Readers' Choice 2014

Readers'

Choice

Mike Emerson of Pappy's Smokehouse, your favorite barbecue

s t. l ouis ’ in d e p en d en t cu l ina r y au t h o r i t y

Readers’ Choice 2014

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FREE, readers’ choice 2014

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Readers’ Choice 2014

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Readers’ Choice 2014

favorite new restaurant: the libertine

The Libertine 7927 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, 314.862.2999, libertinestl.com

photo by jonathan gayman

With each seasonal iteration of The Libertine’s trademark entree Three Little Birds, executive chef Josh Galliano and executive sous chef Josh Poletti exhibit the classic elegance of fowl, whimsically reinvented and roasted to perfection. Chicken, quail and Cornish hen are deboned, brined, stacked in layers and finally topped with morsels of dark meat. The succulent casserole is gently CVapped for several hours, which caramelizes the crispy skin before the Three Little Birds are laid to rest upon a bed of tangy, oldschool Carolina Gold rice middlins, cooked with milk and pecorino. The ensemble is finished with a saute of local, seasonal vegetables – this spring, it was Scharf Farm’s asparagus and Andy Ayers’ snow peas doused in spring ramp butter sauce. The end product is a testament to Galliano’s and Poletti’s ability to elevate mere chicken and rice to first-rate distinction. – Anne Marie Lodholz

Readers’ Choice 2014

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Favorite barbecue: pappy's smokehouse

Last year

360,000 customers shook hands with Emerson and

82,650 pounds of sweet potato fries made last year

10,400 pretty ladies hugged him (He aims to beat that number this year).

30

minutes average wait time in line

27,000 bottles of Fitz’s root beer sold last year

portrait by greg rannells

Just what does it take to deliver the internationally acclaimed Memphis-style (with a St. Louis twist) ribs, pulled pork and brisket to the daily throngs at Pappy’s Smokehouse? Owner Mike Emerson lays it all out, by the numbers. – Sara Graham

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smokers: Walter, Big Ron and LeRoy, plus two new ones, Waino and Porkey LaFarge Readers’ Choice 2014

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60

employees keeping Pappy’s running daily

14 to18

years in business

hours to slow smoke pork over apple or cherry wood

14,000

gallons of barbecue sauce produced last year

6 to 8 producers from Missouri, Illinois and Iowa supply the meat

4,000 pounds of pork smoked daily

Pappy’s Smokehouse 3106 Olive St., St. Louis, 314.535.4340, pappyssmokehouse.com saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 7

Meet some of the Broadway Oyster Bar staff: From left, Casey Donovan, Donna Hornachek, Josh Chartrand, Tory Johnson, Blair Govero, Mike Bridgeman, Brett Johnson, Bobby King, Kathryn Pilch, Jenny Hammond, Stefanie Ricci, Michelle Vessells, Brad Zipprich

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

Photo by ashley gieseking

Favorite Cajun/Creole: Broadway Oyster Bar 8 I SAUCE MAGAZINE I saucemagazine.com

Readers’ Choice 2014

Why did readers vote Broadway Oyster Bar the Best Cajun/ Creole restaurant in St. Louis for the 12th year running?

Because the menu is packed with the tastiest oysters, crawfish, crab legs and alligator north of NOLA. We sat down with owner John Johnson and his staff to find out what it’s like to work in a place that’s impossible to define with customers who defy stereotyping. As the seasoned, snarky waitstaff tells it, they love each other almost as much as they love the food, and they can always find something to laugh about, even after a 15-hour shift. Just don’t ask for separate checks. – Kellie Hynes

What dishes do you snarf on back in the kitchen?

The alligator sausage and shrimp cheesecakes, crawfish enchiladas, Crawfish Mona.

– Mike Bridgeman What’s it like to work during a Cardinals day game?

You get to see the beginning and then (the fans) come back, and sometimes they take the same table. I’ll think, Oh my gosh, you were so different earlier. You did a lot of drinking in three hours!

– Michelle Vessells Fill in the blank. Whatever you do, don’t order the: Mozzarella sticks and toasted ravioli. We don’t have that stuff.

– Kathryn Pilch What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen a customer do?

Eat a whole bucket of boiled crawfish. – John Johnson Why is that strange?

He ate the whole thing.

Seriously, the whole bucket.

Shells, heads and all.

– Stephanie Ricci Tell me a musician story.

