There are a couple of things you should know before you visit Mauhaus (3101 Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood; 314-384-2287), the new cat cafe and lounge that opened earlier this month.
One, you need to really love cats to think about eating here. The space has been designed for kitty satisfaction, with high shelves for climbing and plenty of spots for napping. Someone who fails to appreciate the majesty of these lovelies — and the ability to interact with them — may not appreciate Mauhaus.
And two, there is clearly no shortage of people in St. Louis who do appreciate cats. Mauhaus has been absolutely packed.Co-owner Dana Huth, who opened the business with Ben Triola, says she's been shocked by the level of interest.
"We are about twice as busy as we expected," she says. "It has been so crazy, but people have been incredibly patient and understanding as we work to get everything running smoothly." Typically, walk-in wait times are averaging an hour, she says.
Now, that's not your only option if you're dying to get your feline fix. Guests are encouraged to reserve a space in advance; you book a one-hour window and are asked to put down $10. The money can be applied to your food and beverages, but anything left over will not be refunded.
As for food and beverage offerings, Mauhaus offers a small menu of internationally inspired snacks and baked goods, with Alyssa Bennett of Pie Craft serving as kitchen manager. There are also coffee drinks courtesy of Caleb Sawyer.
"Our kitchen is pretty small so we are still working through how to get out all the food we want in the time we have," Huth says. Savory highlights include samosas, cicchetti and a curried squash hummus ("literally the best hummus I've ever had," Huth notes). Baked goods are also popular, with kitty cakes (also known as mini cupcakes), scones and a vegan babka that's been selling out every day. They're looking to add a few items as they get used to the cat-inspired frenzy.
The cafe opened November 12, and already, prime slots are booked weeks in advance. For now, Mauhaus is open Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. See below for more photos of all the furry fun.
Turn the page for more photos of Mauhaus.
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