Chris Andoe, Lauren Healey, Zachary Linhares, Braden McMakin, Christina Musgrave, Meera Nagarajan, Mabel Suen, Michelle Volansky
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Chris Andoe, Amanda Bretz, Lauren Healey
Sauce was founded by Allyson Mace in 1999.
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compiled carefully to ensure maximum accuracy at the time of publication, it is provided for general guidance only and is subject to change. The publisher cannot guarantee the accuracy of all information or be responsible for omissions or errors.
EDITORIAL POLICIES The Sauce Magazine mission is to provide St. Louis-area residents and visitors with unbiased, complete information on the area’s restaurant, bar and entertainment industry. Our editorial content is not influenced by who advertises with Sauce Magazine or saucemagazine.com.
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PHOTO OF ESCA BY MICHELLE VOLANSKY
Why choose one dish for our Eat This column when we can choose a platter with six different dishes? The new King Platter at King & I Thai Cuisine, available for dine-in guests only, serves four to five people and offers the chance to try a wide variety of King & I’s menu, including pot stickers, crab Rangoon, pad Thai, Thai fried rice, and two of the restaurant’s newer menu items: tamarind shrimp satay and choo chee grilled salmon. The wide spread of offerings is akin to a traditional Thai meal, offering St. Louis diners a more authentic Thai experience. The tamarind shrimp satay is our favorite dish on this platter, but all are delicious, and the platter is a great way to sample some menu items you might not have ordered otherwise.
8039 Dale Ave., Richmond Heights, 314.771.1777, kingandistl.com
DRINK THIS
We’ll admit that super-sweet cocktails aren’t our normal M.O., but something about the holidays makes us want to try new things. We were so glad to step outside our comfort zone at a recent dinner at the Train Shed at St. Louis Union Station, which hosts a holiday pop-up called the Sleigh Shed every year from mid-November to the end of the year, complete with a full list of festive, fun cocktails. Our server recommended the Santa’s Red-Eye Fix, a boozy dessert cocktail made with 1220 Spirits vodka, cold brew, heavy cream and Madagascar vanilla topped with whipped cream and what was probably an entire chocolate chip cookie crumbled on top, along with red and green sprinkles for extra festivity. It’s the perfect post-meal pick-me-up thanks to a jolt of caffeine from the cold brew, but sweet enough to absolutely count as dessert. Union Station has tons of festive fun, so be sure to check out some of their other holiday offerings while you’re there.
201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, 314.923.3949, trainshed-stl.com
THE GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING >
by Lauren Healey
Cannabis-infused edibles are no longer relegated to gummies and chocolates and, although we do still love those categories, it’s fun to see increasingly more new ways to partake in the market. All of these products contain hemp-derived THC, meaning they’re federally legal thanks to the Farm Bill of 2018 and can be shipped straight to your door. So give your loved ones the gift of relaxation and hilarity this holiday season with these editor-approved picks.
Crescent Canna
This brand has a wide range of cannabis-infused beverages, including varying flavors and levels of THC, from 6 milligrams to a whopping 50 milligrams per can. We’re partial to the Wobble Sparkling Energy Drink, which has 10 milligrams of THC and 100 milligrams of caffeine, along with the ginger lemonade flavor, which has 5 milligrams of THC and 4 milligrams of CBD for a nice entourage effect.
crescentcanna.com/thc-drinks/
Nowadays
This looks like a fancy bottle of booze, but the only intoxicant you’ll find here is THC. Available in varying doses, Nowadays has a pleasant, fruit-forward flavor that’s delicious mixed into a mocktail or taken alone as a shot. We like to pour some over ice and sip it slowly. trynowadays.com
Puffs
Have you ever had a freeze-dried edible? Us either until recently, when we tried these Puffs. Each piece of melt-in-your-mouth candy contains 7.5 milligrams of THC. We tried the strawberry creme flavor, which was quite tasty, but there’s a whole line of other flavors we’re hoping to try soon.
