Readers' Choice 2012

saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 1Readers’ Choice 2012 SAUCEMAGAZINE.COM FREE, rEAdErS’ ChOICE 2012

Featuring favorite new restaurant Cleveland-heath and 67 other winners

S t. lO U IS’ I N d E pE N d E N t CU l I N A ry AU t h O r I t y

2 I SAUCE MAGAZINE I saucemagazine.com Readers’ Choice 2012

saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 3Readers’ Choice 2012


REAd ERS’ Ch o I CE 2012

Sauce Magazine1820 chouteau ave.St. LouiS, MiSSouri 63103ph: 314.772.8004fax: 314.241.8004SauceMagazine.coM

contact uS

puBLiSherManaging eDitor

art DirectorSenior Staff Writer

contriButing eDitorSpeciaL SectionS eDitor

fact checkerSproofreaDer

proDuction DeSigner contriButing photographerS

contriButing iLLuStratorcontriButing WriterS

reLationS Directoroffice Manager

aDvertiSing SaLeS ManagerSenior aDvertiSing executive

aDvertiSing executiveS

account Manager

allyson MaceStacy SchultzMeera nagarajan Ligaya figuerasJulie cohenStacy Schultzrobert Severson, Lindsay toler emily Loweryrebekah WesselsJonathan gayman, ashley gieseking, David kovaluk, Laura Miller, greg rannells, amrita rawat, kristi Schiffman carmen troesser vidhya nagarajanJulie cohen, Ligaya figueras, Stacy Schultzerin keplingerSharon arnoterin keplingerangie rosenbergerin anderson, erin keplinger, allyson Mace, angie rosenbergJill george


contentsreaDerS’ choice

20

8

1510

Photo by Carmen TroesserJenny cleveland and eric heath at their

edwardsville restaurant cleveland-heath, this year’s readers’ choice for favorite new restaurant. p. 10

cover details

dINE 7 This is the most underrated restaurant in town

8 Favorite cheap eats

8 No one rolls their eyes at my dietary needs here

9 The service here makes everyone feel like a VIP

10 My pup begs to come here

12 Winners by cuisine

More dine winners

drINk15 I practically set up camp on this patio when the weather’s warm

16 I drink here way too often

16 Here’s where the glitterati gathers

17 Bartender of the Year

More drink winners

ShOp19 Favorite coffee roaster

20 Favorite doughnut shop

21 Favorite specialty food shop

22 Favorite liquor store

More shop winners



Dine

This is the most underrated restaurant in town (tie)thE GrOvE dElI

8144 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.962.9078, thegrovedeli.comand thE ShAvEd dUCk

2900 Virginia Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1407, theshavedduck.com2nd: Anthonino’s Taverna on The hill

3rd: Stellina honorable mention: Riverbend Restaurant & Bar

PHo

To B

Y kr

IsTI

sC

HIF

FMa

N

the Grove Club at most underrated restaurant the Grove deli


FasT

ed

dIe

’s P

Ho

To B

Y d

aV

Id k

oVa

luk;

lo

Ca

l H

arV

esT

PHo

To B

Y jo

Na

THa

N g

aYM

aN

My hands-down favorite restaurantSIdNEy StrEEt CAFE2000 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.771.5777, sidneystreetcafe.com2nd: Niche3rd: Farmhaushonorable mention: Eleven Eleven Mississippi

this restaurant has been around forever and I still can’t get enoughSIdNEy StrEEt CAFE2000 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.771.5777, sidneystreetcafe.com2nd: Blueberry hill3rd: harvest honorable mention: Annie Gunn’s

Chef of the yearGErArd CrAFt, NIChE FAMIly OF rEStAUrANtS2nd: Eric heath, Cleveland-heath3rd: Kevin Nashan, Sidney Street Cafe honorable mention: Kevin Willmann, Farmhaus

I wish my house looked as good as this restaurantArAkA131 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, 314.725.6777, araka.com2nd: Salt 3rd: Josephine’s Tea Rooms and Gift Shopshonorable mention: Cielo

dINEmore dine winners

Eating out can prove downright frustrating when you can’t have gluten, or the slightest hint of peanuts makes you swell up like Will Smith in that one rom com. But at Local harvest Cafe, dining with dietary restrictions isn’t only tolerated, it’s welcomed. That doesn’t mean making meatballs vegan is a walk in the park, however. So, how does executive chef Clara Moore work her culinary magic while keeping customers safe and satisfied? By tricking their taste buds, balancing flavors and avoiding any and all meat substitutes: “I would rather try and figure out how to make food taste great without needing any substitutes.” And she does just that.