Dick Dale, he’s the King of Surf Guitar … he was playing with a cordless guitar. All of the sudden – (he’s) an older guy – he jumped down off the stage, walked through the crowd, all the way out the front door. Everyone was like, ‘'Where’d he go?" He went around the corner, over to the White Castle, and walked through the drive-thru. His Readers’ Choice 2014

favorite chef ed heath

whole band is still playing on stage. The car that’s getting served pulls away and he walks up, with his guitar, playing, and sticks his head in the window. He just felt like going over and saying hi.

He never stopped playing.

Obviously everyone went crazy. – Johnson When is it hard to be a server here?

When you try to (serve) the food, and no one responds to you. You ask, “Who had the jambalaya?” and nobody knows what they ordered. – Bridgeman What do you do when someone orders something right before the kitchen closes?

We smile, and serve them, and cross our fingers they don’t order the crab legs.

Crab legs take a long time to eat. In the last 30 minutes, you just know you’re going to get two orders of crab legs.

And I’m like, "If you’re going to wait for one order of crab legs, might as well wait for two." – Vessells What do you wish people knew about Broadway Oyster Bar? We don’t take separate checks. Why? Imagine having a big party at your house, 200 people, and trying to keep track of what everybody ate and drank. It’s the same thing here. People get upset, but they don’t realize. This ain’t Tony’s, where people come and sit in their seat. That would be way easier. – Johnson

When you’re one of the area’s most popular chefs, everyone wants a word with you. We yanked Ed Heath out of the Cleveland-Heath kitchen for 1 minute to pepper him with questions about his pasture-to-plate restaurant in Edwardsville, then let him get back to making more slinger-like lomo saltado and Japanese pancakes. – Ligaya Figueras What dish on the Cleveland-Heath menu are you most excited about? The duck breast with the German potato salad. English peas, bacon … oh my God, it’s so good.

What menu items surprise you with their popularity? For the breakfast menu, the lomo (saltado). It’s even more popular than our biscuits and gravy. For the starter menu, the okonomiyaki. We get more comments about that than anything else on our menu. The popularity is almost shocking.

What dish can you not take off the menu?

The BLT. Are you working with any new farmers or food producers? Jenna Pohl. She owns Midwest Lamb. She’s all-natural in her feed, but these lambs are huge. They dress out at 90 to 100 pounds. We wonder if we should call them mutton. They are massive, and they are delicious.

What’s the biggest thing you learned since opening Cleveland-Heath in 2011? Staffing –

learning how to be an appropriate manager of people, and keep them happy and wanting to come back every day, and hungry so they want to keep learning on their own. We have a killer staff, but it’s been the most challenging thing.

What music do you listen to in the kitchen?

I hate really heavy metal, so we stick with contemporary rock ’n’ roll, Willie Nelson, good old country, Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, some old-school rap, a ton of old blues. It’s really who gets ahold of the radio.

What are your typical hours at the restaurant? I am there Tuesday through Saturday, 15-plus hours each day.

How do you keep up your energy? After work, I either jog or go to a 24-hour gym. If I didn’t exercise six or seven days a week for a minimum of an hour, I couldn’t keep up with it.

Cleveland-Heath 106 N. Main St., Edwardsville, 618.307.4830, clevelandheath.com saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 9

favorite doughnut shop: strange donuts The guys at Strange Donuts do two things very well: make weird, wonderful doughnuts in oddball combinations (Pig liver?

Crab meat? Why not?), and herald the arrival of these limited-edition “dones” online. Local chefs have created signature “Strangers,” and the shop’s own “Creations” have wowed Strange Donuts’ rabid followers on Instagram – all 5,300 and counting. These nine dones are our picks for the strangest of the strange. – Catherine Klene Strange Donuts, 2709 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, 314.932.5851, strangedonuts.com

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1. The Takeout Soy sauce and chicken stock cake doughnut topped with sweet and sour sauce, chow mein and scallions | 2. The Mai Pho King Done A Mai Lee Stranger with a beef pho consomme filling, hoisin-Sriracha glaze, and carrot, basil and peanut topping | 3. Bad to the Done A Bogart’s Stranger topped with pulled ribs, apricot glaze and Pineapple Express barbecue sauce | 4. The Stewed STL Done A Schlafly Stranger made with coffee stout chocolate icing, sea salt popcorn and a bourbon-caramel drizzle | 5. Finding Nori Nori seaweed doughnut with sesame oil and a caramel glaze, topped with toasted sesame seeds | 6. The Slinger A toasted doughnut topped with an egg patty, chili con carne, Monterey Jack cheese and Billy Goat chips | 7. The Colcanndone A baked potato and sauteed kale yeast doughnut with a Jameson-infused glaze, sprinkled with Irish cheddar cheese | 8. The Strange Hog Burger A Quincy Street Bistro Stranger featuring a Hog Burger patty inside a doughnut topped with maple-caramelized onion glaze and house-made pimento cheese spread | 9. The Donito A Niche Stranger with lemon-maple custard, bonito glaze, roasted shiitake mushrooms, bonito flakes and fleur del sel

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Readers’ Choice 2014

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Readers’ Choice 2014

favorite restaurant sidney street cafe

Kevin Nashan took over Sidney Street Cafe in 2003.

