Kristen Klempert

The Nine Best Tapas/Small Plates 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 >>

Happy Hour at Three Kings Public House, Making Everyone Royalty

Kristen KlempertThree Kings Public House​Three Kings Public House 6307 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-721-3355 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-7 p.m. The Deal: $1 off drafts. $1 off wines, $4 wells

Happy Hour at HandleBar: Steering in the Right Direction?

Kristen KlempertHandlebar​HandleBar 4127 Manchester Avenue; 314-652-2212 The Hours: Tues.-Sat., 4-8 p.m. The Deal: $1 off draft beer and $2 bartender's choice bottled beer

Happy Hour on the Patio at Molly's in Soulard

Kristen KlempertPatio at Molly's in Soulard ​ Molly's in Soulard 816 Geyer Avenue, Soulard; 314-241-6200 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-7pm The Deal: $15 six-bottle buckets, $2.50 domestic bottles, $3 well drinks, $1 off all drinks

Appetizer and Wine Pairings at Copia Urban Winery's Happy Hour

Kristen KlempertCopia Urban Winery ​ Copia Urban Winery 1122 Washington Avenue; 314-241-9463 The Hours: Mon., Thurs. and Fri 4-7 p.m., Tues. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Wed. 5-7 p.m. The Deal: Varying daily appetizer and drink specials

Triumph Grill, a Victorious Happy Hour?

Kristen KlempertTriumph Grill​ Triumph Grill 3419 Olive Street, Midtown; 446-1801 The Hours: 2-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 5-10 p.m. Sun. The Deal: $10 Schlafly pitchers, $7 PBR and Bud Select pitchers, $5.25 house red or white wine, $3.25 wells, $2.25 domestic bottles, $3 off appetizers

Sanctuaria: Haven to the World's Best Cocktails?

Kristen Klempert​The gothic-themed Sanctuaria (4198 Manchester Avenue; 314-535-9700) has an eerie façade that looks like it could be hiding countless secrets. One of the tapas bar's best secrets, its "Cocktail Club" menu, which features 150 mixed masterpieces, is being recognized on the globa ... More >>

Thurman Grill & Provisions' Neighborly Happy Hour

Kristen KlempertThurman Grill & Provisions​ The Joint: Thurman Grill & Provisions 4069 Shenandoah Avenue; 772-8484 The Hours: Tues.-Fri. 4-7 p.m., Sat. Noon-7 p.m. The Deal: $4 Jagers, $.50 off drafts, $3.50 rails, ½ off second glass or bottle of wine The Scene: Hidden in the tree-lined n ... More >>

Field Trip to Canyon Café: Faux Southwestern Ain't All Bad!

Kristen Klempert​Canyon Café 1707 South Lindbergh Boulevard (in Plaza Frontenac), Frontenac; 314-872-3443 The Hours: 4-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri. The Deal: $3 house margaritas, $3 house wine, $2 draft beer, $2 wells, selected menu for $2.95-$4.95 What's with all the adobe and earth tones, Dorothy? W ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Falafel and Win a Gift Certificate to Five Guys Burgers and Fries!

Kristen Klempert​ You can win a gift certificate redeemable for a burger, fries and soda at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and all you have to do is guess where we're eating. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. E ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 7

Kristen Klempert​No disrespect to falafel, but we were more than excited when we woke up this morning and realized today was the last day of our chick pea diet. We whipped up a quick breakfast scramble of peppers, onions, falafel, and tons of cheddar cheese, substituing Greek yogurt for milk t ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 6

Kristen Klempert​This morning we woke up with an insane carb craving, which of course posed a slight problem in regards to our falafel mission. Falafel pancakes? Falafel breakfast sandwich? Peanut butter toast with falafel? We're not going to lie, none of that sounded appealing. But for some r ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 5

Kristen Klempert​Since the falafel melded so well into one traditional American dish, this morning we got adventurous and added it to a tried-and-true breakfast classic: oatmeal. Just about anything can complement the beautiful, blank canvas that is plain oatmeal, and call us crazy, but we we ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 4

Kristen Klempert​Here at Gut Check, we are firm believers in a good Saturday morning sleep-in. There's nothing better than lounging about in bed, doing absolutely nothing productive until the tummy starts a-rumbling. Then, it's brunch time. This lazy mid-morning we made a frittata, first pan ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 3

Kristen Klempert​Honestly, this morning we woke up and thought, "Damn, falafel again?" Feeling slightly uninspired, breakfast was a repeat of Greek yogurt, fruit, nuts, and falafel, but this time around the taste and texture of the yogurt was almost welcoming and really hit the spot.