— Julie Cohen

Strangest allergy you’ve ever encountered: “Black pepper. It’s in more than you think.”

Most popular vegan dish: “Chili; meat-eaters love it too.”

your favorite gluten-free dish: “Pork chops and potatoes.”

dish you’re most proud of: “Vegan street tacos. They are corn tortillas with salsa, cilantro, onions and hearts of palm cooked in lots of spices. They’re so good, but we only offer them as a special.”

Most challenging part of cooking vegan: “Achieving richness. Without cream and butter, it’s hard to create that rich, layered flavor

– the flavor that leaves you satisfied.”

the trick to richness: “Coconut milk. But you have to mask it, or else everything will taste like coconuts.”

On meat substitutes: “I hate them. And I hate them all. I hate how they’re trying to mimic meat with a thousand different ingredients.”

No one rolls their eyes at my dietary needs herelOCAl hArvESt CAFE3137 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.772.8815, localharvestcafe.com2nd: Vegadeli3rd: home Wine Kitchenhonorable mention: de.lish Cheesecake Bakery and Café

no one rolls their eyes at my dietary needs here: LocaL harveSt cafe

Still playin’ The Bodyguard soundtrack on repeat? Rockin’ flannel? Tryin’ to bring back “Boo Ya”? Then Fast Eddie’s menu has your name on it. Since food was added to the legendary biker bar 19 years ago, prices haven’t changed! We’re talking 1993 forever here. And you know what that means? For a measly 10-spot, you can get …

— Julie Cohen

favorite cheap eats: faSt eDDie’S Bon air

ToTal: $9.13 + Tax = $9.93

11 peel ‘n’ eat shrimp $3.19

2 ½-lb. Fat Eddie burgers $1.98

2 house-made bratwursts $1.98

2 baskets of french fries $1.98

Favorite cheap eatsFASt EddIE’S BON AIr1530 E. Fourth St., Alton, Ill., 618.462.5532, fasteddiesbonair.com2nd: (tie) Carl’s drive In, hodak’s and La Vallesana 3rd: Pho Grandhonorable mention: Nora’s


Illu

sTra

TIo

N B

Y V

IdH

Ya N

ag

ara

jaN

When it comes to bending over backwards for guests, no staff is more professional than tony’s. “it’s a very serious restaurant,” reminded dining room director Bruce cover. But even the pros turn red-faced during uncomfortable situations. What really goes on behind the doors of the city’s most venerable restaurant? four longtime staff members revealed memorable moments of (in)discretion from their combined 103 years of service.

— Interviews by ligaya Figueras

more dine winners

this brunch gives me a reason to roll out of bedhAlF & hAlF8135 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.725.0719, halfandhalfstl.com2nd: (tie) Brasserie by Niche and Rooster 3rd: Three Monkeyshonorable mention: Vin de Set

If I won the lottery, I’d eat here once a weekNIChE1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.773.7755, nichestlouis.com2nd: Tony’s3rd: Sidney Street Cafe honorable mention: Ruth’s Chris Steak house

Favorite restaurant to wow out-of-towners (tie)BlUEBErry hIll6504 delmar Blvd., University City, 314.727.4444, blueberryhill.comand NIChE 1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.773.7755, nichestlouis.com2nd: Sidney Street Cafe3rd: Pappy’s Smokehousehonorable mention: herbie’s Vintage 72

I could hang out in this coffee shop all daykAldI’S COFFEEVarious locations, kaldiscoffee.com2nd: The Mud house3rd: (tie) Café Ventana and Sacred Grounds Cafe honorable mention: Park Avenue Coffee

“[i wasn’t here one night], but i think they actually asked somebody to leave because they were really getting frisky at the table. they had their legs up on the table and things like that.”

— Ken Bollwerk, manager, 37 years at Tony’s

“a couple of months ago, there was a man that came in and was celebrating his anniversary. When the anniversary [party] came out, he broke out into opera. Well, he just kept going on and on and on. i mean, this is a full chorus here that he is going to sing. these ladies over in the corner of the dining room called me over and said, ‘can you do something about that man and shut him up?’ and i said, ‘no, i can’t. i can’t go up here and tell him he has to be quiet.’ that was the only time i’ve ever told a guest i cannot do what you’ve asked. everybody applauded him when he was done, but he did sing for a full

five minutes. he stood up and did the whole ‘i love you, darling, from the bottom of my heart, darling’ thing.”