puffpuffcrunch.com
Hometown Hero’s Agave THC Syrup
We love the versatility of this cannabis agave syrup. One teaspoon has 5 milligrams of THC. Drizzle it on fruit, mix it in a beverage like tea or a smoothie, or take a plain spoonful of it. It’s delicious any way you try it. hometownhero.com
NEW & NOTABLE
NOTABLE
THE PAST YEAR BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN ST. LOUIS
BY SAUCE STAFF
Bormio
The St. Louis area has seen dozens of restaurant openings in the past year, many of which we have come to love. Here, we shine a light on 10 of the most notable new restaurants to join the ranks of the best in town.
AMAIZING AREPA BAR
Amaizing Arepa Bar is bringing a taste of Venezuela to downtown St. Louis. The business began at Tower Grove Farmers’ Market in 2019 as Amaizing Cakes Latin Food and opened its first brick-andmortar earlier this year. The 3,500-squarefoot space is industrial, open and airy with touches of Venezuelan décor woven throughout.
The menu features an expanded selection of what was offered at the farmers market, including the namesake arepas, empanadas, tequenos, and
cachapas, massive sweet corn pancakes that have consistently stolen our hearts. The cachapas envelop chewy, toothsome mozzarella, and are topped with salty feta (a stand-in for Venezuela’s queso llanero) and a generous drizzle of nata (Venezuelan-style milk cream) plus your choice of meat. Be sure to ask for extra sides of the deliciously verdant cilantrogarlic sauce.
500 N. 14th St., St. Louis, 314.925.8423, Facebook: amaizingarepabar
BORMIO
Though you may have known it as Bacaro, the newly rechristened Bormio is the new cicchetti and aperitivo bar sharing a building with sister concept Noto Italian Restaurant. It's decked out with Italian marble, beautiful stone-topped tables and warm lighting, and the cocktail list has a range of approachable drinks, including spritzes, cocktails, Italian beers and some NA offerings. The food menu focuses mainly on cicchetti, snack-style small plates such as whipped ricotta with ciabatta,
charcuterie and salads, but some entrees are available as well, including wild boar served with polenta. Whether you’re popping in for drinks ahead of a Noto reservation or going to Bormio just for spritzes and snacks, it is sure to be a popular destination as it brings a unique, Venetian-inspired experience like nowhere else in the St. Louis area.
5105 Westwood Drive, St. Peters, 636.244.0874, bacarostl.com
PHOTO
NAGARAJAN
Cachapa from Amaizing Arepa Bar
Bormio
BRASAS
Brasas, the new Peruvian rotisserie chicken restaurant from Jalea chef-owner Andrew Cisneros, opened this summer in the Delmar Loop. Building on the concept Cisneros (a 2021 Sauce Ones to Watch honoree) first work-shopped at Original J’s Tex-Mex and Barbecue and later during a series of pop-ups, the restaurant’s specialty is Cisneros’ take on traditional Peruvian pollo a la brasa, served with a selection of sides and sauces, with the menu also offering a few hits from Jalea and other Peruvian dishes. The variety of flavorful sauces is one of the restaurant’s strengths, and a visit to Brasas isn’t complete without trying each of them, including our favorite: the cilantroinfused aji verde.
6138 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.256.1937, brasas-stl.com
ESCA
No new restaurant opening this year has nailed concept, design, service and menu execution so completely as Esca, the “coastal Mediterranean bar and grill” from Bengelina Hospitality Group owner Ben Poremba that opened this spring in the Delmar Maker District. The dining room is among the most appealing in the city with blush pink sofas, rugs on wooden floorboards and other wood furnishings giving the space a cozy, homey feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the room in glorious natural light, while a patio on the side of the building offers additional seating.
