Gut Check honors the people, places and things that obsessed us in 2008. The winner will be named on Tuesday, December 30.
The Grim Reaper
Pros: He stalked the St. Louis restaurant scene with particular intensity this year, claiming as his victims institutions (Balaban's, Busch's Grove), foodie favorites (the Pitted Olive) and restaurants we didn't know were open until news of their passing reached us. Is it macabre to dwell on his work? Yes, but we can't ignore what a harrowing (literally) year it has been for St. Louis restaurants.
Cons: We don't have any statistical evidence to support our belief that this was a brutal year for restaurants in St. Louis. It's just a gut feeling. Besides, the dude stalks every one of us every day of our lives. Do we really need to give him more publicity?
- Ian Froeb
Image: commons.wikimedia.org
