Sauce Magazine // Reader's Choice 2012

Featuring favorite new restaurant Cleveland-heath and 67 other winners

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M anaging eDitor art Director

Senior Staff Writer contriButing eDitor

SpeciaL SectionS eDitor fact checkerS proofreaDer proDuction DeSigner contriButing photographerS

allyson Mace

Stacy Schultz

Meera nagarajan

Ligaya figueras

Julie c ohen

Stacy Schultz

robert Severson, Lindsay toler emily Lowery rebekah Wessels

contriButing iLLuStrator contriButing WriterS

reL ationS Director office M anager

aDvertiSing SaLeS M anager

Senior aDvertiSing executive aDvertiSing executiveS

account M anager

Jonathan gayman, ashley gieseking, David kovaluk, Laura Miller, greg rannells, amrita rawat, kristi Schiffman carmen troesser vidhya n agarajan

Julie cohen, Ligaya figueras, Stacy Schultz erin keplinger

Sharon arnot erin keplinger angie rosenberg

erin anderson, erin keplinger, allyson Mace, angie rosenberg

Jill george

contact u S

1820 chouteau ave.

St. LouiS, MiSSouri 63103

ph: 314.772.8004

fax: 314.241.8004

SauceM agazine.coM

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

dine winners drINk

15 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 ShOp

Favorite coffee roaster

Favorite doughnut shop

Photo by Carmen Troesser

more dine winners

My hands-down favorite restaurant

SIdNEy StrEEt CAFE

2000 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.771.5777, sidneystreetcafe.com

2nd: Niche

3rd: Farmhaus

honorable mention: Eleven Eleven Mississippi

this restaurant has been around forever and I still can’t get enough

SIdNEy StrEEt CAFE

2000 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.771.5777, sidneystreetcafe.com

2nd: Blueberry hill

3rd: harvest

honorable mention: Annie Gunn’s

Chef of the year

GErArd CrAFt,

NIChE FAMIly OF rEStAUrANtS

2nd: Eric heath, Cleveland-heath

3rd: Kevin Nashan, Sidney Street Cafe

honorable mention: Kevin Willmann, Farmhaus

I wish my house looked as good as this restaurant

ArAkA

131 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, 314.725.6777, araka.com

2nd: Salt

3rd: Josephine’s Tea Rooms and Gift Shops

honorable mention: Cielo

cheap eats: faSt eDDie’S Bon air

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

2 house-made bratwursts $1.98 2

Favorite cheap eats FASt EddIE’S BON AIr

1530 E. Fourth St., Alton, Ill., 618.462.5532, fasteddiesbonair.com

2nd: (tie) Carl’s drive In, hodak’s and La Vallesana 3rd: Pho Grand honorable mention: Nora’s

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.

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.”

– 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 here

3rd: home Wine Kitchen honorable mention: de.lish Cheesecake Bakery and Café no one rolls their eyes at my dietary needs here: LocaL harveSt cafe

— Julie Cohen

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

lOCAl hArvESt CAFE 3137 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.772.8815, localharvestcafe.com

2nd: Vegadeli

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

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

“[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

410 Market St., St. Louis, 314.231.7007, saucecafe. com/tonys

2nd: Eleven Eleven Mississippi

3rd: (tie) Niche and Sidney Street Cafe

honorable mention: Charlie Gitto’s on The hill

this brunch gives me a reason to roll out of bed hAlF & hAlF

8135 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.725.0719, halfandhalfstl.com

2nd: (tie) Brasserie by Niche and Rooster

3rd: Three Monkeys honorable mention: Vin de Set

If I won the lottery, I’d eat here once a week NIChE

1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.773.7755, nichestlouis.com

2nd: Tony’s 3rd: Sidney Street Cafe honorable mention: Ruth’s Chris Steak house

Favorite restaurant to wow out-of-towners (tie) BlUEBErry hIll 6504 delmar Blvd., University City, 314.727.4444, blueberryhill.com and NIChE

1831 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.773.7755, nichestlouis.com