— Bruce Cover, dining room director, 22 years at Tony’s

“one time a lady asked me for a cocktail. i thought she said club soda, so i brought her back a club soda and a lime. She said, ‘Wow, this drink is great! What kind of vodka did you use?’ She thought it was the smoothest vodka she’d ever had.”— Donnie Bonds, bartender and

private party director, 32 years at Tony’s

“Denzel Washington walked in. he had a baseball cap on. i didn’t recognize him at all. he told me, ‘can me and my family have dinner? We are not dressed properly.’ [he was wearing a] sweatsuit. i said, ‘can i have your name?’ he said, ‘Denzel

Washington.’ i said, ‘Sure, Mr. Washington. We’ll accommodate you.’ his son was trying out for the rams football team. they had just finished practicing over there, and they were going out for a late dinner. he put a jacket on. everyone wears jackets. he didn’t mind.”—Donnie Bonds, bartender and private party director, 32 years

at Tony’s

“When a couple was breaking up one night they started at the bar, went to the dining room, but they kept coming to the bar, back and forth, one at a time. She was telling me her side. he was telling me his side. i had no side.”— Donnie Bonds, bartender and

private party director, 32 years at Tony’s

“about five, six years ago, there was a family out. the family was getting ready to leave and

they had already cut off Mom or grandma or whoever it had been. everybody was kind of leading toward the front door. grandma or Mom walks over to another table and says, ‘that’s a nice wine you’re drinking. … You mind if i have some?’ She picked the wine off the table and drank it straight out of the bottle. the family just pretty much swooped in. everybody in the wait staff was pretty much in awe of that one.”

— aaron Jedda, dining room director, 15 years at Tony’s

the service here makes everyone feel like a vip: tonY’S

The service here makes everyone feel like a VIPtONy’S410 Market St., St. Louis, 314.231.7007, saucecafe.com/tonys2nd: Eleven Eleven Mississippi3rd: (tie) Niche and Sidney Street Cafe honorable mention: Charlie Gitto’s on The hill


dINE

FrIe

s PH

oTo

BY

joN

aTH

aN

ga

YMa

N; d

og

PH

oTo

s BY

krI

sTI s

CH

IFFM

aN

more dine winners

this place is farm-to-fork at its bestFArMhAUS3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St. Louis, 314.647.3800, farmhausrestaurant.com2nd: Local harvest Cafe3rd: Five Bistrohonorable mention: Annie Gunn’s

I’ll follow this food truck all over townpI ON thE SpOtTwitter: @PiTruckSTL2nd: Guerrilla Streetfood3rd: Seoul Tacohonorable mention: Cha Cha Chow

the best flippin’ burger in townO’CONNEll’S pUB4652 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.6600, saucemagazine.com/oconnells2nd: Blueberry hill3rd: Five Guys Burgers and Frieshonorable mention: (tie) Seamus Mcdaniel’s and Carl’s drive In

Favorite new restaurantClEvElANd-hEAth106 N. Main St., Edwardsville, Ill., 618.307.4830, clevelandheath.com2nd: Baileys’ Range3rd: (tie) Nico and home Wine Kitchen honorable mention: EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery

few people can resist french fries. But smother ‘em in a sauce of tender, pulled rib meat and creamy cheese, and you’ll understand why no one – and we mean no one – can say no to the SMothereD frieS at the ShaveD Duck. hand-sliced thin, fried crisp and dusted with fresh scallions, these are the kind of fries you can’t help but finish – and then lick your plate.

this is the most underrated restaurant in town: (tie) the grove DeLi and the ShaveD Duck

My pup begs to come here:BoathouSe foreSt park

This is the most underrated restaurant in town (tie)thE GrOvE dElI8144 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.962.9078, thegrovedeli.comand thE ShAvEd dUCk 2900 Virginia Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1407, theshavedduck.com2nd: Anthonino’s Taverna on The hill3rd: Stellina honorable mention: Riverbend Restaurant & Bar

My pup begs to come hereBOAthOUSE FOrESt pArk6101 Government drive, St. Louis, 314.367.2224, boathouseforestpark.com2nd: Sasha’s 3rd: The Royalehonorable mention: Ted drewes Frozen Custard raleigh rockey Spot



PHo

To B

Y C

arM

eN T

roes

ser

Favorite barbecuepAppy’S SMOkEhOUSE3106 olive St., St. Louis, 314.535.4340, pappyssmokehouse.com2nd: Bogart’s Smokehouse3rd: (tie) PM BBQ and Phil’s Bar-B-Q honorable mention: Main Street BBQ

