Arts & Entertainment

Oktoberfest cruise), and best of all, they all include access to the breezy rooftop where you can get away from breathing the same air as your fellow passengers. JAIME LEES

BEST LIVESTREAM (MUSIC)

Fresh Produce Beat Battle Music livestreams can fall kind o flat. he problem lies mostly in the lack of atmosphere that you get compared to when you attend a live show in person — the simple fact is, watching a concert on a screen is never going to compare to standing shoulder-toshoulder in a sweaty crowd belting out the lyrics to your favorite song with a small army of strangers. But St. Louis’ Fresh Produce Beat Battle has an ace in the hole: an element of competition.

By pitting producers from across the nation against one another in a bracket-style tournament, with cash prizes and bragging rights on the line, the long-running event keeps things shockingly lively even as it’s gone

When life keeps you home, go twice as hard: Fresh Produce works from home. | LINCOLN JAMES

digital. And the event brings topnotch production values too, utilizing Zoom and OBS Studio to keep the competitors on screen while their work still sounds stellar. Perhaps best of all, the competition has moved from being a monthly affair to a biweekly one, offering up twice the escape from

the drudgery that is life in 2020. Frankly, with live music on life support, many sports canceled outright and the iterations of each that remain limping along at best, findin somethin worth rooting for is a win unto itself. Let us give thanks for the bounty that is Fresh Produce. DANIEL HILL

BEST LIVESTREAM (THEATER) The St. Louis Black Repertory Company

6662 Olive Boulevard, University City; 314-534-3810

Closed theaters have been one of the ongoing tragedies of the pandemic. We tend to think of it only in terms of lost shows, glossing over all the people out of work and the ripple effect on supporting businesses. As they all try to hang on, they’ve had to scramble to find new ways to connect. hats meant livestreams, replays of recorded shows and video interviews for theater companies across the nation. he lac ep has taken a particularly proactive approach, not only to the shutdowns but societal problems. In early October, the company streamed live performances of Fannie Lou Hamer: Speak On It. he perormances werent in empty theaters, but parking lots as part of voter drives in partnership with St. Louis activist groups. homasina lares powerul performance as the famed civil rights

Mural Mile showcases St. Louis grati talent in an ever-changing masterpiece. | DANIEL HILL

activist, accompanied by guitarist Dennis Brock, was both a lure to bring people out and the message to show them why it matters. DOYLE MURPHY

BEST RECORDING STUDIO Firebrand Recording

11708 Lackland Industrial Drive, Maryland Heights; 314-780-0493

The live entertainment industry may have ground to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that’s not going to stop musicians from making music — thank fucking god. And while we’re giving thanks, we should spare some gratitude for the recording studios that help get that new music to our ears. n this specific case, we’re grateful for Firebrand Recording and its magician behind the control panel, Brian Scheffer. Nestled in an industrial park in Maryland Heights, Scheffer has assembled an utterly gobsmacking array of equipment that would make any musician who is serious about their craft drool a puddle large enough to endanger said equipment. And it’s not just the recording gear itself; Firebrand also has an array of top-notch guitars and drums and amplifiers and the lie available for use by those who are laying down tracks — meaning even the best garage band with the worst gear can walk in empty-handed and lay down a stellar recording using only what’s on hand. (But don’t get any big ideas, gear thieves: In addition to its stateof-the-art security system, Firebrand is also protected by its studio dog, Roscoe, who will eat you alive just for a well-deserved snack.) All that would be for naught, though, if not for the skill of Scheffer himself, a master engineer with an ear for detail and the patience of a saint. In all, it’s why Firebrand has become the go-to spot for many of St. Louis’ best bands — celebrated metal act The Lion’s Daughter even laid down some tracks during this hell summer, under the watchful eye of a naked Lita Ford on a poster they brought from home. Firebrand’s got great gear, sure, but sometimes you just need that personal touch. DANIEL HILL

