Food and Cooking

Sip the Summer Away: Ten great outdoor-drinking destinations

Built to Suit: BrickTop's is based in Nashville, but it hits home at Plaza Frontenac

Review Preview: BrickTop's Restaurant

This week, I visit BrickTop's Restaurant (1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard; Frontenac; 314-567-6300), the small, upscale chain that opened its first area location at Plaza Frontenac late last year. Page through for a sneak preview of my review.

The Ten Best Places to Eat Out With Grandpa in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Carl's Jr., the Hardee's of the West Coast, Test Markets Ice Cream "Brrrger"

Questionable dessert interpretations of the burger aren't new. Japanese company Happy Kitchen sells a candy hamburger kit to meet the high demand of making fast-food-inspired confections at home, while stateside sweets seller Efrutti produces weirdly adorable novelty gummy candy mini-hamburgers, hot ... More >>

The Five Best Spots for Comfort Food in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Show-Me Steak: Missourian Randy Santel eats his way into record books

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

National Survey Hails Crown Candy Kitchen, the Good Pie, Pappy's Smokehouse, Ted Drewes

Opinionated About Dining strikes again. In March, the restaurant website's annual survey, which draws from 70,000 reviews by 3,000 users, ranked Niche (1831 Sidney Street; 314-773-7755) one of the nation's top 100 restaurants. In April, it released the survey results by region, and six St. Louis re ... More >>

Victor's (a.k.a. Vic's) Opening in Roberts Tower After All?

Last week, I stopped by the former Shula's 347 Grill (411 North Eighth Street) in the Roberts Tower downtown to see what had become of its sucessor, Vic's on the Plaza. A brief recap, if you're late to the story: Shula's 347 Grill opened in May of last year, but then closed in December after the co ... More >>

Taste of Maplewood

Last week, I stopped by the former Shula's 347 Grill (411 North Eighth Street) in the Roberts Tower downtown to see what had become of its sucessor, Vic's on the Plaza. A brief recap, if you're late to the story: Shula's 347 Grill opened in May of last year, but then closed in December after the co ... More >>

Brunching at Brasserie by Niche

Where: Brasserie by Niche (4580 Laclede Avenue; 314-454-0600) When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We Tried: The brioche French toast with lemon curd ($8) and the quiche du jour ($8) The Verdict: To some, weekend brunch is an exclusively American pastime. We congregate to restaurants ... More >>

Busch Stadium's "St. Louis Dog" Among Baseball's "Craziest" Hot Dogs, Apparently

The "St. Louis Dog" is this year's signature item at the Food Network's concession stand at Busch Stadium, a quarter-pound, all-beef hot dog topped with barbecue sauce, shredded Provel cheese and crumbled Red Hot Riplets. When Gut Check sampled the "St. Louis Dog" last month, we weren't impressed, e ... More >>

The Veggielante Relishes Baileys' Range

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 >>

Tidbits from J. Gumbo's, Pumpernickels

- Looks like another fast-casual chain is setting up shop in St. Louis: A trusted operative tells Gut Check that J. Gumbo's will open in the Central West End. (We have an exact address, but we're working to confirm it.) J. Gumbo's, which as its name might suggest specializes in Creole and Cajun far ... More >>

South Grand Tidbits: JR Crickets, Restaurant California, Sultan Palace, More

Let us catch up on several months of developments on South Grand Boulevard: - Gut Check told you back in February that the Atlanta-based chain JR Crickets Wings & Things would open its first area location at 3737 South Grand Boulevard, previously the home of Mama Pho Vietnamese Restaurant. The rest ... More >>

Ten Best Food Events This Weekend: May 11-13

Friday (May 11): Food Truck Friday @ Tower Grove Park The season's first Food Truck Friday brings the the St. Louis Food Truck Association along with other vendors to Tower Grove Park for plenty of tasty meals on wheels. The list of vendors includes the likes of Seoul Taco, 2 Girls 4 Wheels, Go G ... More >>

Plush is the most ambitious drinking, dining and dance establishment St. Louis has seen in a decade

Friday (May 11): Food Truck Friday @ Tower Grove Park The season's first Food Truck Friday brings the the St. Louis Food Truck Association along with other vendors to Tower Grove Park for plenty of tasty meals on wheels. The list of vendors includes the likes of Seoul Taco, 2 Girls 4 Wheels, Go G ... More >>

Gut Check's Mother's Day Brunch Roundup

Because it's Gut Check's preferred modus operandi to celebrate people by feeding them (and ourselves), we love making Mother's Day brunch plans. We love it so much, in fact, that we've compiled a list of our favorite places to treat Mom to this year on Sunday, May 13.

