All the talk in the kitchen these days is about Sauce, a culinary magazine dedicated to all food enthusiasts, cooks and wannabe cooks around the St. Louis area. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Sauce editor in chief Catherine Neville to sift out the latest gossip from the food world. Just what is the next “fashionable” food? Where can I grind the most out of my money? How many cooking puns/verbs can I squeeze into one article? You’ll soon find out!
In a city so well known for its culinary delights (toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, anyone?), you may be wondering what is that one place that has that quintessential St. Louis taste; the place where everyone needs to eat at least once while in St. Louis. Said Neville, “It’s almost impossible to pick just one place since it really depends on what you’re looking for . But if I had to choose, I would say Blueberry Hill.” According to Neville, it served as an anchor that helped to spur redevelopment of an area that suffered through a severe economic depression. Blueberry Hill, located in The Delmar Loop, serves American-style food and is known for having some of the best burgers in the city.
Fashion Week, which just took place in New York, reminds us of what we should be wearing, but have you ever considered what you should be eating? The Cohen family on the hit TV show The O.C. was well known for their Thai food obsession; however, to the chagrin of O.C. fans everywhere, the show was recently canceled. Was it the lower ratings, perhaps? Losing Mischa Barton from the cast? No-it’s actually because Thai food is now, regrettably, pass?! You are what you eat, after all . Foods tend to go in and out of “style” over the years, and I asked Neville what the next up and coming “it” food will be. Forget Marc Jacobs or Prada-this year’s steamy accessory is a plate of sushi, according to Neville. “People are leaning toward the more authentic, ethnic foods, rather than Americanized ethnic foods. At the moment, Americans have a taste for Asian food, particularly Korean . and sushi,” she said.
However, it doesn’t matter how stylish food is if you can’t afford it. In a world where the word “college” has become synonymous with “stone-broke,” I decided to grill Neville on where to find the best cheap eats. If you’re looking for the best way to mince your limited dollars, “head to restaurants along Cherokee Street,” said Neville. In particular, two restaurants jumped to her mind: Los Catrachos, serving Honduran fare, and Grand Boulevard’s Pho Grand, a Vietnamese haven. In general, “you should be safe with most family-run, ethnic restaurants,” she said, “as they tend to be the fairest with their pricing.”
Meanwhile, as the clock steadily ticks away from another Valentine’s Day, many guys are beginning to panic about the fact that their big Valentine’s Day plans were a bust. Have no fear, gentlemen! Neville suggested several places around town that will be sure to make any romantic dinner . well, romantic. Bailey’s Chocolate Bar, located in Lafayette Square, specializes in-you guessed it-chocolate; everything from chocolate brownies to chocolate soups, in addition to drinks, cheeses and assorted aphrodisiacs. Neville also recommended restaurants that serve Spanish-style tapas (appetizer-type meals that are shared between members of the party), such as Modesto’s on the Hill, or BARcelona in Clayton, especially if you’re searching for a way to make that first move. “Tapas are great for dates, since the [sharing] immediately creates a connection,” said Neville.
But where to eat when it’s not a romantic holiday? Do you find yourself eating at the same place every weekend? Next time, try to mix it up a little by trying some of these more entertaining restaurants. For instance, the Schlafly Bottleworks on Southwest Avenue; not only can you fill your stomach, but you can walk off your meal by taking a tour of the facility where they bottle beer. In addition, Neville recommended Top of the Riverfront, a revolving restaurant on the top of the Millenium Hotel; Fitz’s, a soft drink factory in the Loop; and Beatnik Bob’s, an intriguing little caf? in the City Museum that appears as though the artist walked in and “threw up on it.”
Are none of these suggestions what you’re looking for? Then go pick up the latest copy of Sauce magazine, located in the north lobby of the Busch Student Center, and read up on other places and different foods. Every edition has a little bit of everything, from breakfast foods, to kid-friendly restaurants, to foods from different ethnic backgrounds.
Bon appetit! (You knew that was coming.)