2nd: Sidney Street Cafe

3rd: Pappy’s Smokehouse honorable mention: herbie’s Vintage 72

I could hang out in this coffee shop all day kAldI’S COFFEE

Various locations, kaldiscoffee.com

2nd: The Mud house 3rd: (tie) Café Ventana and Sacred Grounds Cafe honorable mention: Park Avenue Coffee

more dine winners

t his place is farm-tofork at its best FA r M h AUS

3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St. Louis, 314.647.3800, farmhausrestaurant.com

2nd: Local h arvest Cafe

3rd: Five Bistro h onorable mention: Annie Gunn’s

I’ll follow this food truck all over town

pI ON th E Sp O t

Twitter: @PiTruckSTL

2nd: Guerrilla Streetfood

3rd: Seoul Taco h onorable mention: Cha Cha Chow

t he best flippin’ burger in town

O’C ONNE ll’ S pUB

4652 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.6600, saucemagazine.com/ oconnells

2nd: Blueberry h ill

3rd: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

h onorable mention: (tie)

Seamus Mc d aniel’s and Carl’s d rive In

Favorite new restaurant

ClEvElANd-hEAth

106 N. Main St., Edwardsville, Ill., 618.307.4830, clevelandheath.com

2nd: Baileys’ Range

3rd: (tie) Nico and home

Wine Kitchen

honorable mention:

EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery

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

My pup begs to come here

BOAthOUSE FOrESt pArk 6101 Government drive, St. Louis, 314.367.2224, boathouseforestpark.com

2nd: Sasha’s 3rd: The Royale honorable mention: Ted drewes Frozen Custard raleigh

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 8144 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.962.9078, thegrovedeli.com and thE ShAvEd dUCk 2900 Virginia Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1407, theshavedduck.com

2nd: Anthonino’s Taverna on The hill 3rd: Stellina honorable mention: Riverbend Restaurant & Bar

winners by cuisine

Favorite barbecue pAppy’S SMOkEhOUSE

3106 olive St., St. Louis, 314.535.4340, pappyssmokehouse.com

2nd: Bogart’s Smokehouse

3rd: (tie) PM BBQ and Phil’s Bar-B-Q honorable mention: Main Street BBQ

Favorite Cajun/Creole BrOAdwAy OyStEr BAr

736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.621.8811, broadwayoysterbar.com

2nd: Riverbend Restaurant and Bar

3rd: (tie) The highway 61 Roadhouse and Kitchen and The Gumbo Shop honorable mention: Molly’s in Soulard

Favorite Chinese lU lU SEAFOOd & dIM SUM

8224 olive Blvd., University City, 314.997.3108, luluseafoodrestaurant.com

2nd: (tie) Chinese Noodle

Café and Wang Gang

Asian Eats

3rd: house of Wong honorable mention: Yen Ching

Favorite deli/sandwiches

BlUES CIty dElI

2438 McNair Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.8225, bluescitydeli.com

2nd: Mom’s deli

3rd: Fozzie’s Sandwich Emporium honorable mention: (tie) Nora’s and Pickles deli

Favorite Eastern European/ Bosnian GrBIC rEStAUrANt 4071 Keokuk St., St. Louis, 314.772.3100

2nd: Bosna Gold

3rd: Berix Restaurant honorable mention: Aya Sofia

Favorite English/Irish/ Scottish thE SCOttISh ArMS

Eight S. Sarah St., St.

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

Louis, 314.535.0551, thescottisharms.com

2nd: John d. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden 3rd: Llywelyn’s Pub honorable mention: dressel’s Public house

Favorite French BrASSErIE By NIChE 4580 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com

2nd: (tie) Franco and Vin de Set

3rd: LaBonne Bouchée honorable mention: Bistro 1130

Favorite frozen desserts tEd drEwES FrOZEN CUStArd 6726 Chippewa St., St. Louis, 314.481.2652 and 4224 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.352.7376, teddrewes.com