BEST PLACE TO SEE ART IN PERSON Mural Mile

The case could be made that St. Louis’ “Mural Mile” — a.k.a. the ratied stretch o flood wall at Chouteau Avenue and S Leonor K Sullivan Boulevard — is, in any year, one of the city’s best places to see art in person. It is international in scope, bringing hundreds of artists from all around the world for the annual Paint Louis event, resulting in eye-popping street art murals at a scale that is unmatched by just about anything in the world. But in this, the year of our COVID-related discontent, the Mural Mile takes the cake for an additional reason — it’s outside. Being outdoors is decidedly less likely to result in illness than being in a building, and there are certainly worse ways to spend your time in a pandemic than taking a peaceful walk along a river. And though this year’s Paint Louis

event was canceled due to coronavirus concerns, rati is by its very nature a orm o artistic e pression that evolves over time, as artists constantly paint over one anothers wor. n other words, i you attended aint ouis in , there is no chance that what youll see at this point is eactly the same as it was then. nd in , any change is good. DANIEL HILL

BEST VARIETY SHOW Drinks with the Band

www.facebook.com/ weareliveradio

ombine reat music, a little comedy, interviews with interestin people and alcohol, and youve got Drinks With the Band. The St. ouisbased show live streams at p.m. on ednesday nihts with host hris enman marshallin a small and chanin cast o characters or an evenin hanout. ather than bemoan the remote, oom conerence state o the world, enman o the e re ive show has used it to his (and as a result, our advantae to beam in perormers rom around the country who have etra time these days. Along with the conversations and live solo perormances, the show reularly eatures bartenders and eperts o the liuor world who oer tutorials on a uarantine coctail” o the wee. rin in hand, with a live show to enoy, we can all enoy a virtual happy hour toether rom our own homes. DOYLE MURPHY

BEST COMEDIAN Nikki Glaser

t. ouis native ii laser came bac home durin the pandemic, and shes been main the most o her time. n uly, she was the uest host o Jimmy Kimmel Live, runnin throuh the diculties o datin and her, uh, solo love lie while isolatin at her parents place. e should mention that her parents were riht there or this, servin as the shows musical uests or the evenin. laser has done everythin rom standup comedy to actin to hosting television and radio shows. She even had her own show, Not Safe with Nikki Glaser, on omedy entral in . he show aired or one season and was twenty episodes lon. laser started perormin standup comedy at eihteen and went on to host multiple podcasts and radio shows since . nd, yes, well answer your most pressin uestion laser raduated rom ir wood High School. MATT WOODS

BEST ART GALLERY Philip Slein Gallery

4735 McPherson Avenue, 314-361-2617 ever there was a time to stare into a wor o art and pule out the world, we’re in it now. The act that it has been dicult to accomplish durin the pandemic has been one o the wiced twists o . ut it is not impossible to et the fi we need. ter a temporary shutdown this sprin, the hilip lein allery is amon the arts spaces that have reopened with saety measures in place. champion o bold contemporaries, the entral est nd allery is a mainstay in the t. ouis art world, brinin the wors o emer in and biname artists to the city. he current ehibit eatures paintins by acie accoccio, va undsaer, oanne reenbaum, eltie erris and ndrea ela. he artists, mostly based in ew or ity, divere in styles, but you can epect bi colors that can be, at times, soarin and disconcertin, which seems about riht or the current times. DOYLE MURPHY

BEST COMIC BOOK STORE Apotheosis Comics & Lounge

3206 South Grand Boulevard, 314-802-7090

ven in prepandemic times, the incorporation o alcohol into the business model o potheosis omics oune was a stroe o enius. ut here in the nihtmare that is , its nothin short o a odsend especially considering the shop has gotten into the curbside ame. hose who wish to peruse the bountiul racs are still ree to do so mass on, o course but those who are still wary o wanderin into buildins while an airborne virus terrories all o otham can mae use o the shops taeout window. ust visit apotheosiscomicsstl.com, place your order, set it to pickup and then ring the bell on the ront door. oon an employee will deliver your raphic novels and, i youre lie us, malted beveraes saely throuh a pidermanthemed openin in the door its that simple nd

