Subject: Ian Froeb

• FoodWire: Trattoria Marcella Closed Until Friday After Car Crash

  Trattoria Marcella (3600 Watson Road) will be closed until this Friday evening to repair damage from a car that crashed into its front entrance this weekend. No one was injured in the accident, which occurred several hours after the restaurant had closed. For more information on reservations, call 314-352-7600.- Ian Froeb

  December 22, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Thursday, 10.23

  October 23, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Tuesday, 10.28

  October 28, 2008

• From Fail Blog, Presented Without Comment

  October 28, 2008

• The (Late) Morning Brew: Thursday, 10.30

  October 30, 2008

• The Morning Boo: Friday, 10.31

  October 31, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Monday, 11.3

  November 3, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Tuesday, 11.4

  November 4, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Thursday, 11.6

  November 6, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Friday, 11.7

  November 7, 2008

• We Now Resume Our Regularly Scheduled Programming

  I'm back, y'all. Slightly tanned, mostly rested and ready to return to Mexico post haste resume Gut Check in all its daily splendor. So, uh, what did I miss? - Ian Froeb

  November 18, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Wednesday, 11.19

  A new study suggests that obese children are actually eating fewer calories than they need -- and almost none of the nutrients their bodies require. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram) Nestle recalls some Lean Cuisine frozen dinners because of plastic in the food. (Los Angeles Times) Restaurants with a strong shopping-mall presence prepare for a rough holiday season. (Wall Street Journal) - Ian Froeb

  November 19, 2008

• In This Week's Issue: The Fountain on Locust and Colorado Bob's Ship of Fools

  My review of the Fountain on Locust is now available online. Also in this week's issue: Kristie ventures to Colorado Bob's Ship of Fools for a Midnight Sun, pissed-off vets and stories of rumrunning. - Ian Froeb

  November 19, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Thursday, 11.20

  Yes, it's that time again: the Beaujolais Nouveau is here. This year, though, producers aren't very excited. (Wall Street Journal) A new study suggests that childhood obesity rates could be cut by banning fast-food ads. (Reuters) A year of trouble for Kosher meatpackers in the U.S. has led to a shortage of Kosher meat. (BBC News) - Ian Froeb

  November 20, 2008

• What's Happening (Or Not) at Bistro Toi

  Not a good sign for Bistro Toi, the Asian-fusion joint that opened at 3257 Ivanhoe Avenue only three months ago: The restaurant is dark during tonight's regular operating hours, and the phone rings and rings. Anyone know the story? The spot has already seen one closure this year, the relatively short-lived KoKo, a pan-Latin restaurant. More as I learn it. - Ian Froeb

  November 20, 2008

• FoodWire: Thaxton Speakeasy Now Open

  The Thaxton Speakeasy is now open in the basement of the Thaxton Building (1008 Olive Street) Call 314-241-3279 for opening hours and more info. I had my wedding and reception in this building: It is a supremely cool space. STLog has a slideshow of the grand opening. - Ian Froeb

  November 24, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Tuesday, 12.9

  In today's news: job cuts at Anheuser-Busch, Whole Foods sues and a bird-flu outbreak in Hong Kong.

  December 9, 2008

• FoodWire: Zaytoon Closed

  Zaytoon, a Mediterranean restaurant that opened not quite one year ago at 711 Olive Street, has closed. Its space is currently for lease.- Ian Froeb

  December 9, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Wednesday, 12.10

  In today's news: the dioxin scare in Ireland expands, the economy's effect on organic food and a beer for Sudan.

  December 10, 2008

• FoodWire: Mosaic Expanding

  The St. Louis Business Journal reports that Claus Schmitz's Loft District tapas restaurant Mosaic (1001 Washington Avenue) will expand, nearly doubling its current size.- Ian Froeb

  December 10, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Thursday, 12.11

  In today's news: pork back on the shelf in Ireland, a genetic trait for craving junk food and three girls in a KFC, er, hot tub.

  December 11, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #10: Cheesesteak at 9th Street Deli

  The cheese is a nuclear shade of orange, a hue that sticks a knife in the heart of cheesemongers and Slow Food acolytes, but one that yours truly still finds irresistible. The cheese is not merely melting but a luscious liquid ooze. Glorious Cheese Whiz! Is the rest of the cheesesteak "reasonably" authentic? Yes. The steak is shredded and tender, the roll soft but not dissolving, the onions sliced thin and caramelized perfectly."Cheesesteak Quest" (May 22, 2008)9th Street Deli900 Shenandoah Av

  December 11, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Friday, 12.12

  In today's news: the FDA on the benefits of seafood vs. the risks, eating nuts for heart health and eating camel meat for the environment's health.