2nd: Fitz’s Root Beer

3rd: Serendipity homemade Ice Cream honorable mention: doozle’s Frozen Custard

Favorite German SChNEIthOrSt’S 1600 S. Lindbergh Road, Ladue, 314.993.4100, schneithorst.com

2nd: Feasting Fox Restaurant & Pub

3rd: dreamland Palace

honorable mention: St. Louis Gast haus

Favorite Greek OlyMpIA kEBOB hOUSE & tAvErNA 1543 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, 314.781.1299

2nd: Michael’s Bar and Grill

3rd: Momos Greek Tavern honorable mention: Gyro house

Favorite Indian hOUSE OF INdIA 8501 delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.567.6850, hoistl.com

2nd: (tie) India Palace and Rasoi

3rd: Gokul Indian Restaurant

honorable mention: Saffron Indian Cuisine

Favorite Italian trAttOrIA MArCEllA 3600 Watson Road, St. Louis, 314.352.7706, trattoriamarcella.com

2nd: Cunetto house of Pasta 3rd: Mad Tomato Italian Kitchen

honorable mention: Zia’s on The hill

Favorite Japanese/sushi wASABI

Various locations, wasabistl.com

2nd: Tani Sushi Bistro

3rd: (tie) Nobu’s Japanese Restaurant and Nori Sushi & Japanese Grill

honorable mention: drunken Fish Sushi Restaurant & Lounge

Favorite korean U-CIty GrIll 6696 Enright Ave., St. Louis, 314.721.3073

2nd: Seoul Taco

3rd: Everest Café & Bar

honorable mention: Korea house

Favorite Mexican (tie) lAS FUENtES

680 Lindbergh Blvd., Florissant, 314.831.5057 and pUEBlO SOlIS

5127 hampton Ave., St. Louis, 314.351.9000, pueblosolisstl.com

2nd: La Vallesana

3rd: (tie) Milagro

Modern Mexican and Mi Ranchito

honorable mention: Ruiz Mexican Restaurant

Favorite Middle Eastern rANOUSh

200 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.984.8899 and 6501 delmar Blvd., University City, 314.726.6874, ranoush.com

2nd: Aya Sofia

3rd: Cafe Natasha’s Kebob International honorable mention: The Vine Mediterranean Café and Market

Favorite pizza pI pIZZErIA

Various locations, restaurantpi.com

2nd: Peel Wood Fired Pizza

3rd: (tie) Katie’s Pizzeria Cafe, The Good Pie and Faraci’s Pizza honorable mention: (tie) PW Pizza and Black Thorn Pub & Pizza

Favorite seafood

OCEANO BIStrO 44 N. Brentwood drive, Clayton, 314.721.9400, oceanobistro.com

2nd: Bristol Seafood Grill

3rd: Broadway oyster Bar honorable mention: Bob’s Seafood

Favorite soul food

SwEEtIE pIE’S

9841 W. Florissant Ave., Ferguson, 314.521.9915 and 4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.371.0304, sweetiepieskitchen.com

2nd: Mama Josephine’s 3rd: Goody Goody diner honorable mention: Yummie’s

Favorite South American/pan-latin yEMANJA BrASIl

2900 Missouri Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.7457, yemanjabrasil.com

2nd: Mango Peruvian Cuisine

3rd: Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine honorable mention: Maya Cafe

Favorite Spanish MOdEStO tApAS

BAr & rEStAUrANt

5257 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8272, modestotapas.com

2nd: Barcelona Tapas Restaurant

3rd: Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas

honorable mention: Sanctuaria

Favorite steakhouse

CItIZEN kANE’S

StEAk hOUSE

133 W. Clinton Place, Kirkwood, 314.965.9005, citizenkanes.com

2nd: Tucker’s Place

3rd: Ruth’s Chris Steak house honorable mention: (tie)

Prime 1000 and Porter’s Steakhouse

Favorite thai kING ANd I thAI CUISINE

3157 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.1777, thaispicy.com

2nd: Pearl Café

3rd: Sen Thai Asian Bistro h onorable mention: (tie)

Thai Cafe and Simply Thai

Favorite vietnamese phO GrANd

3195 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.664.7435, phogrand.com