The restaurant’s rotating menu features meat, seafood and vegetables grilled over charcoal, fresh salads and cold appetizers, and a large amaro selection. Most of the food is prepared over live fire, which demands a certain degree of expertise and control. Each dish carries a smoky kiss, but the food never feels too weighty. Don’t skip dessert, such as the brioche with whipped cream and the vegan vanilla gelato which is finished tableside with olive oil, sea salt and tahini. The cocktail list is noteworthy too, with favorites including the clay pot negroni and an almond Old-Fashioned.
5095 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.365.2686, bengelina.com/esca
The dining room at Esca
The shakshuka at Florentin
FLORENTIN
Florentin is another hit from Ben Poremba’s Bengelina Hospitality Group, which opened this summer across the street from Esca. Named after one of Poremba’s favorite areas of Tel Aviv, Florentin draws inspiration from that neighborhood’s bohemian culture and vibrant food and drink scene.
If you’re looking for a hot brunch dish, the shakshuka here is a satisfying and richly spiced blend of poached eggs and tomato-based sauce, aided by Florentin’s warm, spongy pita bread. The menu offers multiple options for sharing, like the irresistible dip trio (mohammara, green tahini and tzatziki), along with a selection of toasts, overnight oats, hummus, plenty of fresh juices and all the coffee you could want. The sorbets are a perfect sweet finish – we loved the coconut and mango flavors.
5090 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.348.1111, bengelina.com/florentin
Florentin’s interior
The dip trio
Jinzen Fusion Cuisine
JINZEN FUSION CUISINE
The first thing that captures your attention at Jinzen Fusion Cuisine is the lovely interior design of the space. A predominantly light wooden interior and soft, golden light evokes an Asian design aesthetic with wood beams crafted into intricate patterns throughout. The furniture carries the same tones, and the main dining area has beams overhead with a fabric ceiling treatment to add visual interest. Cherry blossoms, a rock garden, bamboo and bonsai bring in an element of calm – it doesn’t matter that they’re artificial, it all works to set the mood.
The menu is a collaboration of dishes from China, Korea and Japan, with highlights including naengmyeon, a traditional Korean cold noodle soup, and the Volcano Fried Rice with fried kung
pao chicken. There are crowd-pleasers like the bibimbap, black pepper garlic steak bites and squid karaage, as well as various ramen options. Mix and match the cuisines however you please, but don’t miss out on the luscious, creamy matcha pudding.
Neon Greens is not just a restaurant – it’s also a hydroponic farm in the Grove where all of the various types of lettuce used in the many salads on the menu are grown. A conveyor belt allows the greens to easily be transported from the farm to the kitchen.
There are several signature salads always available, plus a few rotating seasonal salads
on the menu, but you can also have your meal customized in an assembly line with an impressive variety of interesting cooked and pickled veggies, grains and more.
So far, we’ve most enjoyed the chilled curry salad and The Chouteau, a Southwestern-inspired delight. A few soup offerings also rotate, but our favorite is the green soup, a riff on tom kha gai with coconut cream and freshly picked herbs. Don’t miss the chewy cheese bread, inspired by Brazilian pão de queijo. For dessert, there is soft serve in matcha or Thai basil flavors – go all out and order it swirled with The Works: miso caramel, sesame nougatine, candied smoked almonds and brown rice crunchies, all lending depth and textural juxtaposition.
4176 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, neongreens.com
Neon Greens’ Josh Smith
NO ORDINARY RABBIT
The former Nixta space in Botanical Heights is now home to one of the most happening cocktail and wine bars in town: No Ordinary Rabbit. On the food side, they feature chef-driven, shareable Mediterranean plates, thoughtfully and artfully prepared. The house-made fry bread is the star of the show, where a crisp exterior reveals a soft and pillowy interior with just a touch of sweetness. It pairs perfectly with the butternut squash hummus, but it could be a vehicle for just about anything on the menu. There’s a sizable wine list, but it’s the cocktails that have us wanting to return again and again. The menus are ever-evolving, so you’ll have to go find out for yourself what all the buzz is about.