A Late Summer Night’s Stroll was like stepping into Shakespeare’s imagination. | NICHOLAS COULTER

it’s much needed. In these trying times what we crave are heroes — Batman, the X-Men, Superman, sure — but just as crucially, that hero whose name is spelled A-P-OT-H-E-O-S-I-S. DANIEL HILL

BEST PIVOT St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s A Late Summer Night’s Stroll

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked absolute havoc on the live entertainment industry, as crowds are discouraged, singing and thereby flinin respiratory droplets and aerosols everywhere) is problematic and even the simple act of gathering with others to rehearse a performance could quickly become a superspreading event. But great artists are nothing if not adaptable. Take the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s inspired decision to pivot from their planned mainstage production of Much Ado About Nothing into a literal walk in the park. Dubbed “A Late Summer Night’s Stroll,” the group’s loose interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was brought to life in August in Forest Park, with fourteen elaborately decorated archways throughout the grounds serving as the setting for vignettes and scenes staged by a plethora of local performing artists. A self-guided tour through the numbered arches allowed the story to unfold piece by piece — and, crucially, allowed performers and attendees alike to enjoy a show in a safe setting. It was a vast undertaking that relied on the talents of dozens of St. Louis’ finest artists and, critically, on their ability to create even when that act itself requires getting a bit creative. DANIEL HILL

BEST SURPRISE Red and Black Brass Band

www.facebook.com/- redandblackbrassband

In these dark days, many of us haven’t been able to conjure up a smile for weeks at a time. But all of that changes when the Red and Black Brass Band comes strolling into your neighborhood. The New Orleans-style brass band has taken to the streets during the pandemic to get people out of their houses and enjoying life. They just arrive unannounced around town and walk the neighborhoods playing classic songs that everybody knows (“Lovely Day,” “Little Liza Jane,” “When the Saints Go Marching In”) to the thrill and surprise of onlookers. It goes like this: You’ll just be chilling in your house and then start to hear the faint bursts of a tuba in the distance. After a minute or so, you realize that somebody outside is playing “Stand By Me” so you head outside to investigate. By the time you get out there, you and all of your neighbors are standing on your porches cheering the band as they come through. After this, the entire street is transformed from solitary neighbors to a community of people all experiencing the same joy. If you’re lucky enough to have the band come to your neighborhood, take the opportunity to show them some love right back. You can tip them on Venmo, PayPal or the Cash App. JAIME LEES

FOOD & DRINK BEST OF ST. LOUISFood & Drink

If there is one thing this terrible pandemic has taught us — besides the fact that our president* is a semi-sentient garbage fire — it’s how much dining out means to us. A once joyful activity, the simple act of sitting in a restaurant and feeling the passion of those who bring the dining experience to life seems like a beautiful memory that we wonder whether we will get to relive.

Times are fraught, uncertain and downright sad in the world as a whole; the restaurant industry is at the center of such sentiment, having been impacted terribly since March by the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, it feels odd to celebrate anything, especially when balancing the notion of wanting to help an industry in serious trouble against the reality that, to curb the spread of this terrible virus, perhaps dining out is not the best thing to do.

This balance has guided our coverage of the St Louis food scene over the past seven-plus months, and it’s in the front of our minds as we put together the 2020 Best of St. Louis Food and Drink. We’ve chosen to view this issue as a celebration of the bright spots in an otherwise dark time, and, happily, it wasn’t hard to find them. owever, or every winner, we asked ourselves a series of questions: Do we feel comfortable that the establishment is doing its best to navigate the health and safety challenges the pandemic presents for both its patrons and staff? Would we feel safe patronizing the winner? Do we think that the winner grasps the gravity of the current situation and understands the shifted dining landscape in such a way that it informs every decision they make?

