Chances are, you probably haven't experienced true "farm-to-fork" dining unless you've eaten at a place like Stone Soup Cottage (5525 Oak Street, Cottleville; 636-244-2233) that gets its produce from a farm that's less than a minute away. In September the Cottleville dinner destination with a small dining room but big personality (not to mention a months-long wait list) will prepare to make a move. It will operate from a 6.5-acre farm property purchased from the Wiese family, the very same farmers who provide chef Carl McConnell with fresh vegetables and fruits to cook up in his tasting menus.
See also: - The Veggielante Visits Stone Soup Cottage
"Being right on the farm where we source has always been a goal of ours -- getting up at dawn and walking the fields seeing what is coming in fresh and truly getting inspired," says co-owner Nancy McConnell. "We are not expanding in a way that many restaurants do. We are just changing our canvas. The painting will be the same, well, even better!"
McConnell says that with the new digs, she and her husband fully intend to offer the same small, hands-on approach to dining, which means that when guests book a table, it's literally theirs for the entirety of the evening. They can also rest easy knowing that chef Carl McConnell personally prepares each plate himself. An added luxury of the expansion includes the ability to host more frequent private events, thanks to the new space's patio overlooking a scenic expanse of fields.
For one last chance to enjoy an intimate meal at the cozy and quaint Oak Street location, call now and reserve a seat to enjoy an exclusive tasting menu from Monday, August 26, to Friday, August 30, with seating available at 6:30 p.m. Chef McConnell will prepare the menu that debuted at the cottage during its opening in June 2009, with accompanying wine pairings.
Check out the menu on the next page.