Here, he reflects on the lessons he’s learned running the beloved Benton Park restaurant for the past decade. – Meera Nagarajan

The greatest lesson Sidney Street Cafe has taught me?

Listening – to my wife, my brother, back of the house, front of the house, customers. It helps you grow. It makes you better.

The first time we put foie gras on the menu, we were so excited and nobody ordered it. Another time, we did a mackerel dish and we loved it but customers didn’t get it. A year later? Customers wanted it. Sometimes they’re ready, and sometimes they’re not. You have to listen.

Honestly, it’s harder to take over a restaurant because the expectations are so high. You know what’s worked and what hasn’t. You just don’t know if you should change anything … It takes time and a little courage.

Photo by greg rannells

When we took over Sidney Street, we were under a microscope, but we knew people would show up because there was an existing clientele.

With Peacemaker (Nashan’s new restaurant to open in the coming weeks), we get to be creative instantly with the food.

There’s no model to follow.

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

Readers’ Choice 2014

You always want to re-polish.

Before I make a vichyssoise, I research it because there’s always room for improvement.

You want to respect your craft and the way you do that is by doing your homework. saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 13

your favorite places to eat Favorite Burger Blueberry Hill 6504 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.727.4444, blueberryhill.com 2nd: Five Star Burgers 3rd: O’Connell’s Pub Honorable Mention: The Dam

The Breakfast Wagyu Burger at Blueberry Hill, voted favorite place to get a burger

Favorite Cheap Eats Fast Eddie’s Bon Air 1530 E. 4th St., Alton, 618.462.5532, fasteddiesbonair.com 2nd: Mission Taco Joint 3rd: Southwest Diner Honorable Mention: Seoul Taco Favorite Cupcake The Cup Various locations, cravethecup.com 2nd: Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Café 3rd: The Sweet Divine Honorable Mention: Sarah’s Cake Shop Favorite Deli Blues City Deli 2438 McNair Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.8225, bluescitydeli.com 2nd: Pickles Deli 3rd: Mom’s Deli Honorable Mention: Gioia’s Deli Favorite Desserts Cyrano’s Cafe 603 E. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, 314.963.3232, cyranos.com 2nd: Baileys’ Chocolate Bar 3rd: Element Honorable Mention: The Fountain On Locust

Favorite Restaurant Sidney Street Cafe 2000 Sidney St., St. Louis, 314.771.5777, sidneystreetcafe.com

2nd: Pastaria 3rd: Pappy’s Smokehouse Honorable Mention: Mai Lee Favorite Chef Ed Heath, Cleveland-Heath 2nd: Gerard Craft, Niche family of restaurants 3rd: Kevin Nashan, Sidney Street Cafe and Ben Poremba, Elaia and Olio (tie) Honorable Mention: Josh Galliano, The Libertine

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Favorite Barbecue Pappy’s Smokehouse 3106 Olive St., St. Louis, 314.535.4340, pappyssmokehouse.com 2nd: Bogart’s Smokehouse 3rd: Sugarfire Smoke House Honorable Mention: The Shaved Duck Favorite Brunch Half & Half 8133 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.725.0719, halfandhalfstl.com

2nd: Brasserie by Niche 3rd: Rooster Honorable Mention: Café Osage Favorite Buffet Everest Café & Bar 4145 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.531.4800, everestcafeandbar.com 2nd: House of India 3rd: Cielo Restaurant and Bar Honorable Mention: The Emperor’s Palace

Favorite Frozen Dessert Ted Drewes Frozen Custard 6726 Chippewa St., St. Louis, 314.481.2652 and 4224 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.352.7376, teddrewes.com Readers’ Choice 2014

Photo by CARMEN TROESSER

Favorite New Restaurant The Libertine 7927 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, 314.862.2999, libertinestl.com 2nd: Planter’s House 3rd: Element and Mission Taco Joint (tie) Honorable Mention: Juniper

Favorite Food Truck Guerrilla Street Food 314.529.1328, guerillastreetfood.com 2nd: Seoul Taco 3rd: Lulu’s Local Eatery Honorable Mention: Cha Cha Chow