Favorite Cajun/CreoleBrOAdwAy OyStEr BAr736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.621.8811, broadwayoysterbar.com2nd: Riverbend Restaurant and Bar3rd: (tie) The highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen and The Gumbo Shop honorable mention: Molly’s in Soulard

Favorite ChineselU lU SEAFOOd & dIM SUM8224 olive Blvd., University City, 314.997.3108, luluseafoodrestaurant.com2nd: (tie) Chinese Noodle

Café and Wang Gang Asian Eats 3rd: house of Wonghonorable mention: Yen Ching

Favorite deli/sandwichesBlUES CIty dElI2438 McNair Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.8225, bluescitydeli.com2nd: Mom’s deli3rd: Fozzie’s Sandwich Emporiumhonorable mention: (tie) Nora’s and Pickles deli

Favorite Eastern European/BosnianGrBIC rEStAUrANt4071 Keokuk St., St. Louis, 314.772.31002nd: Bosna Gold3rd: Berix Restauranthonorable mention: Aya Sofia

Favorite English/Irish/ScottishthE SCOttISh ArMSEight S. Sarah St., St.

Louis, 314.535.0551, thescottisharms.com2nd: John d. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden3rd: Llywelyn’s Pubhonorable mention: dressel’s Public house

Favorite FrenchBrASSErIE By NIChE4580 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com2nd: (tie) Franco and Vin de Set 3rd: LaBonne Bouchéehonorable mention: Bistro 1130

Favorite frozen dessertstEd drEwES FrOZEN CUStArd6726 Chippewa St., St. Louis, 314.481.2652 and 4224 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.352.7376, teddrewes.com2nd: Fitz’s Root Beer3rd: Serendipity homemade Ice Creamhonorable mention: doozle’s Frozen Custard

Favorite GermanSChNEIthOrSt’S1600 S. Lindbergh Road, Ladue, 314.993.4100, schneithorst.com2nd: Feasting Fox Restaurant & Pub3rd: dreamland Palacehonorable mention: St. Louis Gast haus

Favorite GreekOlyMpIA kEBOB hOUSE & tAvErNA1543 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, 314.781.12992nd: Michael’s Bar and Grill3rd: Momos Greek Tavernhonorable mention: Gyro house

Favorite IndianhOUSE OF INdIA8501 delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.567.6850, hoistl.com2nd: (tie) India Palace and Rasoi 3rd: Gokul Indian Restauranthonorable mention: Saffron Indian Cuisine

Favorite ItaliantrAttOrIA MArCEllA3600 Watson Road, St. Louis, 314.352.7706, trattoriamarcella.com2nd: Cunetto house of Pasta3rd: Mad Tomato Italian Kitchenhonorable mention: Zia’s on The hill

Favorite Japanese/sushiwASABIVarious locations, wasabistl.com2nd: Tani Sushi Bistro3rd: (tie) Nobu’s Japanese Restaurant and Nori Sushi & Japanese Grill honorable mention: drunken Fish Sushi Restaurant & Lounge

winners by cuisine Whether it’s biscuits, banh mi or burritos you’re craving, here’s where you pull up a chair.

Favorite koreanU-CIty GrIll6696 Enright Ave., St. Louis, 314.721.30732nd: Seoul Taco3rd: Everest Café & Barhonorable mention: Korea house

Favorite Mexican (tie) lAS FUENtES680 Lindbergh Blvd., Florissant, 314.831.5057and pUEBlO SOlIS5127 hampton Ave., St. Louis, 314.351.9000, pueblosolisstl.com2nd: La Vallesana3rd: (tie) Milagro Modern Mexican and Mi Ranchitohonorable mention: Ruiz Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Middle EasternrANOUSh 200 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.984.8899 and 6501 delmar Blvd., University City, 314.726.6874, ranoush.com2nd: Aya Sofia3rd: Cafe Natasha’s Kebob Internationalhonorable mention: The Vine Mediterranean Café and Market

Favorite pizzapI pIZZErIAVarious locations, restaurantpi.com

2nd: Peel Wood Fired Pizza3rd: (tie) Katie’s Pizzeria Cafe, The Good Pie and Faraci’s Pizza honorable mention: (tie) PW Pizza and Black Thorn Pub & Pizza

Favorite seafoodOCEANO BIStrO44 N. Brentwood drive, Clayton, 314.721.9400, oceanobistro.com2nd: Bristol Seafood Grill3rd: Broadway oyster Barhonorable mention: Bob’s Seafood