The Five Best (Cheap) Italian Restaurants in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Around The World In 80 Plates Premieres Tonight Featuring Local Harvest's Clara Moore

As Gut Check reported on March 7, chef Clara Moore of Local Harvest Cafe & Catering (3137 Morganford Road; 314-772-8815) will compete on Bravo's reality cooking competition show Around the World in 80 Plates, premiering tonight at 9 p.m. CST.

It's National Hamburger Month: Celebrate At the Five Best Burger Joints in St. Louis

May is National Hamburger Month, which means if you need Gut Check, we'll be celebrating this fake 30-day holiday at our favorite burger joints in St. Louis. Though White Castle doesn't make the cut for this list, they do get an honorable mention for not only tipping us off to this four-week burger ... More >>

The Veggielante Soaks Up OR Smoothie & Café

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 >>

Buffalo-Wing-Flavored Soda, Wine Perfume Hit Shelves Despite Nobody Asking For Either

All right, so the end of days might be nigh. Is that an overreaction to learning that a buffalo-wing-flavored soda recently hit the market, as did a line of perfumes scented to smell like wine varieties? OK, perhaps it's a slight overreaction, but come on, when solid food becomes inspiration for lib ... More >>

Pomme Cafe and Wine Bar's Josh Martsolf: Featured Bartender of the Week

Welcome to Girl Walks Into a Bar, a weekly Gut Check feature that spotlights local bars and bartenders. This week, Emily Wasserman profiles Pomme Cafe and Wine Bar's Josh Martsolf. Below is a Q&A with Martsolf, followed by his recipe for the Asian Pear Martini.Amongst the bigwigs of the Clayton rest ... More >>

The Veggielante Peeks Murdoch Perk

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 >>

Texas Eatery Holds Patrons Hostage Over Tip Dispute, We Grouse About Automatic Gratuity

Working in the food service business is a two-way street. Sometimes patrons offend with rude behavior, tiresome substitution requests or by carting along their obnoxious children who cry, run amok and spoil everything for everyone. And then, sometimes, it's the restaurant, chef or waitstaff who disa ... More >>

Brunching at Boardwalk Cafe

Where:Boardwalk Café (600 E. Lockwood, Webster Groves; 314-963-0013) When: Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m to 2 p.m. We Tried: Webster Skillet ($6.75) and French Toast ($5.50) The Verdict: From the outset the Boardwalk Cafe in Webster Groves looks small, unassuming; but do not be fooled. Thi ... More >>

Gut Check's Guide to Cinco de Mayo

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, is Cinco de Drinko Mayo. Though at best a regional holiday in Mexico, we here in the U.S. of A. can't get enough reveling on Sabado 5 de Mayo. Don't get us wrong, we at Gut Check also enjoy indulging in margaritas on the rocks and Mexican food, and thus have compiled a lis ... More >>

A new fast-casual concept — the "Urban Bake & Chop Shop" — draws crowds in Clayton

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 5, is Cinco de Drinko Mayo. Though at best a regional holiday in Mexico, we here in the U.S. of A. can't get enough reveling on Sabado 5 de Mayo. Don't get us wrong, we at Gut Check also enjoy indulging in margaritas on the rocks and Mexican food, and thus have compiled a lis ... More >>

The Five Best (Not Cheap) Italian Restaurants in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Tidbits from Pint Size Bakery & Coffee, Oceano Bistro

- Pint Size Bakery & Coffee opened this morning at 3825 Watson Road in south city. Pint Size features baked goods from Christy Augustin, whose career includes time as the pastry chef at Sidney Street Cafe (2000 Sidney Street; 314-771-5777) and the late, great King Louie's. Pint Size is open from 7 ... More >>

The Veggielante Visits Foundation Grounds

Destination: Foundation Grounds (7298 Manchester; 314-601-3588) Neighborhood: Maplewood Cuisine: American, Contemporary Overview: Foundation Grounds is a colorful coffee shop and café in the bustling Maplewood neighborhood that prides itself on serving fresh, organic food and quality coffee. The ... More >>

Review Preview: Crushed Red

This week I visit Crushed Red (8007 Maryland Avenue, Clayton; 314-725-8007), the new fast-casual concept whose partners include veteran restaurateur Chris LaRocca and chef Jason Tilford. Page through for a sneak preview of my review.

Devi Gurung States of Everest Cafe

This is part one of Rease Kirchner's Chef's Choice profile of Devi Gurung States of Everest Cafe. Part two, a Q&A, will be published tomorrow, and part three, a recipe from States, will be available on Thursday.Gut Check was very excited to head to the Grove neighborhood to speak with Dr. Devi Gurun ... More >>

Araka Is Not Closing, OK?

