Vicia (4260 Forest Park Avenue), which opens today in the city's Cortex district, is that rare St. Louis restaurant capable of drawing national attention before it's served a single dish. Co-owners Michael and Tara Gallina are both alumni of the Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and their decision to leave New York for Michael's native St. Louis drew headlines even before they honed their concept.
After a successful run of pop-ups, that concept, Vicia, opens with lunch service today — a casual beginning to what's certain to become one of the city's most coveted reservations. The Gallinas plan to offer quick counter service at lunch with a frequently changing menu at dinner, "driven by the best of what's available at the moment." Dinner service begins next Tuesday, March 28.
As their press kit notes, "By presenting an experience reflective of the season, based on best practices from the land to the kitchen, the Gallinas look to create an element of surprise, and a restaurant experience that constantly feels fresh and innovative."The space certainly lives up to the hype. Designed by Sasha Malinich of R/5 and Casco Architects, it's a 2,500-square-foot glass-enclosed space with a cool Nordic look. It will seat 54 inside, with room for another 34 outside in view of the restaurant's wood-fired grill.
Vicia will serve lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dinner will be served Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged for dinner, but not for lunch.
See more photos of Vicia below, all courtesy of the restaurant.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story included incorrect hours for lunch. It begins at 11 a.m., not 11:30. We regret the error.
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