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 2

Kristen KlempertBreakfast: Greek yogurt, grapes, dried figs, walnuts and falafel.​On day two of falafel-polooza, we tried for more authenticity, incorporating some more traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ingredients. Breakfast was Greek yogurt mixed with grapes, dried figs, walnuts ... More >>

A Whole Lotta Falafel: Day 1

Kristen Klempert​Recently an e-mail popped up in the Gut Check inbox extolling the benefits of including falafel in your daily diet. Falafel, a ball or patty made from ground chick peas (or sometimes, fava beans) is often served on pita bread as a sandwich but can be used to add protein, flavo ... More >>

Old-School Urban Renaissance: SqWires

SqWires 1415 South 18th Street; 314-865-3522 Kristen KlempertSqWires was urban chic before urban was chic.​The Hours: 4-7 p.m. Tue.-Fri. The Deal: $2 domestic bottles, $3 drafts, $4 select wines, $3 house mixed drinks; discounts on select appetizers and pizzas. It can be cool to be the old ... More >>

The Lou's Best and Booziest Compete for a Spot in the Manhattan Cocktail Classic

Kristen KlempertChad George of Demun Broadway Oyster bar gives his drinks a good shake during the signature ingredient round. ​Sunday April 17, St. Louis' best bartenders competed at Taste's new home in the Central West End in the St. Louis' Top Mixology Competition sponsored by DonQ Rum. Mixo ... More >>

Happy Hour at Mazara Has Its Ups and Downs

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Mazara 7923 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-725-3434 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5-7 p.m. The Deal: $5 Pineapple martinis, $4 well cocktails, $3 draft beers, $2 domestic bottles, discounts on select pizzas and appetizers. What's a pineapple martini?

Sage: A Wise Happy Hour Choice?

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Sage Urban American Grill 1031 Lynch Street; 314-256-1203 The Hours: 4-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. The Deal: $2 domestic longnecks, $11 domestic buckets, $4 house wines, $4 wells, half off select appetizers. If you call yourself Sage, you'd better back it up with a smartly ... More >>

Bleeding Deacon in Stable Condition

Kristen KlempertThis bar doesn't actually require a happy hour in order to make you happy. But it'll give you one anyway.​The Joint: The Bleeding Deacon 4123 Chippewa Street; 314-772-1813 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-7 p.m. The Deal: $3 wells, $3 local drafts (and we're not just talking A-B produc ... More >>

You Want Ice Cream with That? Boozing It Up at Fountain on Locust

Kristen KlempertHome of the ice cream martini? Gut Check'll try anything once!​The Joint: The Fountain on Locust 3037 Locust Street; 314-535-7800 The Hours: Tue.-Sun. 4-6 p.m. The Deal: $2 domestic bottles, $6 ice cream martinis Drinking your dessert? Gut Check has a word for that. We call ... More >>

Who Put the Bar in BARcelona Tapas Restaurant?

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: BARcelona Tapas Restaurant 34 North Central Avenue, Clayton; 314-863- 9909 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-7 p.m. The Deal: $2 domestic bottles, $2 well cocktails, half-off pitchers of sangria; $2 calamari and sliders. Sliders?! At a tapas bar?! O M Freakin' G!

Roxane's Is as Happy as a Clayton Happy Hour Can Get

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Roxane 12 North Meramec Avenue, Clayton; 314-721-7700 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. The Deal: $2 domestic bottles, $3 premium bottles, $3.50 well drinks, $5 wines by the glass, half off select appetizers. Cheap beer, wine and apps -- what more do you want?

Kota Wood Fire Grill Will Stoke Your Night

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Kota Wood Fire Grill 522 North Grand Boulevard; 314-535-5577 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 2-6 p.m. when there's a show at the Fox, 2-7 p.m. on non-show nights, Sun. 4 p.m.-close (no happy hour Sat.) The Deal: $2 domestics, $3 well cocktails, $5 wines by the glass, half of ... More >>

At the Scottish Arms They'll Kilt You With Kindness

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: The Scottish Arms 6-8 South Sarah Street; 314-535-0551 The Hours: 3-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Late-night happy hour 10 p.m.-close The Deal: $3 rails, $2 off draft beers, $1 off wine by the glass, $2 baskets of crisps. Late-night happy hour: Specials including $4 wee bombs ... More >>

Cyrano's Has a Happy Hour -- Now That's What We Call Sweet!

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Cyrano's 603 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-963-3232 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-7 p.m. The Deal: $5 martinis, half-off beer and by-the-glass wine. Those discounts are dandy! But mind your manners -- this is a high-class joint...

If You Call Yourself The Drunken Fish, One Happy Hour Ain't Enough!

Kristen KlempertSushi sake -- say that five times fast!​The Joint: The Drunken Fish 1 Maryland Plaza; 314-367-4222 The Hours: Nightly 5-7 p.m.; late-night happy hour 10:30 p.m.-midnight. The Deal: $3 domestic aluminum bottles, $4 select martinis, $5 hot sake carafes, $3-6 select sushi rolls. ... More >>

Happy Hour at Sub Zero Vodka Bar -- Think of It As an Infusement Park!

