The Block Restaurant, Butcher and Bar Open

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Ian Froeb

The Block, a restaurant, butcher shop and bar from Marc del Pietro of the well-known local restaurant family -- and, in his case specifically, from Luciano's Trattoria (172 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton; 314-863-9969) -- is now open at 146 West Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves.

"The concept is farm-to-table," bar manager Andy Printy tells Gut Check. "The whole animals are delivered here," where they are then butchered and, in some cases, cured.

The Block endeavors to source most of its produce, meat and other fare from local vendors. The debut menu includes contemporary American bistro fare: mussels, pork confit ("Potted Pig"), a pork chop, a grassfed Missouri steak, braised pork steak and Missouri trout.

For now, the restaurant is open only for dinner, beginning at 5 p.m., though lunch hours will begin soon.

The Block's retail butcher component is also underway, if still in the beginning stages: "We've got some steaks out right now," Printy says.

For reservations or more information, you can reach The Block at 314-918-7900.