2nd: Bobby’s Frozen Custard 3rd: Serendipity Homemade Ice Cream Honorable Mention: Annie’s Frozen Custard Favorite Gluten Free New Day Gluten Free 15622 Manchester Road, Ellisville, Missouri, 636.527.5000, newdayglutenfree.com 2nd: PW Pizza 3rd: Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop Honorable Mention: Frida’s Favorite Late Night Eats City Diner 3139 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.6100, citydinerstl.com 2nd: The Dam 3rd: Mission Taco Joint Honorable Mention: Uncle Bill’s Pancake & Dinner House Favorite Pizza Pi Pizzeria Various locations, restaurantpi.com 2nd: Dewey’s Pizza 3rd: Mad Tomato Honorable Mentions: The Good Pie and Peel Wood Fired Pizza (tie) Favorite Patio John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub & Garden 1200 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, 314.776.8309, mcgurks.com 2nd: Vin De Set 3rd: Billy G’s Kirkwood and Molly’s in Soulard (tie) Honorable Mention: Sasha’s on Shaw Favorite Spot to Impress Out-of-towners Olio 1634 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.932.1088, oliostl.com 2nd: Pastaria 3rd: Blueberry Hill Honorable Mention: Pappy’s Smokehouse Favorite Seafood Farmhaus 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St. Louis, 314.647.3800, farmhausrestaurant.com Readers’ Choice 2014

2nd: DeMun Oyster Bar 3rd: Tavern Kitchen & Bar Honorable Mention: Oceano Bistro Favorite American, nouveau Niche 7734 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314.773.7755, nichestlouis.com 2nd: Sidney Street Cafe 3rd: Elaia Honorable Mention: Farmhaus and Five Bistro (tie) Favorite American, traditional Annie Gunn’s 16806 Chesterfield Airport Road, Chesterfield, 636.532.7684, smokehousemarket.com 2nd: The Restaurant at The Cheshire 3rd: Eleven Eleven Mississippi and Harvest (closed) (tie) Honorable Mention: Herbie’s Vintage 72 Favorite Cajun/Creole Broadway Oyster Bar 736 S. Broadway, St. Louis, 314.621.8811, broadwayoysterbar.com 2nd: Riverbend Restaurant & Bar 3rd: Boogaloo Honorable Mention: Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill Favorite Chinese Lu Lu Seafood & Dim Sum 8224 Olive Blvd., University City, 314.997.3108, luluseafoodrestaurant.com 2nd: Wang Gang Asian Eats 3rd: Yen Ching Honorable Mention: Hiro Asian Kitchen Favorite Eastern European/ Bosnian Grbic Restaurant & Banquet Hall 4071 Keokuk St., St. Louis, 314.772.3100, grbicrestaurant.com 2nd: Bosna Gold 3rd: Aya Sofia Honorable Mention: HandleBar Favorite English/Irish/Scottish The Scottish Arms 8 S. Sarah St.,

St. Louis, 314.535.0551, thescottisharms.com 2nd: Dressel’s Public House and The Dubliner (tie) 3rd: John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub Honorable Mention: Llywelyn’s Pub Favorite French Brasserie by Niche 4580 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.454.0600, brasseriebyniche.com 2nd: Atlas Restaurant 3rd: Cafe Provencal and Stone Soup Cottage (tie) Honorable Mention: Bar Les Frères Favorite German Schneithorst’s Restaurant & Bar 1600 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Ladue, 314.993.4100, schneithorsts.com 2nd: Dreamland Palace 3rd: Roemer Topf Restaurant Honorable Mention: Bevo Mill Favorite Greek Olympia Kebob House and Taverna 1543 McCausland Ave., St. Louis, 314.781.1299, olympiakebobandtaverna.com 2nd: Momos 3rd: Gyro House Honorable Mention: Spiro’s Restaurant Favorite Indian House of India 8501 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.567.6850, hoistl.com 2nd: Rasoi 3rd: Taj Palace Cuisine of India Honorable Mention: Haveli Favorite Italian Pastaria 7734 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314.862.6603, pastariastl.com 2nd: Trattoria Marcella and Zia’s (tie) 3rd: Cunetto House of Pasta and Paul Manno’s Cafe (tie) Honorable Mention: Acero