1621 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, noordinaryrabbitstl.com
STEWS FOOD & LIQUOR
The laid-back, friendly vibe at Stews Food & Liquor is immediately contagious, thanks to co-owner and bartender Nate Burrows’ bright personality and knack for hospitality. The small space is cozy with alternating forest green walls and classic Soulard brick, glowy candles and intimate seating.
From cheap lagers to craft brews, well-made classics to fresh new cocktails, the concise drink menu has something for everyone. Come with an appetite, because the eclectic Asian fusion food menu is not to be missed. An order of edamame “hummus” for the table is mandatory. There’s also a respectable roster of hearty mains; noodle dishes, savory grilled skewers, a decadent pork burger with sweet chile and Kewpie mayo, and popcorn chicken with an assortment of sauces to choose from.
1862 S. 10th St., St. Louis, stewsstl.com
No Ordinary Rabbit
Stews Food & Liquor
TELVA AT THE RIDGE
The new counter-service restaurant from the Balkan Treat Box team is housed in the same building as Rolling Ridge Nursery with its own suitably plantfilled space. Start with the wood-fired Bosnian coffee, an intensely flavored brew resulting from boiling coffee grounds in small copper pots. Espresso drinks are also available, including the chocolate- and coconut-accented cupavac latte.
On the don’t-miss list is the cilbir, Telva’s take on Turkish eggs: Warm garlic yogurt and gently cooked eggs make for a rich base, a tomato-chile brown butter sauce adds a little acid for
balance, and a flurry of herbs provides a fresh finish. The avocado toast was similarly layered with flavor, from thin ribbons of cucumber, roasted tomato, kalamata olives and avocado to salty feta, tzatziki and a nutty sesame crunch garnish. Telva also impresses with deft pastry offerings like the pistachio shortbread cookie and the unforgettable baklava, generously packed with roasted nuts, flaky pastry dough and ajda, a sweet Bosnian syrup.
60 N. Gore Ave., Webster Groves, 314.395.2760, telvastl.com
This 100 proof spirit was sweet mashed, batched distilled, and follows the grain bill we normally use for our popular bourbon with 63% corn, 25% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Aged for at least four years in Missouri white oak, the extended contact of the barrel creates a nose of citrus and vanilla along with our traditional tasting notes of warm citrus, honey, and cornbread. Enjoy this smooth sipper straight, or use it to elevate your favorite cocktail.
switchgrassspirits.com/spirits
ST.
HERBARIA
Detergent liquid soaps commonly contain sodium laureth sulfate (or SLS) and fragrances, known irritants, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Rub the Sink Side Soap Block with your fingers to wash your hands, or wipe it with a kitchen sponge, luffa, or scrub brush to clean almost anything. Sink Side Soap Block removes grease, dirt, and germs and rinses off quickly.
herbariasoap.com
JAMES WINERY PROJECT 1970
Project 1970, part of the Explorer Collection, celebrates St. James Winery’s over 50-year legacy of winemaking. This dry red blend features blackberry, cherry, oak, and toast aromas with gentle tannins and flavors of vanilla, plum, and chocolate. Warm dark fruits and a rich, elegant finish make this wine truly remarkable.
stjameswinery.com
MOUNT PLEASANT ESTATES TAWNY PORT VOL.XXIII
A fortified wine full of decadent flavors like caramel, hazelnut, orange, and a hint of spice. With 97 Points, a Gold Medal, and Best in Show by Country at the London Wine Competition - it's a great gift for both loved ones and that person on the list you need to impress.