There is a pall over this year’s Best of St. Louis, for sure, but there’s also a joy in watching the unbreakable spirits of each and every one of these winners as they refuse to give up, no matter how dicult the times. hat we can still have such moments of joy courtesy of their dedication is the hope we need to get us through. CHERYL BAEHR

BEST DELI Al-Tarboush Deli

602 Westgate Avenue, University City; 314-725-1944 In a former life, Sleiman “Sam” Bathani was the lead singer of a touring group in Lebanon, and then the war broke out and he and his family immigrated to the United States. Four decades later, he’s still making beautiful music, though this time it’s in the kitchen as the patriarch of the Loop mainstay Al-Tarboush Deli. For twenty years, this unassuming storefront has served as the epicenter of the city’s best eastern Mediterranean food, served with a side of Bathani’s warm, welcoming smile that makes everyone feel like a regular. Of course, Bathani isn’t the only one who is smiling at Al-Tarboush; after noshing on the deli’s chicken shawarma with an extra side of garlic puree, how can you not be grinning from ear to ear? CHERYL BAEHR

BEST BARBECUE The Stellar Hog

5623 Leona Street, 314-481-8448

For eight-plus decades, Super’s Bungalow existed as a battletested example of the neighborhood bar. But it wasn’t until 2016 that we realized it was missing a world-class barbecue spot to be truly great. Chef-owner Alex Cupp trained in the art of smoked meats under St. Louis barbecue godfathers Mike Emerson and Skip Steele of Pappy’s fame after he bolted rom the world o fine dining and resurfaced at Adam’s Smokehouse. Reborn a pitmaster, he now turns out some of the finest briset youll ever eat. Add pulled pork, a killer burger and excellent sides, including an always-worth-it seasonal vegetable, and you’ve got a menu packed with amazing options. Cupp gave the Bevo bar a light facelift, adding some (inter)stellar decor, after taking over, but it still maintains its bone structure as a neighborhood dive. As a bonus, the former farmhouse has a huge backyard with covered picnic tables and plenty of space for the tastiest social distancing around. DOYLE MURPHY

BEST BRUNCH BEAST Butcher & Block

4156 Manchester Avenue, 314-944-6003

David and Meggan Sandusky don’t do anything small, so it’s no surprise that the brunch at their Grove smokehouse, BEAST Butcher & Block, is an embarrassment of riches. Originally envisioned as a buffet experience set up in the restaurants livefire venue, the Skullery, the Sanduskys have reconfiured thins or outdoor table service or takeout without sacrificin the indulence. House-cured salmon, housemade sausages, made-from-scratch biscuits and omelets cooked over the open fire are the best versions o brunch fare you’ve experienced; seriously, you’ll question whether you’ve ever really had bacon once you get a bite of BEAST’s. The restaurant’s secret weapon is chef Ryan McDonald, whose thoughtful dishes, such as a peach and lonza tartine, give an elegant touch to this incredible spread. In an ideal world, you’d be able to go in for thirds and fourths of this manificent dish thans, COVID. CHERYL BAEHR

BEST BURGER Mac’s Local Eats

1821 Cherokee Street, 314-393-7713 The crazy thing at Mac’s is you’ve got multiple contenders for St. Louis’ best burger. Do you go for the dry-aged beef or freshground pork? One of each? Do

you order your burger classically adorned with ketchup, mustard, pickles and American cheese or loaded up with made-fromscratch aioli, Pimento cheese or even a fried green tomato? All the burger options come smashed pleasingly thin, the crinkly edges grill charred and perfect. And that hasn’t changed even as Mac’s has moved across town to a spot inside Bluewood Brewing Company from its Dogtown origins, continuing on even in the curbside-delivery era. Proprietor Chris “Mac” McKenzie’s not-so-secret advantage has always been his connection to the best-available meats, established while operating his CSA Mac’s Local Buys. But he also knows what to do with those prized ingredients, making the argument for local sourcing through the example of delicious burgers, not table-side soliloquies. Pile those patties up to four high (maybe a little much, but do it your way) and wash them down with a beer. Any of the burgers you choose will be amazing, but we’re picking favorites, so here’s the order: the Dirty Sancho — two pork patties, pepper jack cheese, Bourbon molasses, pickled jalapeños and Mac’s negra aioli. It’s just irreverent enough to disarm you, while delivering an unforgettable combination of flavors sort o lie acs itsel. DOYLE MURPHY