Favorite soul foodSwEEtIE pIE’S9841 W. Florissant Ave., Ferguson, 314.521.9915 and 4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.371.0304, sweetiepieskitchen.com 2nd: Mama Josephine’s3rd: Goody Goody dinerhonorable mention: Yummie’s

Favorite South American/pan-latinyEMANJA BrASIl2900 Missouri Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.7457, yemanjabrasil.com2nd: Mango Peruvian Cuisine3rd: Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisinehonorable mention: Maya Cafe


Clockwise from top: mint chutney, Chef’s Special, naan, matar paneer at

house of India

Favorite SpanishMOdEStO tApAS BAr & rEStAUrANt5257 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8272, modestotapas.com2nd: Barcelona Tapas Restaurant3rd: Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapashonorable mention: Sanctuaria

Favorite steakhouseCItIZEN kANE’S StEAk hOUSE133 W. Clinton Place, Kirkwood, 314.965.9005, citizenkanes.com2nd: Tucker’s Place3rd: Ruth’s Chris Steak househonorable mention: (tie) Prime 1000 and Porter’s Steakhouse

Favorite thaikING ANd I thAI CUISINE3157 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.1777, thaispicy.com2nd: Pearl Café 3rd: Sen Thai Asian Bistrohonorable mention: (tie) Thai Cafe and Simply Thai

Favorite vietnamesephO GrANd3195 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.664.7435, phogrand.com2nd: Mai Lee3rd: LemonGrass Vietnamese Cuisinehonorable mention: Banh Mi So



DrinkPH

oTo

BY

asH

leY

gIe

sekI

Ng

I practically set up camp on this patio when the weather’s warmEClIpSE

6177 delmar Blvd., University City, 314.726.2222, eclipsestlouis.com2nd: John d. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden

3rd: (tie) Cielo and hendel’s Market Cafe honorable mention: Sasha’s on Shaw

Eclipse’s patio atop the Moonrise hotel


i drink here way too often the roYaLe

here’s where the glitterati gathers: cafe napoLi

THe

roYa

le P

Ho

To B

Y jo

Na

THa

N g

aYM

aN

more drink winners

dRINK

a few things are certain about a night spent at The Royale: Stellar cocktails will be sipped, indie rock will be played and “enlightened” musings will be told by an eclectic group of imbibing patrons. No wonder you drink here way too often. Now, a few such ramblings overhead on just such an evening …

— Stacy Schultz

the cocktails here are truly top shelftAStE By NIChE4584 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.361.1200, tastebarstl.com2nd: (tie) Sanctuaria and Eclipse 3rd: SubZero Vodka Barhonorable mention: Blood & Sand

Favorite brewerySChlAFly2100 Locust St., St. Louis and 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, 314.241.2337, schlafly.com2nd: Ferguson Brewing Co.3rd: Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.honorable mention: (tie) 4 hands Brewing Co. and Perennial Artisan Ales

Favorite wineryChANdlEr hIll vINEyArdS596 defiance Road, defiance, 636.798.2675, chandlerhillvineyards.com2nd: (tie) Montelle Winery and Mount Pleasant Winery3rd: Stone hill Wineryhonorable mention: Chaumette Winery and Vineyards

Favorite wine barSAShA’S706 deMun Ave., Clayton, 314.863.7274, sashaswinebar.com and 4065 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.7274, facebook.com/sashasonshaw/info2nd: Robust Wine Bar3rd: Cork Wine Barhonorable mention: 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar

I drink here way too oftenthE rOyAlE3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.3600, theroyale.com2nd: Sasha’s3rd: (tie) International Tap house and Robust Wine Bar honorable mention: Trueman’s Place

“I didn’t have anything in my system except this really potent stimulant.”

“Mick jagger said, ‘You can’t always get what you want.’”

“I’m gonna start abbreviating everything I’m saying to you – just in case.”

“Yesterday was awful. I slept till

noon, then I went to sleep at nine. Was a rough day.”

“everyone’s leaving Ireland; there are no jobs.”

“I’m gonna lay out tomorrow; my face isn’t peeling yet.”

“I’m wearing really tight underwear right now.

“Pull my hair, bite my neck and I’m good.”

Looking to stargaze but the planetarium’s closed? head to cafe napoli for your fill of random celebs and local sports bigwigs. When asked why the clayton restaurant attracts so many stars, manager/sommelier chris holmes chalked it up to location. “We call it a piazza – a gathering. our patio is an eye catcher.” Service helps, too; staff is trained to be courteous to all, including those whose bar slip signatures you hope to frame. – Julie Cohen

kiefer Sutherland: actor (aka the man who saved the world in one day – nine times)

Jim Edmonds: retired center fielder, Cardinals

danica patrick: racecar driver, model

Cast of The Sopranos

Billy Bob thorton: actor

Stan Musial: you know him, he’s “the Man.”