MountPleasant.com
GIFT GUIDE
DEFIANCE RIDGE VINEYARDS GIFT CARD OR WINE CLUB MEMBERSHIP
The perfect gift for the wine lover in your life. We offer two different club memberships, which include complimentary wine pours for you and your guests each visit and 20% off food, beverages, and events, such as our monthly 5-course Farmhouse Dinners. Defiance Ridge is open year-round, 7 days a week.
defianceridge.com
DEFIANCE RIDGE VINEYARDS KATY TRAMINETTE
Winner of "Best Dry White Wine" in the 2024 Missouri Wine Competition. This vintage and style is the perfect wine for the holidays and works wonders for food pairings as it is exceptionally versatile. Named after the Historic Katy Trail, which is directly across from our property.
defianceridge.com
ST. JAMES WINERY CRANBERRY
Celebrate the season with St. James Winery’s Cranberry Wine! Crafted with 100% natural cranberry juice and no artificial additives, this seasonal best-seller is sweet yet tart, with vibrant cranberry flavors, aromas, and colors. Perfect for the holidays, it appeals to both sweet and dry wine lovers.
stjameswinery.com
THE GIFT OF A GOOD TIME!
Gift cards available in any amount to Augusta Winery, Balducci Vineyards, Montelle Winery, and Mount Pleasant Estates. Gift one or gift them all for a ‘tasting tour’ through Augusta, MO. Visit the wineries to purchase or give them a call! Cards can be mailed to you or the gift recipient.
Visitaugustamo.com
FESTIVE
AF
CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT THESE HOLIDAY-THEMED EXPERIENCES
BY AMANDA BRETZ
There’s nothing like a good cocktail,
some festive decor and glowing lights to get you into the spirit of the holidays. Luckily, there are no shortage of holiday themed pop-up bars and events to visit this year, each putting their own unique twist on the season. With venues embracing tropical-inspired décor, vintage, kitschy Christmas vibes, and themes centered around outdoor winter activities, there’s an experience perfect for just about everyone this year.
HOLIDAY LODGE at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
New this season, guests can immerse themselves in the cozy Holiday Lodge, a festive lounge decked out to imbue the warm glow of a snowy mountain retreat, at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. A forest of twinkling trees makes a picture-perfect backdrop while boughs of merry trimmings
make things bright. Guests can tuck in and indulge in a festive menu featuring a selection of Insta-worthy holiday cocktails and deliciously shareable nibbles. This themed pop-up experience is open daily from 4 to 11 p.m. through Dec. 31. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made on Open Table.
999 N. Second St., St. Louis, fourseasons. com/stlouis
LIT at Molly’s
Molly’s in Soulard is hosting its annual holiday pop-up, called Lit at Molly’s, happening Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m. until Dec. 23. This immersive experience includes Christmas lights and decor, music, costumes, themed photo ops and a Christmas-themed menu. Reservations required. Tickets available online.
816 Geyer Ave., St. Louis, 314.241.6200, mollysinsoulard.com
TINSEL TAVERN at Ballpark Village
Tinsel Tavern returns again this year, but with a tropical twist. Tinsel Tavern at Shark Bar is running until Dec. 28, with the holiday-themed pop-up featuring decor,
Last Christmas at Bling
cheery cocktails and photo ops, all set in a beachy atmosphere. Prices vary. Reservations available online.
601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314.797.7530, stlballparkvillage.com
SIPPIN’ SANTA at Planter’s House
This popular holiday pop-up bar features tiki-inspired holiday cocktails and food. This event runs until Dec. 29 and is known to sell out quickly. Walk-ins are welcome and are on a first-come, first-served basis, but reservations are recommended in order to gain the full pop-up experience. A portion of reservation fees proceeds benefit St. Louis Community Foundation. Reservations available online.
1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, drinkchristmas.com
MIRACLE at Small Change
Now in its ninth year, Miracle is a Christmasthemed pop-up cocktail bar that keeps guests returning to get a taste of its kitschy holiday décor and festive drinks. The experience runs until Dec. 29. Reservations are released in two phases; however, walk-ins are encouraged and the team has dedicated space so that walk-in guests can experience the magic of this pop-up. Miracle is donating the proceeds of reservation fees to Santa’s Helpers, which has been the event’s charity partner every year. Reservations available online.