2nd: Mai Lee

3rd: LemonGrass Vietnamese Cuisine honorable mention: Banh Mi So

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

Eclipse’s patio atop the Moonrise hotel

more drink winners dRINK

i drink here way too often the roYaLe

the cocktails here are truly top shelf

tAStE By NIChE

4584 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.361.1200, tastebarstl.com

2nd: (tie) Sanctuaria and Eclipse

3rd: SubZero Vodka Bar honorable mention: Blood & Sand

Favorite brewery

SChlAFly

2100 Locust St., St. Louis and 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, 314.241.2337, schlafly.com

2nd: Ferguson Brewing Co.

3rd: Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.

honorable mention: (tie) 4 hands Brewing Co. and Perennial Artisan Ales

Favorite winery

ChANdlEr hIll

vINEyArdS

596 defiance Road, defiance, 636.798.2675, chandlerhillvineyards.com

2nd: (tie) Montelle Winery and Mount Pleasant Winery

3rd: Stone hill Winery honorable mention: Chaumette Winery and Vineyards

Favorite wine bar

SAShA’S 706 deMun Ave., Clayton, 314.863.7274, sashaswinebar.com and 4065 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.7274, facebook.com/ sashasonshaw/info

2nd: Robust Wine Bar

3rd: Cork Wine Bar

honorable mention: 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar

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

“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.”

I drink here way too often thE rOyAlE

3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.3600, theroyale.com 2nd: Sasha’s 3rd: (tie) International Tap house and Robust Wine Bar honorable mention: Trueman’s Place

h ere’s where the glitterati gathers: cafe napoLi

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

here’s where the glitterati gathers

CAFE NApOlI

7754 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314.863.5731, cafenapoli.com

2nd: 360

3rd: (tie) Cielo and herbie’s Vintage 72 honorable mention: Lucas Park Grille

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

Edmonds:

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

Stan

Jim

retired center fielder, Cardinals

danica patrick: racecar driver, model

Cast of The Sopranos

Billy Bob thorton: actor

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)

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.”

Bartender of the Year: Matt Seiter, Sanctuaria

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

ElIJAh CrAIG 12-yEArOld BOUrBON

“This is from the first barrel that Sanctuaria picked. The second barrel, we just got in. It’s bottled exclusively for 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.”

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.’”

ElIJAh CrAIG 20-yEArOld 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.”

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.”

Bartender of the Year

MAtt SEItEr, SANCtUArIA

2nd: Ted Kilgore, Taste by Niche 3rd: TJ Vytlacil, Blood & Sand honorable mention: Seth Wahlman, Eclipse

Favorite pub llywElyN’S pUB

Various locations, llywelynspub.com

2nd: o’Connell’s Pub

3rd: John d. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden

honorable mention: dressel’s Public house

this places makes the best cup of coffee in town

kAldI’S COFFEE

Various locations, kaldiscoffee.com

2nd: (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 nightcap SANCtUArIA

4198 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.535.9700, sanctuariastl.com

2nd: Baileys’ Chocolate Bar

3rd: Brennan’s Wine, Food & Tobacco

honorable mention: (tie) Fox & hounds Tavern and Gettemeier’s Bar & Grill

this is sports fans’ home base

lEStEr’S SpOrtS BAr & GrIll

Various locations, lestersrestaurant.com

2nd: The Post Sports Bar & Grill

3rd: Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood

honorable mention: (tie)

Stadium Sports Bar and Grill and St. Louis Sports Zone

this place does happy hour right

MOdEStO tApAS

BAr & rEStAUrANt

5257 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8272, modestotapas.com

2nd: Llywelyn’s Pub

3rd: Nick’s Pub honorable mention: Café Mochi

probat coffee roasters at kaldi’s roasting & training Center

Favorite farmers market

SOUlArd FArMErS MArkEt

730 Carroll St., St. Louis, 314.622.4180, soulardmarket.com

2nd: Tower Grove Farmers’ Market

3rd: Ferguson Farmers’ Market honorable mention: Kirkwood Farmers’ Market

Favorite grocery store trAdEr JOE’S Various locations, traderjoes.com

2nd: dierbergs

3rd: Straub’s honorable mention: Schnucks

Favorite butcher shop kENrICk’S MEAtS & CAtErING

4324 Weber Road, St. Louis, 314.631.2440, kenricks.com

2nd: Paul’s Market

3rd: (tie) Baumann’s Fine Meats and Straub’s honorable mention: G&W Sausage Co.