  December 12, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #9: Burgers at Newstead Tower Public House and BC's Kitchen

  The countdown of the year's best dishes continues with #9, burgers at BC's Kitchen and Newstead Tower Public House

  December 12, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Monday, 12.15

  In today's news: Smithfield meatpackers unionize, Egyptian food rioters go to jail, and Tom Colicchio is accused of tip no-nos.

  December 15, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #5: Deep-Dish Pizza at Pi

  The deep-dish crust is something else entirely. It's medium-thick and made, in part, with cornmeal, which imbues the texture with a faint granular quality. The exterior is crisp and a lovely, summery golden brown; the interior has a spongy softness that absorbs the flavor of the various toppings while retaining its own individual qualities."Magnum Pi" (May 29, 2008)Pi6144 Delmar Boulevard314-727-6633- Ian Froeb

  December 15, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #4: Duck-Fat Frites at the Shaved Duck

  There is no elegant way to eat these babies. Pluck a single fry from the tangle of very thinly spiral-cut spuds with fork or fingers and you'll end up with a handful. Share an order with someone else and the two of you might re-enact the Lady and the Tramp, munching on opposite ends of the same crisp, golden shoestring until you meet at the center of the table for a Daffy-flavored kiss."Quack Addict" (July 17, 2008)The Shaved Duck2900 Virginia Avenue314-776-1407- Ian Froeb

  December 15, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #2: Pretty Much Everything at the Firefly Grill

  There was so much, all of it so good, that my memory is hazy. I remember luscious foie gras paired, I think, with peaches and the verdant snap of fried green tomatoes. I remember meaty portobello mushrooms stuffed with surprisingly tender escargot, all of it swimming in a garlicky-buttery sauce so outrageously rich that we kept passing the dish around the table taking turns sopping it up with bread. There were lovely little lamb chops dressed with tzatziki sauce and meant to be eaten as lollip

  December 16, 2008

• The Top Ten Dishes of 2008 - #1: The Barbecue at Pappy's Smokehouse

  Mike Emerson does barbecue the proper way: dry. Or, as the takeout menu puts it: "Sauce is on the side 'cause there's nothing to hide." The meats are smoked up to fourteen hours over apple and cherry wood. The pulled pork and the ribs are nothing short of extraordinary. I ordered the pulled pork as a sandwich, and the meat was nearly as soft as the roll on which it was served. The rib meat doesn't fall off the bone. It almost falls off the bone. This is how I like my ribs. The crisp exterior,

  December 16, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Thursday, 12.18

  In today's news: Michael Pollan on Tom Vilsack, the sweetener Truvia and a victim of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

  December 18, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Monday, 12.22

  In today's news: Zimbabwe's strife, trouble for Ruby Tuesday and meat cologne.

  December 22, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Tuesday, 12.23

  In today's news: an unlikely outbreak of food poisoning, tough drunk-driving laws in Brazil and a pricing dilemma for restaurants.

  December 23, 2008

• The Morning Brew: Monday, 12.29

  In today's news: Mexico bans U.S. meat, Diet Coke Plus shouldn't be "Plus," and France isn't happy about its wine.

  December 29, 2008

• FoodWire: New Year's Eve Beer

  Champagne is overrated. Those of you who prefer to toast the New Year with a pint of beer instead will be happy to know that several of St. Louis' best beer bars and restaurants will be hosting New Year's festivities, and -- who else? -- Mike Sweeney has the rundown at STL Hops.- Ian Froeb

  December 30, 2008

• And the Gut Check Thing of the Year Award Goes to...

  ... the Not-So-Mighty DollarA no-brainer, really. What else did we talk about, really? Through most of the year, the cost of food increased. The economy continues its course down the crapper, taking more than a few local restaurants -- that is, livelihoods -- with it. I don't have anything more to say, except that I hope 2009 won't end on such a glum note.Gut Check will be updated sporadically through the rest of this week. Monday, we'll be back at full force, with (I think) a new look for th

  December 30, 2008

• Suicide Food: A Food Blog You Should Read

  As you know, I'm an avowed (though not thoughtless!) carnivore. However, let no one accuse me of not giving the other side a voice. Suicide Food is a blog dedicated to exposing and critiquing food labeling (mostly barbecue logos) in which animals encourage the fact that they are about to be consumed. Funny, thought-provoking, occasionally ridiculous: It's well worth a read. - Ian Froeb

  January 2, 2009

• Because Gut Check is 12 Years Old at Heart, I Give You (Snicker) the Wunder Boner

  Yes, this is real. Via Fail Blog: - Ian Froeb

  January 2, 2009

• The Morning Brew: Monday, 1.5

  In today's news: calls for a "50-year" farm bill, the iconic Rainbow Room is closing and the case of smuggled monkey meat.

  January 5, 2009

• The Morning Brew: Tuesday, 1.6

  In today's news: CEO news from Tyson and Chipotle, AB ditches the free beer, and scientists give cocaine to bees.