Did you hear the rumor that Araka (131 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton; 314-725-6777) is closing? It's false. Araka is not closing. Funny thing is, Gut Check didn't hear this rumor until we received an email from Araka's PR rep telling us that this rumor (which, again, we hadn't heard) was false. Confus ... More >>

Wendy's Adds Poutine to Canadian Menus Nationwide, Argues It's Canada's National Dish

America has a tendency to ignore Canada, our neglected neighbors to the north, only paying enough attention to mock their accents. Canada, however, has a history as rich as our own -- minus a civil war, of course. They vote for an elected government, put their pants on one leg at a time and even dri ... More >>

2012 St. Louis Food Blogger Bake Sale April 28 at Sappington Farmers' Market

Warning: The mental images produced by the following descriptions of items offered at the 2012 St. Louis Food Blogger Bake Sale might cause uncontrollable cravings and excessive salivation. The second annual St. Louis event is part of a national effort to benefit Share Our Strength, the nation's lea ... More >>

Oh, Mickey's: 'Cue so fine, it blows food critic's mind

Warning: The mental images produced by the following descriptions of items offered at the 2012 St. Louis Food Blogger Bake Sale might cause uncontrollable cravings and excessive salivation. The second annual St. Louis event is part of a national effort to benefit Share Our Strength, the nation's lea ... More >>

First Look: Joe's Chili Bowl

Unlike Jim Fiala's Terrace View, which previously occupied the restaurant space in Citygarden, Joe's Chili Bowl (808 Chestnut Street; 314-241-7070) is a complete departure from upscale dining. The surroundings remain exquisite, featuring views of Market Street and Busch Stadium, but the vibe is much ... More >>

The Nine Best Wine Bars in St. Louis

Gut Check has been looking back on the Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis 2011, but we're also keeping an eye on the Best of St. Louis 2012 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 >>

Dining Out For Life: Which St. Louis Restaurants Have the Biggest Hearts?

Tomorrow, April 26, participating St. Louis restaurants will donate a portion of their daily earnings to Dining Out For Life, a national event that benefits and raises awareness for AIDS service organizations. With a heart full of compassion and tactlessness, Gut Check wondered which restaurants wer ... More >>

Fast Food Happy Hour: Dairy Queen, Sonic Drive-In and Steak 'n Shake

Gut Check generally associates happy hour specials with booze because we're adults. If you're not an adult though, you might associate happy hour with Dairy Queen, Sonic Drive-in or Steak 'n Shake, which now all have their own happy hours specials offering half-priced drinks between the hours of 2 t ... More >>

Q&A With New Metro East Craft Brewery East Wind Brewing Company

St. Louis is up to its ears in microbreweries. Everywhere you turn, there's a festival, tour or tap house promoting all the hops you can drink. So is all hope lost if you have the urge to brew? Luckily, even within this saturated market, drinkers and brewers alike are welcoming to brewers who are tr ... More >>

The Ten Best Outdoor Dining Spots in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Tavolo V Serves Up Delicate, Vibrant Italian Dishes in the Delmar Loop

On March 31, restaurateur Michael Del Pietro opened the doors to Tavolo V (6118 Delmar Boulevard; 314-721-4333), which joins the list of his growing tree of Italian eateries including Pazzo's Pizzeria (140 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-6500), Babbo's Spaghetteria (17402 Chesterfield Airport ... More >>

The Veggielante Surveys Schlafly Bottleworks

Destination: Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Avenue; 314-241-2337) Neighborhood: Maplewood Cuisine: American, Contemporary Overview: The name Schlafly is likely to spark a craving for some quality microbrews, but beer isn't the only thing it has to offer St. Louis vegetarians.

The Ten Best Dessert Spots in St. Louis

Selecting Riverfront Times' Best of St. Louis 2011 was no picnic. Choosing the winner meant several worthy candidates would go unmentioned -- until now. In this Gut Check series, we are chewing our way through notable runners up in a number of categories. To see hundreds more winners and finalists a ... More >>

Ten Best Food Events This Weekend: April 20-23

Friday (Apr. 20): Around the World Wine Dinner @ Missouri Botanical Garden Chefs from Catering St. Louis create a menu focusing on France: The Rhone Valley. The four-course meal with hors d'oeuvres and wine pairings includes menu items such as braised beef shank in red wine-olive-currant reductio ... More >>

Q: What do you call a restaurant-winery combo in Chesterfield? A: Tame old tame old.

Friday (Apr. 20): Around the World Wine Dinner @ Missouri Botanical Garden Chefs from Catering St. Louis create a menu focusing on France: The Rhone Valley. The four-course meal with hors d'oeuvres and wine pairings includes menu items such as braised beef shank in red wine-olive-currant reductio ... More >>

Trying and Failing to Conquer the Beer Margarita at El Maguey

There isn't much Gut Check is willing to thank the Jersey Shore for popularizing, but hey, we do love crazy, bizarre, unholy food and drink combinations. Not-so-recently (like two years ago), Jersey Shore cast-members were photographed drinking frozen margaritas with upturned Corona bottles garnishi ... More >>