Jeff Fisher: head coach, rams

Cedric the Entertainer: actor, comedian

t.J. Oshie: right wing, Blues

Sam Bradford: quarterback, rams

Florence henderson: actress (aka Carol Brady)

here’s where the glitterati gathersCAFE NApOlI7754 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314.863.5731, cafenapoli.com2nd: 3603rd: (tie) Cielo and herbie’s Vintage 72 honorable mention: Lucas Park Grille

So, which famous faces have been spotted at Cafe Napoli lately?


PHo

Tos

BY a

MrI

Ta r

aW

aT

more drink winners

Sanctuaria bar manager Matt Seiter is dedicated to spreading the good word of liquordom. Seiter has tales to tell about every bottle sitting on Sanctuaria’s shelves, but what about the booze bios in his own personal stash at home? We stopped by to find out.

— Interviewed by ligaya Figueras

rEhOrSt GIN“This is the gin I sip on. I have bottles from the first, second and third release. This stuff is freaking phenomenal.”

CAMUS BOrdErIES XO COGNAC“a Camus brand ambassador came to Sanctuaria one night. He brought out an open bottle of Borderies and gave it to me. It’s $150 to $160 a bottle. I poured tastings for everybody at the bar. He goes, ‘Why’d you do that? That was for you.’ I said, ‘What am I going to do? Take it home and drink it by myself? Those guys [at the bar] would probably never have the chance to taste it.’ a couple weeks later he sent me a full bottle saying, ‘Thanks for sharing and for the support.’”

lAUChE kUMMEl“This is some old booze from the 1940s. I got it unopened, but I had to open it to see what it tasted like.”

wIllEtt kENtUCky BOUrBON“This is from a 21-year barrel. It’s straight out of the barrel; no water added. There were only 15 bottles made; this is bottle No. 12. I paid $180 for the bottle. It’s the second best whiskey I’ve ever had. It’s being saved for a death, a birth or if I ever get married.”

MOSCOw MUlE MUG“It’s the original Moscow Mule mug from the Cock‘n Bull in Hollywood – the original place for the Moscow Mule.”

ElIJAh CrAIG 20-yEAr-Old SINGlE-BArrEl BOUrBON“It’s the first bottling of their 20-year-old [whiskey]. I tasted it right out of the barrels. It’s the best whiskey I’ve ever had in my life. There’s just a little drop left. I guess I’m saving that for hard times.”

ElIJAh CrAIG 12-yEAr-Old BOUrBON“This is from the first barrel that Sanctuaria picked. The second barrel, we just got in. It’s bottled exclusively for Sanctuaria.”

Bartender of the YearMAtt SEItEr, SANCtUArIA2nd: Ted Kilgore, Taste by Niche3rd: TJ Vytlacil, Blood & Sandhonorable mention: Seth Wahlman, Eclipse

Favorite publlywElyN’S pUBVarious locations, llywelynspub.com2nd: o’Connell’s Pub3rd: John d. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden honorable mention: dressel’s Public house

this places makes the best cup of coffee in townkAldI’S COFFEEVarious locations, kaldiscoffee.com2nd: (tie) The Mud house and Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. 3rd: Sump Coffee honorable mention: 222 Artisan Bakery

when I need just one more, I head here for a nightcapSANCtUArIA4198 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.535.9700, sanctuariastl.com2nd: Baileys’ Chocolate Bar3rd: Brennan’s Wine, Food & Tobaccohonorable mention: (tie) Fox & hounds Tavern and Gettemeier’s Bar & Grill

this is sports fans’ home baselEStEr’S SpOrtS BAr & GrIllVarious locations, lestersrestaurant.com2nd: The Post Sports Bar & Grill3rd: Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafoodhonorable mention: (tie) Stadium Sports Bar and Grill and St. Louis Sports Zone

this place does happy hour rightMOdEStO tApAS BAr & rEStAUrANt5257 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8272, modestotapas.com2nd: Llywelyn’s Pub3rd: Nick’s Pubhonorable mention: Café Mochi

Bartender of the Year: Matt Seiter, Sanctuaria

BEAM ANd BUd“I don’t make drinks at home. I don’t keep juices. I drink stuff straight. I like Jim Beam and Budweiser. a shot of Jim Beam and a Bud. Sip back and forth.”



