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The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Docket delivers: Great food, ambiance and opportunity make it a unanimous decision at Scott Hall

Pizzas+from+a+wood-burning+oven+at+SLU%E2%80%99s+newest+restaurant.+
Pizzas from a wood-burning oven at SLU’s newest restaurant.

Fresh, simple and deliciously interactive!

These words floated throughout The Docket, the new restaurant at the Scott Law Center downtown. General manager, Jorge Rama, was adamant about creating a space for a welcoming atmosphere for students, businessman and St. Louisans alike.

Being on the first floor of the Saint Louis University law school will definitely attract a lot of SLU law students, but Rama envisioned more.
The Docket is located right around the corner from the courthouse and many of St. Louis’ other federal buildings. Rama hopes that the central location will make The Docket an ideal place for students and professionals to interact, whether it is over a drink at the bar or lunch at one of the large communal style tables.

Pizzas from a wood-burning oven at SLU’s newest restaurant.
Pizzas from a wood-burning oven at SLU’s newest restaurant.

As for the kitchen at The Docket, Rama said he “would like to use as much local [produce] as we can,” for the contemporary Mediterranean menu.
He and Executive Chef Treff Baker both agree that supporting local businesses is a key element to welcoming the surrounding community to the new Scott Law Center. Plus, there are so many tremendous products in the area that it would be foolish for the team at The Docket to ignore them.

At The Docket they will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday through Friday, while Saturday will be open for only a dinner service.
Breakfast is a quick and casual affair at The Docket. In the mornings they offer fresh pastries, breakfast sandwiches and other on-the-go items perfect for a busy student or professional rushing off to the classroom or the courthouse.

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The head pastry chef is not only whipping up great traditional pastries, but also hopes to incorporate appealing options for diners with dietary restrictions, such as lactose and gluten intolerance.

At lunch there is a chef’s table option, which is similar to a buffet style dining experience featuring a wide selection of dishes.
On the regular menu there are pizzas made in the wood-burning oven (served with scissors for cutting, how brilliant!), delicious panini sandwiches and a great variety of small plates, such as roasted asparagus drizzled with a balsamic reduction.

Grilled lamb kebabs and various pasta dishes round out the menu with wonderful traditional flavor combinations, but there are also exciting specials offered every day.

A personal favorite when sampling the menu was definitely the roast beef panini with caramelized onions, while the lamb kabobs were also delicious and a perfect for sharing with friends.

Chef Baker is also excited about the varied, seasonal menus The Docket will be offering. This reflects his philosophy on cooking: food should be prepared in a simple manner, drawing from the influences of European peasantry.

Being a big fan of the comfort food that comes with fall, Baker is already excited about experimenting with autumn ingredients, such as squash, and hinted at the possibility of pumpkin ravioli.

Molly Rippinger/Arts Editor Communal tables at SLU’s newest restaurant.
Molly Rippinger/Arts Editor
Communal tables at SLU’s newest restaurant.

Chef Baker explained that the food is meant to be interactive, where big plates can be placed in the center of the table and the guests serve each other, allowing them to bond and try as many things as they can. While The Docket is described as serving  Mediterranean cuisine, the chef’s take is very interesting in that he applies a comfort food concept to a menu full of  Mediterranean-style dishes.

To complement the great atmosphere, the service at The Docket is as hospitable as it gets. Walking inside the restaurant, you can immediately recognize how the whole staff works together to make each customer feel valued.

From the executive chef to buser, each employee wears the same beige uniform to encourage customers to approach anyone roaming the restaurant for help. The whole staff is a tight-knit team dedicated to providing each guest with an excellent experience at The Docket.

In case fresh, seasonal food and the chance to interact with various St. Louis professionals isn’t enough incentive for undergrads to make the trip downtown, The Docket – which will be accessible by SLU campus shuttles – has decided to accept both Billiken Bucks and Flex Points as payment.

All in all, no one should have any objections to what  The Docket has to offer.

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