Kristen KlempertVodka makes us happy. Does vodka make you happy?​The Joint: Sub Zero Vodka Bar 306 North Euclid Avenue; 314-367-1200 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-6 p.m. The Deal: $4 vodka infusions, half off Anheuser-Busch bottled beers, half off select appetizers. To hell with the beers, bring o ... More >>

Readers argue about dogs, hair of the dog and shocking the junkie

iTap Does One Thing and Does It Well: BEER

Kristen KlempertInternational Tap House: Nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall...oh, never mind.​The Joint: International Tap House-Soulard 1711 South Ninth Street; 314-621-4333 International Tap House-Chesterfield 161 Long Road, Chesterfield; 636-537-8787 T ... More >>

Square One Brewery's Clock Always Says Beer-Thirty

Kristen KlempertSquare One Brewery & Distillery, Lafayette Square​The Joint: Square One Brewery & Distillery 1727 Park Avenue; 314-231-2537 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-6 p.m. The Deal: $1 off all house drafts and house spirits; discounts on select appetizers. Make ours a beer...

Mike Duffy's Pub & Grill Is for the Chillaxin' Crowd

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Mike Duffy's Pub & Grill - Richmond Heights 6662 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights; 314-644-3700 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. The Deal: $10 domestic bottle buckets, $3 wells and other nightly specials. $5 assorted appetizers and twelve-inch pizzas. Today's etymolog ... More >>

Tortillaria: For All Your Margarita and Fish Taco Needs

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Tortillaria 8-1/2 South Euclid Avenue; 314-361-4443 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 3-5 p.m. The Deal: $3 house margaritas, $15 pitchers, $2 domestic bottles, $3 imported, half-off chips and guacamole or queso blanco, select tacos $2-3. Note the taco men ... More >>

Mango Peruvian Cuisine: Good as (Incan) Gold

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Mango Peruvian Cuisine 1101 Lucas Avenue 314-621-9993 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m. (Late-night Mon.-Thu. 9-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 p.m.-1 a.m. The Deal: $5 martinis, margaritas, select wines; $3 draft beer; $2 bottled beer; $16 pitchers of sangría. Select appetize ... More >>

Primatey Colors: Three Monkeys

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Three Monkeys 3153 Morganford Road; 314-772-9800 The Hours: Monday-Friday 4-7p.m. Graveyard Shift happy hour Saturday 7-9 a.m. The Deal: $1.95 Domestic Bottles, $2 wells, $3 wines and $1off all drafts. Half off most appetizers. Graveyard Shift happy hour includes ... More >>

Nadine's Is a Bar Lover's Bar

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Nadine's Gin Joint 1931 South 12th Street 314-436-3045 The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-7 pm The Deal: $2.50 wells, $2.25 domestic bottles or $12 buckets, menu of select appetizers for $3 and under. And you thought "gin joint happy hour" was an oxymoron!

Eleven Eleven Mississippi Has Your Number

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Eleven Eleven Mississippi 1111 Mississippi Avenue; 314-241-9999 The Hours: Mon.-Thu. 4-6 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. The Deal: Monday: $5 specialty cocktails. Tuesday: $2 local bottled beers. Wednesday: half-off bottles of wine. Thursday: $5 wine by the glass. Half-off piz ... More >>

Is Modesto Your Happy Place?

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Modesto 5257 Shaw Avenue 314-772-8272 www.modestotapas.com The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5-7 p.m., and all day on Tuesday The Deal: $2.50-$3 for a (small) selection of bottled and draft beers, $5 daily cocktail special, $6 sangría del día and $16 pitcher of sangría roj ... More >>

Bar Louie, Central West End: A Chain, But So What?

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Bar Louie 14 Maryland Plaza; 314-678-3385 www.barlouieamerica.com The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4-7pm The Deal: $5 signature martinis, $4 house wine, $3 all drafts -- includes twenty choices from various macro-breweries. Half off select appetizers. "But," you protest, "it ... More >>

Brandt's, the Upwardly Mobile Happy Hour

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Brandt's Cafe 6525 Delmar Boulevard 314-727-3663 http://www.brandtscafe.com The Hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday The Deal: $2 domestic bottles (includes the usual suspects: Anheuser-Busch products, PBR, Miller Lite, etc.), $3 well drinks, $2 to $3 off select ... More >>

Getting Happy in Clayton: John P. Field's

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: John P. Field's 26 North Central Avenue, Clayton 314-862-1886 The (Happy) Hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Deal: $2 domestic Anheuser-Busch bottles. There must be more to happy hour than two-buck Bud, right? Right?

Want Empanadas with That? Sanctuaria's Happy Hour Entices

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Sanctuaria 4198 Manchester Avenue 314-535-9700 The Hours: 4-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Late-night happy hour 10 p.m.-close. The Deal: $5-8 specialty cocktails; beers ranging from Bud bottles for $2.50 to Left Hand Sawtooth for $5.50. Tapas about $4 per order. ... More >>

Nothin' Fancy -- Just the Way We Like It: Tom's Bar & Grill

Kristen Klempert​The Joint: Tom's Bar & Grill 20 South Euclid Avenue 314-367-4900 The Hours: 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday The Deal: $2 domestic drafts and bottles, $3 premiums (e.g., Blue Moon, Bass, Guinness), $10 five-bottle buckets and $3 well drinks. All appetizers half off. The Scene ... More >>

Counter Intelligence: RFT stages an around-the-clock diner-thon