  January 6, 2009

• The Morning Brew: Friday, 1.9

  In today's news: climate change, Chicago going vegetarian (?) and a new jet for Starbucks.

  January 9, 2009

• This Week's RFT, March 5-11

  Riverfront Times Volume 33, Issue 10 (a.k.a. this week's paper!) is on news stands today. Below are a few of the highlights you'll find both in print and online.Unreal chews the fat with Tracie Sanderlin, a south county woman who blogs about her amazing 200-pound weight loss. Writer Matt Kasper profiles free-wheeling defense attorney Frank Anzalone. Our film critic digests (barely) the new film Watchmen; Dennis Brown reviews the Orange Girls' production of Eurydice at COCA; and Ian Froeb likes w

  March 5, 2009

• FoodWire: Tower Tacos Returns!

  Ian Froeb Some good news for this Cinco de Mayo: Tower Tacos (3147 Cherokee Street) is back. The Mexican restaurant, which opened only last year, closed earlier this year for undisclosed reasons. When I drove by today, it was open and busy.I stopped inside to pick up a takeout menu (the same as before it closed), and the woman with whom I spoke said it's open for good. Check out my review from September of last year.Also in Cherokee Street news -- and I apologize if this is old news; I hadn't he

  May 5, 2009

• The Best of Gut Check: Ian vs. the Corn Refiners Association

  Wikimedia CommonsWhile Gut Check is on vacation, enjoy highlights from the past two years.Silly me, thinking I could share my desert-island fantasies without any consequences.In last week's review of Taqueria el Jalapeño, I wrote the following:It won't surprise regular readers of this column to learn that if I were stranded on a desert island, I'd want the only restaurant there to be a taqueria. I'd set up shelter within walking distance of both the surf and the food and grow fat and happy on t

  July 9, 2009

• Jim Beam Red Stag in Gut Check's Swag Bag

  When Jim Beam e-mailed Gut Check International Headquarters to ask if I would be interested in trying its new Red Stag black cherry-infused bourbon, I said, "You had us at Jim Beam." Because, frankly, after the week I just had, I'm drinking heavily.To my surprise, what arrived was the box pictured below. I'd guesstimate that it measures 12 inches wide by 16 inches tall by 4 inches deep.Ian FroebWhat would I find inside?

  July 21, 2009

• FoodWire: Schnucks Culinaria Opens Downtown

  Culinaria - A Schnucks Market opened this morning at 315 North 9th Street. The store features a 21,000-square-foot main floor and a 6,000-square-foot mezzanine.Ian FroebCulinaria - A Schnucks Market at Olive and North 9th Street​More, including details on changes at nearby City Grocer, after the jump...

  August 11, 2009

• FoodWire: August Openings and Closings

  Ian FroebTumo's on Hampton Avenue closed last week.​A look back at this month's restaurant openings and closings. If we missed one, let us know in the comments.OpeningsAsian Kitchen (former In Soo)The Levee (former Skybox)Molly's in SoulardTerrace View Cafe12th Street DinerClosings after the jump...

  August 31, 2009

• Five Good Restaurants in Old Fast-Food Buildings

  View Larger MapAs I posted a few days ago, a new Vietnamese restaurant is opening at 3737 South Grand Boulevard, inside a former McDonald's. I'll admit that whenever I see a locally owned business taking over a chain restaurant's location, I smile. After the jump, in no particular order, five of my favorite examples of this phenomenon.

  September 18, 2009

• FoodWire: Ferguson Maid-Rite For Sale

  Ian Froeb​At Off the Menu, Joe Bonwich reports that the only St. Louis Maid-Rite (250 South Florissant Road) is for sale and possibly closed. Read Bonwich's story for more.I visited this Maid-Rite late last year. The photo at left is of the chain's famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) loose-meat sandwich.

  October 13, 2009

• Drink of the Week: 2007 Farnese Trebbiano, The Terrace View

  Ian FroebThe Terrace View in CityGarden​The cloud of existential funk that hangs over the jury-duty holding pen on a Monday morning is like a thick, black fog. Not one person wants to be in that room, least of all the people who work there. The sighing. The grumbling. The bitter, blank staring. The announcements over the p.a. followed by a slow, morose death march to the door by those who have the chosen numbers. At noon a stern voice announces, "You are now released for lunch -- you must be

  October 21, 2009

• FoodWire: October Openings and Closings

  October has ended its wet, wet reign, so we look back on the soggy month's restaurant openings and closings. As always, if I missed one, please let me know in the comments. Gracias in advance.Ian FroebBeechwood Bistro by Sage fell victim to the Union Station curse.​OpeningsThe Wedge (under new management)Sevens (Casino Queen)Las Palmas (Maplewood location)Pi (Kirkwood location)FoamClosings after the jump...

  November 2, 2009