant serves beer -- a lot of beer. And you might have been aware that only this weekend did a few proud St. Louisans try -- but, alas, fa ... More >>

Eat Up at Taste of Maplewood Festival Saturday

Maplewood is a hip, happenin' and, of course, delicious neighborhood full of unique restaurants and shops. The town is celebrating all things yummy this Saturday, May 18 at the 5th annual Taste of Maplewood Street Festival. One block of Sutton Boulevard between Manchester and Hazel will cease to be ... More >>

Saint Louis Art Museum Recruits Chef Edward Farrow for New Restaurant

Gut Check heard through the grapevine a few weeks ago that Chef Edward Farrow, most recently of Phoenix, Arizona, would be moving to town this summer to oversee the new restaurant and café at the Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park Street; 314-721-0072). Yesterday, a press release from the museum ... More >>

Pastaria Adds Brunch Menu

The alternate headline for this post? "Yes, Please, Mr. Craft, Take More of Our Money." Pastaria (7734 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-862-6603), the wildly (and deservedly) successful Italian addition to Gerard Craft's restaurant empire, added brunch service this past weekend, which, not coinciden ... More >>

Vietnamese Restaurant Mi Linh Opens in Rock Hill

Gut Check first learned in March that a Vietnamese restaurant called Mi Linh would open at 9737 Manchester Road in Rock Hill. After a soft opening over this past weekend, Mi Linh is now officially open for business. The restaurant's regular hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 ... More >>

Cini Celebrates Italian Street Food Packed With Veggies

The Veggielante has had it up to here with people bitching that St. Louis restaurants are vegetarian unfriendly. Sure, we'd like to see more restaurants offering more meatless dishes, but there are excellent choices out there if you take the trouble to look for them. We're not here to proselytize ab ... More >>

University City: Delmar Boulevard, from Big Bend to 170

St. Louis' neighborhoods are gems in their own right: full of history, great people and, as far as Gut Check is concerned, fantastic food. Each week we'll take you into a specific neighborhood and point you in the direction of the best places to grab some bites. View West Delmar in a larger map The ... More >>

The Ten Best Food Events in St. Louis This Weekend: May 10 to 12

We hope you're thirsty this weekend. Read on for ways to quench that drinking curiosity with a wine festival, wine walk, beer-lesque, bourbon tasting and bloody mary bar. Besides that, plenty of other drinking and dining options await. Read on for our suggestions. Friday (May 10): Rhythm & Ribs @ ... More >>

The 7 Best Indian Restaurants in St. Louis

Gut Check has been looking back on the Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis 2012, but we're also keeping an eye on the Best of St. Louis 2013 by nominating finalists for our awards this fall. To see hundreds more winners and finalists, suggest your own contenders and download the Riverfront Times Best ... More >>

Tidbits: Sage Now Open for Lunch Only; Bici Cafe Closing Next Month

- A reader tipped Gut Check off that the Soulard restaurant Sage Urban American Grill (1031 Lynch Street; 314-256-1203) was no longer open for dinner -- or perhaps no longer open, period. At any rate, our tipster said he and other diners who arrived at Sage around the time he did, intending to eat d ... More >>

Dave Bailey Announces New Vegetarian Restaurant, Small Batch

Prolific St. Louis restaurateur Dave Bailey (Baileys' Chocolate Bar, Rooster, Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar and Baileys' Range) announced via email last night that he will open yet another restaurant, Small Batch, in the former Ford Motor Building at 3001 Locust Street in Midtown. The new restaurant w ... More >>

The Wine Merchant, Ltd. to Host a Champagne Class Monday

Think you know champagne? Do you understand the importance of an assemblage? Or how to make a fine cuvée? On Monday, May 13, The Wine Merchant, Ltd. (20 S. Hanley Road, Clayton; 314-863-6282) is hosting a special champagne class where guests can learn all about the beloved bubbly brew. The class w ... More >>

Mission Accomplished: Mission Taco Joint spices things up in the Loop

See photos: Inside Mission Taco in the Delmar Loop

8 Great St. Louis Brunch Spots For Mother's Day This Weekend

Of all the greeting-card company holidays manufactured over the years, Mother's Day remains one we're perennially endeared toward...cause let's face it, moms deserves their own holiday. Make Mom's day with a meal at any of these eight St. Louis restaurants, which offer outstanding brunch selections ... More >>

First Look: Gringo Offers Taco Options Like Al Pastor, Octopus and Grasshopper in the Central West End [Photos]

From the formidable forces behind the successful pizza empire that is St. Louis chain Pi Pizzeria comes a new concept called Gringo (398 North Euclid; 314-449-1212), which opened its doors in the Central West End last week with a full menu of tacos, margaritas and more. See also: - Pi Pizzeria Te ... More >>

Chew City

Bar Les Frères' Lobster Bisque: One of 100 St. Louis Dishes You Must Eat Right Now

You could easily spend your entire time at Bar Les Frères (7637 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton; 314-725-8880), the new venture from restaurateur Zoë Robinson Pidgeon and her go-to chef Ny Vongsaly, discussing and (in my case, at least) admiring its quirky décor. Yet to do so would ignore the most impo ... More >>

Tidbits: Sultan Palace, Hong An Open; Chopstix Asian Kitchen Closed

- Last month Gut Check heard from readers -- and saw for ourselves -- that the relatively new Middle-Eastern restaurant Sultan Palace Bakery and Cafe (4144 South Grand Boulevard; 314-875-9653). Calls to the restaurant led to a full voice-mailbox. Now we've heard from at least one reader that the re ... More >>

It's Not Delivery, It's Plastic Fragments: DiGiorno, California Pizza Kitchen Pizzas Recalled