Favorite place to buy cheese

whOlE FOOdS MArkEt

1601 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood, 314.968.7744 and 1160 Town and Country Crossing drive, Town and Country, 636.527.1160, wholefoodsmarket.com

2nd: The Wine and Cheese Place

3rd: Trader Joe’s honorable mention: di Gregorio’s Market

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

4 a.m.

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

1,500

a sure sign that people like your doughnuts: t hey order 1,500 at a time – o ld town’s largest order to date.

32

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.

92

o ld town boasts 30 different types of doughnuts. f rom took’s favorite, the o ld f ashioned, to the sweet and salty Bacon c aramel (pictured), good luck choosing what to crave next.

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.”

a standard glazed, round doughnut is old town’s no.1 seller, with the chocolate long john a close second. 30 0

24-7

old town’s florissant location is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. hello, christmas breakfast.

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.

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Favorite doughnut shop Old tOwN dONUtS 508 New Florissant Road, Florissant, 314.831.0907 and 3941 Mid Rivers Mall drive, Cottleville, 636.447.0907, oldtowndonuts.com

2nd: World’s Fair donuts

3rd: donut drive-In honorable mention: Ray’s donuts

more shop winners

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

Gongura (gohnGOO-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-hAna): 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-MAygee): 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 stirfry, 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-tEEuh 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 (pUrvull): 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 Gr EGO r IO ’ S M A rk E t 5200 daggett Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1062, digregoriofoods.com and Gl OBA l F OO d S M A rk E t 421 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.835.1112, globalfoods market.com

2nd: Manzo

Favorite local bread COMpANION

Various locations, companionstl.com

2nd: Black Bear Bakery

3rd: Great harvest Bread Co. honorable mention: Missouri Baking Co.

Favorite cakes and pastries

MCArthUr’S BAkEry Various locations, mcarthurs.com

2nd: helfer’s Pastries 3rd: (tie) The Cup and Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Cafe honorable mention: Sugaree Baking Co.

Favorite place to buy chocolate and candies

kAkAO ChOCOlAtE 2301 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.2310 and 7272 Manchester Road, Maplewood, 314.645.4446, kakaochocolate.com

2nd: Bissinger’s 3rd: Crown Candy Kitchen honorable mention: Merbs Candies

Sausage Kitchen & Market

3rd: Extra Virgin, An o live o vation honorable mention: Jay International Food Co.

Favorite kitchenware store

SUr lA tABlE 295 Plaza Frontenac, Frontenac, 314.993.0566, surlatable.com

2nd: Williams-Sonoma 3rd: Cornucopia honorable mention: Kitchen Conservatory

Favorite liquor store

rAN d A ll’ S

Various locations, shoprandalls.com

2nd: Lukas Liquor Superstore

3rd: Friar Tuck h onorable mention: The Wine and Cheese Place

Favorite wine shop

t h E wINE AN d

Ch EESE p l ACE

Various locations, wineandcheeseplace.com

2nd: The Wine Merchant

3rd: Randall’s h onorable mention: Saint Louis Cellars

Favorite caterer

hO lly BE rry C At E r ING

284 East Ave., Webster Groves, 314.968.9239, hollyberrycatering.com

2nd: Butler’s Pantry Catering & Events

3rd: Russo’s Catering

h onorable mention: Gourmet to Go

favorite liquor store randall’s

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

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-buttshoe.)

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

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

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.

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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.

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

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

boss: Midleton irish Whiskey.

An engagement party: veuve clicquot. or Bitch grenache (if you don’t like the girl).