2009 in Review: October

[image-2] October saw the return of Drink of the Week, the column founded by Randall Roberts and continued by Kristie McClanahan that muses on life and libations. Alicia Lohmar is the new author, and we're thrilled to have her as part of the Gut Check family. The rest of the month after the jump.

News

Gourmet magazine ceases publication....Ozzie's Restaurant & Sports Bar closes....Straub's announces it will close its sleek new store in Ellisville....Former Balaban's owner Steve McIntyre plans to open Balaban's Wine Cellar & Tapas Bar in Chesterfield....Las Palmas opens in the old El Scorcho location....Kaldi's is one of the best coffeeshops in the country, says GQ....Pi opens its second location in Kirkwood....Crepes in the City closes....The founder of Missouri-made Spudmaster chips is busted for pot -- lots of pot....Union Station claims another one as Beechwood Bistro closes.

WTF?

Photos from the 2009 edition of Taste of St. Louis....The first deleted scene from a review, involving a port-addled customer and an Edie Falco lookalike....Ten ridiculous ballplayer-branded foods....Easy, cheap food-related Halloween costume ideas.

Columns

The Beertender pays tribuite to St. Louis beer historian Henry Herbst....Chef's Choice profiles Josh Galliano of Monarch....The Noble Writ on how to buy wine sold out-of-state....The Dive Bomber learns what drives teachers to drink....The Sweet Scout and that St. Louis specialty, gooey butter cake....Stuck to My Ribs enjoys a big meal at Murdoch Perk....Throwback of the House and her daughter make poke cake together....The Novice Foodie makes her own candy corn....The Sneak of the Living Dead!...Farmers' Market Share cooks some strange-lookin' cauliflower....Java Enabled gets ready for the Midwest Regional Barista Competition....A Table for How Many? has home cookin' at Yummies.

Reviews

Fond
Taste by Niche
Taqueria la Monarca, Amigo Joe's and Latitude 26
Mayuri