BEST CHEF John Perkins

When the full extent of what the COVID-19 pandemic was going to do to the St. Louis restaurant community became apparent mid-March, many stepped up to help lead their distraught industry colleagues. Gerard Craft got a crash course in legislative politics, advocating at the national level for the C.A.R.E.S. Act and Paycheck Protection Program. Jason and Adam Tilford led the fiht to chane issouri law to allow for to-go cocktails. Michael and Tara Gallina are currently lending their voice to pressure lawmakers to pass a restaurant relief act, and numerous others have simply been bringers of hope with their steady leadership and the way they’ve been taking care of their employees. From this group, Juniper’s John Perkins has emerged as an unofficial shepherd, uidin the citys hospitality community through the storm with a steady hand, unbreakable wit (his regular emails about Juniper’s specials will always put a smile on your face), honesty about not having all the answers and willingness to change course when he feels like the situation necessitates it. The founder of Meals for Meds, a program that provided meals to frontline workers by numerous local restaurants, Perkins has been a beacon of light throughout these fraught times and a source of strength that cannot be overstated. CHERYL BAEHR

BEST CHICKEN WINGS Wing Runner

4158 Manchester Avenue, 314-944-6003 Leave it to David and Meggan Sandusky to turn a pandemicinduced restaurant downturn into culinary gold. When the pair found their dining rooms shuttered and businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, they rallied, creating a ghost kitchen inside BEAST Butcher & Block called Wing Runner as a way to use their existing capacity to branch out into something new. They thought they were building a new reve-

nue stream, but what they ended up creating is the best place for chicken wings in town. And for anyone who thought the wing experience was limited to chicken, their vegetarian-friendly cauliflower wins steal the show, iving us a satisfying, plant-based alternative to the traditional form. Who says 2020 was all bad? CHERYL BAEHR

BEST CAJUN/CREOLE Jerk Soul

3108 Cherokee Street, 314-601-3871

Two hurricanes may have tried to take them out, but Jerk Soul’s Zara Spencer and Tellie Woods are themselves forces of nature when it comes to cooking. Brought to St. Louis from the U.S. Virgin Islands in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria, the pair realized their dream of opening a restaurant toether, first in yde ar and now in their new digs on Cherokee Street. Anchored by old family recipes Spencer learned from her grandmother, Jerk Soul has become essential eating for those who long for a taste of old-school Caribbean cooking. The jerk chicken, the restaurant’s signa-

Jerk Soul. | MABEL SUEN

ture offering, does not simply dazzle, but will change the way you think about the dish one delicious bite at a time. CHERYL BAEHR

BEST CHINESE Yen Ching

1012 South Brentwood Boulevard, Richmond Heights; 314-721-7507

Over the past decade — and ramping up over the last three years — St. Louis has been blessed with a host of authentic Chinese restaurants, mostly up and down Olive Boulevard in University City. Whether traditional dim sum or modern street food made by young, up-andcoming restaurateurs, these restaurants dazzle by taking diners on a journey through real-deal Chinese cuisine. Then there’s Yen Ching, an unapologetically American-style Chinese restaurant that serves up the sort of familiar comfort that only a plate of crab Rangoon and some General Tso’s chicken can provide. Since , this ichmond eihts institution has been the go-to for St. Louis diners looking to enjoy the best this genre has to offer. The place has almost a countryclub-like feel as multi-generation families who’ve been coming for