Gut Check was just talking to ourselves the other day: "Self," we said, "it's been a while since we reported on any foods being recalled because of plastic contamination." So we ambled on over (virtually speaking) to the FDA's recall, withdrawal and safety alert website and, lo and behold!, there's ... More >>

Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Cafe Wins Cupcake Wars A Second Time

Congrats to Jilly's Cupcake Bar & Cafe (8509 Delmar Boulevard, Ladue; 314-993-5455), two time winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars! Back in February, Jilly's cupcake chef, Casey Shiller, and its executive chef, Dana Holland, duked it out against other past competitors for a chance at redemption. Th ... More >>

Taste's "Barbacoa": One of the 100 St. Louis Dishes You Must Eat Right Now

The Gut Check One Hundred is our accounting of the 100 dishes in St. Louis that you must eat right now. These are the best dishes at the newest restaurants and the newest dishes at the best restaurants. These are the 100 dishes that define St. Louis dining in 2013. Our list culminates this fall when ... More >>

Is Tonight the Night for Gerard Craft at the James Beard Awards?

This evening the James Beard Foundation will announce the winners of its annual Restaurant and Chef Awards at a gala event in New York City. For the fourth time in the past five years, Gerard Craft of Niche (7734 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-773-7755), et al., is one of five finalists in the "Bes ... More >>

Vegetarians Get the Royal Treatment at Three Kings Public House in the Delmar Loop

The Veggielante has had it up to here with people bitching that St. Louis restaurants are vegetarian unfriendly. Sure, we'd like to see more restaurants offering more meatless dishes, but there are excellent choices out there if you take the trouble to look for them. We're not here to proselytize ab ... More >>

The Ten Best Food Events in St. Louis This Weekend: May 4 to 6

Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day and First Friday are only a few of the excuses to get out and get your drink on this weekend. Besides that, rejoice over the bounty of a new farmers' market season in Tower Grove Park, celebrate Big Sky Cafe's 21st anniversary or take a tour or class this weekend. Details on ... More >>

Green Bean's "Pueblito" Salad: One of 100 St. Louis Dishes You Must Eat Right Now

The Gut Check One Hundred is our accounting of the 100 dishes in St. Louis that you must eat right now. These are the best dishes at the newest restaurants and the newest dishes at the best restaurants. These are the 100 dishes that define St. Louis dining in 2013. Our list culminates this fall when ... More >>

Farmhaus Hosting Shane Wine Cellars Dinner on May 8

Seats remain for the first wine dinner at Kevin Willmann's acclaimed Farmhaus (3257 Ivanhoe Avenue; 314-647-3800) next Wednesday, May 8. The dinner will pair four courses with wines from Shane Wine Cellars. Shane owner and winemaker Shane Finley will attend the event. In an e-mail to Gut Check, Far ... More >>

Milagro Modern Mexican's Craig Bielke: Featured Bartender of the Week

The agave has been juiced, the limes have been purchased and the tequila has been stocked. Milagro Modern Mexican (20 Allen Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-962-4300) is ready to make hundreds of margaritas in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Milagro isn't hosting a garish Cinco party, but as the winner of ... More >>

A New Bromance: Bar Les Frères is a welcome addition to the Zoë restaurant family

Slideshow: Inside Bar Les Frères in Clayton

Taste's Grilled Asparagus with Crisp Poached Egg: One of 100 St. Louis Dishes You Must Eat Right Now

The Gut Check One Hundred is our accounting of the 100 dishes in St. Louis that you must eat right now. These are the best dishes at the newest restaurants and the newest dishes at the best restaurants. These are the 100 dishes that define St. Louis dining in 2013. Our list culminates this fall when ... More >>

Loving Las Vegas and MSG: A Q & A with Qui Tran of Mai Lee

This is part two of Gut Check's Chef's Choice profile of Qui Tran of Mai Lee. Read part one, a profile of Tran, here. Part three, a recipe from Tran, will be available on Friday. Mai Lee (8396 Music Memorial Drive, Brentwood; 314-645-2835) isn't simply a job for chef Qui Tran. It's his legacy. His ... More >>

Gut Check's Guide to Drinko Cinco de Mayo in St. Louis: 26 Food and Drink Specials

Whether you observe Drinko de Mayo, or its less quippy counterpart Cinco de Drinko, we all unite this Sunday, May 5, to drink fishbowl margaritas in the streets of St. Louis. It might not be a real national holiday in Mexico or America, but that doesn't halt our revelry, and in the spirit of al past ... More >>

Happy Hour at Mango Peruvian Cuisine: Imbibing, Incan Style

Mango Peruvian Cuisine (1101 Lucas Avenue, 314-621-9993) The Hours: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and late-night happy hour Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Deal: $5 margaritas, martinis and wines, $3 premium drafts, $16 pitchers of sangria and $5 select small-plate d ... More >>

First Look: Central Table Food Hall Offers Artisan Eats in the Central West End [Photos]

The highly anticipated Central Table Food Hall (23 South Euclid Avenue; 314-932-5595) takes up an entire city block. So you can imagine how silly we felt when we unknowingly drove past the 10,000-square-foot space during our first visit before doors opened on May 1. To the unassuming eye, nothing mo ... More >>

Sanctuaria's Mint Julep: Gut Check's Hump-Day Cocktail Suggestion

Wednesday. Hump Day. Congrats, you've made it halfway through the work week! Unfortunately, you still have two days to go. Dunno about you, but in order to survive the midweek blues, we're going to need a drink. Which brings us to our Wednesday Gut Check feature: "Gut Check's Hump-Day Cocktail S ... More >>