2800 Indiana Ave., St. Louis, drinkchristmas.com
TOASTED CHESTNUT
at Public School House
Back again this season, Toasted Chestnut in Cottleville is a celebration featuring holiday-themed drinks and appetizers and desserts by Sugarfire Smoke House and a walk-through outdoor winter light display. Private heated igloos are also available. The event runs until New Year’s Eve, and tickets are selling quickly. This year the venue has added a heated tent on the back patio, where
guests can enjoy a cocktail and the light walk without making a reservation. Tickets available online.
West County’s holiday pop-up bar, Bling, at the lower level of The Wolf Café Taproom & Cocktail Lounge, returns again this year and runs until Dec. 28. Guests can enjoy a selection of craft beers, along with eight holiday-themed cocktails all set against the backdrop of festive holiday decor. Tickets available online.
Winterfest returns to downtown St. Louis for its ninth year. The event runs until New Year’s Eve and features ice skating, cozy igloos, holiday lights and other festivities throughout the event. New this year is The Lodge at Winterfest, a holiday pop-up located across Seventh Street from Kiener Plaza. The curated menu features seasonal cocktails and small bites in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
500 Chestnut St., St. Louis, archpark.org/events/winterfest
POLAR PATIO at Side Project Brewing
Side Project Brewing and Pizza Champ are joining up for a holiday-themed pop-up bar called Polar Patio Pop-Up, which runs through the end of the year. Stay cozy in the tented and heated patio that’s full of holiday cheer and festive decor. Choose from four specialty seasonal cocktails and winter beer selections, along with pizza from Pizza Champ. This family-friendly pop-up features crafts like snowflake decorating and holiday card-making, as well as an appearance by Santa Claus from 3 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 14. No reservations are required for this pop-up bar.
2657 Lyle Ave., Maplewood, sideprojectbrewing.com
FROZEN IN TIME
The WITTMOND HOTEL’s restaurant is worth the trek to Brussels, Illinois
BY CHRIS ANDOE
Ifirst heard about the Wittmond Hotel more than two decades ago, during one of those Monday morning “What did you do this weekend?” office conversations. A coworker described his scenic journey along the Great River Road, which – just west of Alton – skirts towering limestone bluffs along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. He told me about taking the Brussels Ferry to Calhoun County, a place he said was frozen in time, and which he described as having the feel of an island because it’s surrounded by rivers but is actually a long peninsula. He spoke of the county’s gentle rolling hills, abundant apple and peach orchards, farm stands, and then of a historic hotel which reminded him of visiting old relatives’ houses as a child,
complete with lace curtains and sloped floors. “You sit down and they just bring you food, which they serve family-style,” he had said.
I was so intrigued that I made the trek myself the very next weekend. Since then, whenever I want to showcase the beauty of our region, I take guests on that same journey and am greeted by many of the same friendly faces each time.
Owner Charles Burch, 78, has been working at the restaurant since he was 9. He said his great-grandparents built the first part of the Wittmond, which was a mercantile with their home above, upon immigrating from Germany in 1847. “It was the first building with indoor
plumbing in Calhoun,” he boasts. The walls are filled with historic photos of relatives, many of whom were born and died in the hotel. Charles shows me a photo of his grandfather, which is on display in the antique store. “See that lamp he’s standing beneath? It’s still there.”
By the 1890s, the upstairs had been converted to a hotel. “And that’s how the restaurant started: they needed to feed the guests,” Burch said. “You never knew what people wanted to eat, so you just had a bit of everything.”
The locally sourced, all-you-care-to-eat menu has hardly changed since. The first course consists of corn relish, beets, apple
The route to the Wittmond Hotel is like a calendar come to life
sauce, apple cider vinegar coleslaw, peach marmalade, rolls, and what many consider to be the world’s best sausage.
The main course includes succulent fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans and optional roast beef. If you somehow save room after all that, the Wittmond offers a variety of cobblers and cheesecake.
From downtown St. Louis, the drive takes about an hour, but getting there is part of the experience and is not something you’ll want to rush. Make a day of it while enjoying the bald eagles, foliage and the charming towns along the way. It will be an experience you’ll want to share. The Wittmond is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and only accepts cash or check.