Shop

Favorite coffee roasterkAldI’S COFFEE

700 St. Bernard’s Lane, St. Louis, 314.727.9991, kaldiscoffee.com2nd: Chauvin Coffee Co.

3rd: (tie) Goshen Coffee Co. and Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. honorable mention: Shaw’s Coffee

probat coffee roasters at kaldi’s roasting & training Center downtown

PHo

To B

Y g

reg

ra

NN

ells


ShoPmore shop winners

old

To

WN

do

ug

HN

uT

PHo

Tos

BY l

au

ra M

Ille

r

24-7

1

favorite Doughnut Shop: oLD toWn DonutS

Before there was such a thing as Woodstock or a man on the moon, old town Donuts was serving up rings of fried bliss to the inhabitants of north county. after 44 years in business, old town added a second location in cottleville this year. Between both stores, old town now has 3,200 square feet of doughnut heaven – even more reason to let out a notch in your belt and order doughnut no. 2.

– Julie Cohen

Favorite doughnut shopOld tOwN dONUtS508 New Florissant Road, Florissant, 314.831.0907 and 3941 Mid Rivers Mall drive, Cottleville, 636.447.0907, oldtowndonuts.com2nd: World’s Fair donuts3rd: donut drive-Inhonorable mention: Ray’s donuts

1,500

92

32

4 a.m.

a sure sign that people like your doughnuts: they order 1,500 at a time – old town’s largest order to

date.

how many doughnuts has took eaten after working almost 10

hours? “zero. i taste them, but i don’t eat them. not because they’re not

good; it’s like working in a chocolate factory. Your clothes smell like them ... you can’t eat them every day.”

until recently, old town’s oldest employee was 92. She had to

retire, because her kids were getting too old to drive her to work.

Mary anselmo brings new significance to the saying, “i could do that in my sleep.” She has been

working old town’s surprisingly packed midnight shift for 32 years.

owner keith took wakes up at 4 a.m. every day. Every day.

old town’s florissant location is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week. hello, christmas breakfast.

a standard glazed, round doughnut is old town’s no.1 seller, with the

chocolate long john a close second.

30

0

old town boasts 30 different types of doughnuts. from took’s

favorite, the old fashioned, to the sweet and salty Bacon caramel (pictured), good luck choosing

what to crave next.

Favorite farmers marketSOUlArd FArMErS MArkEt730 Carroll St., St. Louis, 314.622.4180, soulardmarket.com2nd: Tower Grove Farmers’ Market3rd: Ferguson Farmers’ Markethonorable mention: Kirkwood Farmers’ Market

Favorite grocery storetrAdEr JOE’SVarious locations, traderjoes.com2nd: dierbergs 3rd: Straub’shonorable mention: Schnucks

Favorite butcher shopkENrICk’S MEAtS & CAtErING4324 Weber Road, St. Louis, 314.631.2440, kenricks.com2nd: Paul’s Market3rd: (tie) Baumann’s Fine Meats and Straub’s honorable mention: G&W Sausage Co.

Favorite place to buy cheesewhOlE FOOdS MArkEt1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, 314.968.7744 and 1160 Town and Country Crossing drive, Town and Country, 636.527.1160, wholefoodsmarket.com2nd: The Wine and Cheese Place3rd: Trader Joe’shonorable mention: di Gregorio’s Market


favorite specialty food shop (tie) Di gregorio’S Market and gLoBaL fooDS Market

more shop winners

Favorite local breadCOMpANIONVarious locations, companionstl.com2nd: Black Bear Bakery3rd: Great harvest Bread Co.honorable mention: Missouri Baking Co.

Favorite cakes and pastriesMCArthUr’S BAkEryVarious locations, mcarthurs.com2nd: helfer’s Pastries3rd: (tie) The Cup and Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Cafehonorable mention: Sugaree Baking Co.

Favorite place to buy chocolate and candieskAkAO ChOCOlAtE2301 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.2310 and 7272 Manchester Road, Maplewood, 314.645.4446, kakaochocolate.com2nd: Bissinger’s3rd: Crown Candy Kitchenhonorable mention: Merbs Candies

Favorite kitchenware storeSUr lA tABlE295 Plaza Frontenac, Frontenac, 314.993.0566, surlatable.com2nd: Williams-Sonoma3rd: Cornucopiahonorable mention: Kitchen Conservatory

Gongura (gohn-GOO-rah): Known as red sorrel, this red-stemmed leaf has a sour, tangy flavor. The vegetable is typically pickled or cooked with dal.

tarhana (tar-hA-na): A dry soup blend made from a dough of grain and yogurt or milk. This sour mix, typically prepared in Turkey, Greece and other Balkan countries, is fermented, dehydrated and then crushed into tiny chunks to serve as the filler for a hearty, winter soup.

