No doubt inspired in part by the wildfire expansion and sizzling stock price of Krispy Kreme, LaMar's Donuts, originally from Kansas City, is opening a St. Louis outpost at 9614 Olive Blvd. in Olivette Plaza. That's the same strip center that houses the Olivette Diner, whose 15 minutes of fame owes to the fact that it graced an album cover for St. Louis favorites Head East.
And Ann Bognar, one of the nicest folks in St. Louis restaurantland and proud co-founder of Manee Thai and Sukho Thai, has opened up a new culinary horizon with Nippon Tei, which offers a "Japanese fusion" menu, as well as a sushi bar. Bognar's newest restaurant is now open daily for lunch and dinner in the strip mall at Weidman and Manchester roads in West County.
Speaking of really nice people, KSDK-TV's Jennifer Blome -- who is on my A-list because she shares my affection for Irish wolfhounds, among other reasons -- is honorary co-host with her Channel 5 colleague Art Holliday of "A Tasteful Affair 2001," a benefit for Food Outreach, which provides healthy meals to St. Louisans living with HIV/AIDS. This graze through the hors d'oeuvres and desserts of leading St. Louis chefs takes place from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in the Khorassan Ballroom of the Chase Park Plaza, with tickets $45 in advance (314-652-3663) and $50 at the door.