166 E. Main St., Brussels, Illinois, 618.883.2345, Facebook: Wittmond Hotel
Charles Burch greets guests
stuff to do DECEMBER
BY AMANDA BRETZ
Ice Skating at Forest Park
Through Dec. 31, Steinberg Skating Rink, 400 Jefferson Drive, St. Louis, steinbergrink.com
Take a spin on the ice at Forest Park’s outdoor rink, Steinberg Skating Rink. Bring your own ice skates or take advantage of the rink’s on-site skate rental. Tickets available online.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Through Dec. 30 – St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, stlpolarexpressride.com
Throughout December, visit St. Louis Union Station to experience a train ride full of holiday magic. Take a ride that will deliver passengers to the North Pole as well as interact with characters from The Polar Express and Santa and his elves. Ticket prices vary. Tickets available online or by phone at 314.942.6942.
Brewery Lights
Through Dec. 30, Anheuser-Busch, 1200 Lynch St., St. Louis, budweisertours.com/stltours
All month long you can take a tour of the more than one million holiday lights adorning the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery. This annual event is back for its 39th year, and experiences range from the light tour to fire pit rental packages and s’mores kits. Tickets available online.
Pancakes with Santa
Dec. 7, 8, 14, 15 21, 22 – St. Louis Union Station, 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, stlpolarexpressride.com/pancakes-with-santa
Every Saturday and Sunday in December, guests have an opportunity to eat breakfast with jolly ol’ Saint Nick in Union Station’s Grand Hall. Guests will enjoy pancakes topped with strawberries in the shape of a hat and a whipped cream Santa Claus face. Pancakes with Santa
is an event that requires reservations, with two seatings each day.
Dickens Pop-Up Dinner
Dec. 5 & 12 – Eckert’s Farm, 951 S. Green Mount Road, Belleville, eckerts.com
Head to Eckert’s Belleville farm to experience a Dickensthemed pop-up dinner. The events will feature an elegant and unique dining experience inspired by classic English fare. Tickets available online.
The town of Kimmswick is having a Christmas Festival Dec. 6 to 8. Take in the sights of historic buildings decked out in
holiday decorations and lights, listen to carolers, meet Santa and visit local merchants, who will have extended hours for holiday shopping during the festival. Free admission.
Voodoo Christmas
Dec. 15 – 1 to 4 p.m., 4 Hands Brewing Co., 1220 S. Eighth St., St. Louis, swadecannabis.com
Swade Cannabis is hosting a first-of-its-kind holiday event in St. Louis at 4 Hands Brewing Co. The experience includes live music from Sean Canan’s Voodoo Players, a jam-band style group celebrating a wide variety of artists, and holiday shopping from local vendors specializing in vintage clothing, handblown glassware, screen prints, jewelry and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to take pictures with one of St. Louis’ hospitality heroes, “Sumpta Santa,” Sump Coffee’s owner Scott Carey dressed
as Santa Claus. Free admission.
Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tours
Dec. 15 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., multiple locations in Lafayette Square, lafayettesquare.org
This ticketed event grants access to self-guided tours of 11 homes, as well as carriage rides in the park, trolley stops around the neighborhood and shopping at the Lafayette Square Holiday Market. Tickets available online.
Madrina will host a traditional Italian-American meal called Feast of the Seven Fishes. This traditional meal is prepared
for the Christmas holiday and Madrina’s chef Max Crask has developed a seafood menu that includes octopus carpaccio, lobster cioppino, whole-roasted fresh catch acqua pazza and more. In addition, advanced sommelier Alisha Blackwell-Calvert will curate optional wine pairings. Reservations are required and can be made online until Dec. 19.
Museum of Illusions
City Foundry STL, 3730 Foundry Way, Suite 168, St. Louis, 314.300.7147, moistlouis.com
Grab dinner and drinks at City Foundry STL’s food hall then head over to the Museum of Illusions. Exhibits include perspective-shifting rooms, along with images and installations that teach visitors that not everything is as it seems. Ticket available online or in person.