Shimeji (she-MAy-gee): A Japanese mushroom with long stems and tight, concave caps, similar in appearance to enokis. They can be white or brown and have a nutty flavor when cooked. Trim off the base, then cook them in a stir-fry, hot pot, stew or sauce.

Sprat (Spraht): A genus of small, silvery herring found in the Atlantic ocean off Europe, sprat is typically sold canned, prepared as a pâté, or in tomato sauce or oil. Substitute this fatty-fleshed, saltwater fish for sardines.

yautia lila (yow-tEE-uh lEE-luh): A long, knobby, starchy tropical root similar to taro that’s also known as malanga, cocoyam, tannia or tannier. Yautia lila has a thin, shaggy, brown skin and light gray-lavender flesh that holds a sweet, nutty flavor when cooked like yams or potatoes.

parval (pUr-vull): This Indian vegetable, also called “green potato” or “pointed gourd,” resembles a miniature cucumber. Use it in soups and curries.

Favorite specialty food shop (tie)dI GrEGOrIO’S MArkEt5200 daggett Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1062, digregoriofoods.comand GlOBAl FOOdS MArkEt 421 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.835.1112, globalfoodsmarket.com2nd: Manzo Sausage Kitchen & Market3rd: Extra Virgin, An olive ovationhonorable mention: Jay International Food Co.

the aisles at global foods Market are filled with unpronounceable foodstuffs from more nations than we have space to name. But that shouldn’t stop you from discovering how tasty life can be when you broaden your culinary horizons a bit. What’s that itsy-bitsy ‘cuke in the produce section? how should you cook that package of tiny, white grains that look like gravel? finally, a glossary of offbeat foods to toss into your cart next time you cross the border into oh-so foreign territory – er, kirkwood.

— ligaya Figueras


ShoPmore shop winners

When it comes to liquor, you can find anything and everything in the seemingly endless aisles at randall’s. But what do you bring to hang with your recently laid-off lad? and which bottle do you grab to toast your newly betrothed brethren? We asked resident booze experts Steve Drda, teshma thompson, nate Letcher and Ben almquist what they’d bring to each of life’s many occasions. here’s what they said they’d bring to …

— Interviewed by Julie Cohen

A picnic: Lagosta vinho verde – a “patio

pounder” that goes down smooth and doesn’t cost much.

A college graduation gift: Johnnie Walker Blue Label; let it be a gift for the dad though. after all, he (hopefully) doesn’t have to pay the bills anymore.

A funeral: Depends if you’re catholic or not.

rogue Dead guy ale or a cooler of Stag to keep in the trunk of your car;

make sure that cooler has a soft top to sit on.

Apologize to your significant other after a fight: freaky Muscato.

Get your buddy drunk for the first time: aftershock, a brass monkey, a bunch of car bombs, Manischewitz

or sloe gin.

Give your sworn enemy: ghost face killah made with ghost peppers [from twisted pine

Brewing]. or white zinfandel.

A holiday party: fonseca 20-Year-old tawny port.

Impress the boss: Midleton irish

Whiskey.

hang with your friend who just got fired: Something for shots, of course: Dos

Lunas tequila.

Meet the parents: a full-bodied red blend

like gundlach Bundschu Mountain cuvee. (the ability to say the name correctly serves as the

unofficial sobriety test in Sonoma county. Let’s try it again: gun-lock-butt-

shoe.)

An engagement party: veuve clicquot. or Bitch grenache (if

you don’t like the girl).

favorite liquor store randall’s

Favorite liquor storerANdAll’SVarious locations, shoprandalls.com2nd: Lukas Liquor Superstore3rd: Friar Tuckhonorable mention: The Wine and Cheese Place

Favorite wine shopthE wINE ANd ChEESE plACEVarious locations, wineandcheeseplace.com2nd: The Wine Merchant3rd: Randall’shonorable mention: Saint Louis Cellars

Favorite catererhOllyBErry CAtErING284 East Ave., Webster Groves, 314.968.9239, hollyberrycatering.com2nd: Butler’s Pantry Catering & Events3rd: Russo’s Cateringhonorable mention: Gourmet to Go



Documents

Readers' Choice 2012