FRAZER’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
BY AMANDA BRETZ
What started just over three decades ago as a lunch and dinner spot offering meals for nearby brewery workers has evolved into a place to enjoy dinner and a cocktail. Frazer’s Restaurant and Lounge in Benton Park has become a staple not only for the neighborhood, but for the city.
In 1992, chef and proprietor Frazer Cameron opened the restaurant, which was originally called Frazer’s Traveling Brown Bag. During those early days, Cameron served both lunch and dinner
at his restaurant, although the bulk of his business in the very beginning came from lunch to-go orders for workers at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Over the years, the eatery has grown, both in terms of space, with Cameron renovating the original restaurant when previous tenants next door moved out, and in the establishment’s offerings. Although the space, name and menu has changed throughout the years, some of the eatery’s signature items remain, along with the owner’s commitment to offer
guests a good meal.
Cameron grew up on the West Coast and started working in restaurants as a teen and held several positions within the industry prior to opening Frazer’s. After moving around for work, he settled in St. Louis and started to think about his future.
“I felt I had a transient lifestyle, and that’s OK when you’re young, but you can’t really look forward to much of a future when you’re living like that,” he recalled.
Cameron knew he wouldn’t be able to create the kind of life he wanted without making some kind of change, so he made a deal with himself: If he didn’t open a restaurant by the time he was 40, he’d explore returning to college to gain the skills needed to move into a different industry.
As it would turn out, expanding his education wouldn’t be the way he’d get the change he was looking to create. When he saw that the previous restaurant tenant had went out of business, he put
his plan in motion and Frazer’s moved in. By the time everything was finalized and the eatery opened, Cameron had accomplished his goal of working for himself and opened the restaurant’s doors just before his 41st birthday.
“I had a lot of blue-plate specials in the beginning,” he said of the menu.
When he was getting started, the food selections would largely rotate based on a list of specials that Cameron would work through, and over time, he returned to the items his customers really liked. Although not everything has carried over from those early days, there are dishes that have retained their popularity throughout the years.
One such item is salmon Frazer, a dish that Cameron said some regulars order
every time they visit the restaurant. The dish combines a baked salmon fillet topped with horseradish, chopped pecans and breadcrumbs, served atop Dijon mustard cream sauce, and a side of red beans and rice.
The meatloaf, which is a recipe that has evolved over time, is still as popular now as it was 30 years ago. Other selections that customers love to order are any of the rotating pasta specials and cioppino, a seafood stew made with mussels, clams, shrimp, fresh fish and squid, all simmered together in a rich tomato broth, red wine and seasonings.
For dessert, the menu includes creme brulee, a flourless chocolate torte and key lime pie, and the latter is a customer favorite.
And since a beverage can only make an already delicious meal that much more enjoyable, Frazer’s offers an eclectic cocktail program, led by bar manager Terry Oliver, who Cameron calls the “creative force” behind the drink menu. The list ranges from takes on classics to inventive beverages, however, the Who Goes There may be the drink the eatery is best known for, perhaps because the cocktail is delivered with a theatrical presentation. If you order it, expect your server to walk through the establishment wrapped in a cloak, carrying a wooden walking staff, along with the drink, which is nestled inside an antique-style lantern, all while calling out “Who goes there?” as they make their way toward you.
“The cocktail program is unique and original and offers drinks that are more
like what you would find in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles,” Cameron said.
Even though the restaurant offers fine dining cuisine, its environment can be described as casual, and the establishment welcomes guests in attire ranging from black tie to shorts. The goal is to provide each guest with attentive service in an inviting atmosphere that features an aesthetic that is filled with warm lighting, exposed brick and wood accents.
“I want people to feel really good when they leave my restaurant,” Cameron said. “I want people to feel at home, like they’re coming to my house.” 1811 Pestalozzi St.,