Favorite Japanese Wasabi Sushi Bar Various locations, wasabisushibars.com 2nd: Tani Sushi Bistro 3rd: Café Mochi and Kampai Sushi Bar (tie) Honorable Mention: Chop Shop Favorite Korean Oriental Spoon 229 Sanatorium, Edwardsville, 618.655.9633, orientalspoon.net 2nd: Seoul Taco 3rd: Seoul Garden Korean Restaurant Honorable Mention: Asian Kitchen Korean Cuisine Favorite Mexican Chava’s Mexican Restaurant 925 Geyer Ave., St. Louis, 314.241.5503, chavasmexican.com, and Mission Taco Joint 6235 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.932.5430, missiontacostl.com (tie) 2nd: La Vallesana 3rd: Taqueria El Bronco Honorable Mention: Mi Ranchito Favorite Middle Eastern Ranoush 6501 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.726.6874 and 200 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.984.8899, ranoush.com 2nd: Cafe Natasha’s 3rd: Aya Sofia Honorable Mention: The Vine Mediterranean Café and Market Favorite Soul/Southern Sweetie Pie’s 4270 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.371.0304 and 3643 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.371.0304, sweetiepieskitchen.com 2nd: Juniper 3rd: Quincy Street Bistro Honorable Mention: The Kitchen Sink Favorite South American/Pan-Latin Mango Peruvian Cuisine 1101 Lucas Ave., St. Louis, 314.621.9993, mangoperu.com

2nd: Fritanga Nicaraguan Cuisine 3rd: Yemanja Brasil Restaurante Honorable Mention: Maya Cafe Favorite Spanish Modesto 5257 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.772.8272, modestotapas.com 2nd: Barcelona Tapas Restaurant 3rd: Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas Honorable Mention: One 19 North Tapas and Wine Bar Favorite Steak Tucker’s Place Various locations, tuckersplacestl.com 2nd: Ruth’s Chris Steak House 3rd: Citizen Kane’s Steak House Honorable Mention: 801 Chophouse and The Tenderloin Room (tie) Favorite Thai King & I Restaurant 3157 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.771.1777, kingandistl.com 2nd: Sen Thai Asian Bistro 3rd: Basil Spice Thai Cuisine Honorable Mention: Thai Cafe Favorite Vegetarian Tree House Restaurant 3177 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.696.2100, treehousestl.com 2nd: Frida’s Deli 3rd: PuraVegan Cafe & Yoga and Sacred Grounds Cafe (tie) Honorable Mention: Lulu’s Local Eatery Favorite Vietnamese Mai Lee 8396 Musick Memorial Dr., Brentwood, 314.645.2835, maileerestaurant.com 2nd: Pho Grand 3rd: Banh Mi So #1 Honorable Mention: Mi Linh Favorite Waitstaff Tony’s 410 Market St., St. Louis, 314.231.7007, tonysstlouis.com 2nd: Niche 3rd: The Restaurant at The Cheshire Honorable Mention: Cardwell’s at the Plaza

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Photo by elizabeth jochum

Favorite Spot to Impress Out-of-towners: Olio

John Fausz, bar manager at Olio, mixes drinks with a cultural and historical ken, returning to the classic components of a respectable cocktail: gin, bitters and vermouth. Over the marble bartop at Olio, where Fausz coaches journeyman cocktail enthusiasts, he’ll drop little A-grade bits of spirit wisdom on you: Rye is better for mixing, bourbon for drinking.

Good ingredients and delivery always outclass theatrics. And with a little finesse,

Readers’ Choice 2014

herbal and mineral flavors become the antidote to years of oversugared, overmixed drinks. “(Olio) is so Old World in spirit,” Fausz said. The bar menu underscores that belief, from the acidic, lambic-like Ramos de Valle cider from Spain to the classic Adonis cocktail (sherry, sweet vermouth, orange bitters) to pacharán, a Basque liqueur made from sloeberries that dates

to the Middle Ages. Also a certified sommelier, Fausz has dialed in on a roster of unusual, rustic wines, like the Grosjean Gamay, a spicy Beaujolais-esque Italian.

There is something atypical, historical, even a little magical at work here. That’s the Old World, transmuted over.

revitalization and community-building.

Our readers are noticing – the bartenders and bar programs they gave nods to this year are singular examples of mighty imaginations, forward-thinking ones, mixing their vision with a jiggerful of St. Louis’ past. Add ice. Shake. – Garrett Faulkner

Above all, Fausz is a dreamer, seeing the cocktail movement in St. Louis for what it can continue to be: a mechanism for

Olio 1634 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.932.1088, oliostl.com

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Where to

explore next

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favo r ite wi n er i es

by garrett faulkner, ligaya figueras and catherine klene illustration by vidhya nagarajan

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Readers’ Choice 2014

T

he arithmetic seems simple: grow the grapes, press them, ferment and bottle the result. Set up a few patio tables. Print some brochures. Whip up snacks. Build it, and they will come. But the vintner’s task list doesn’t end at making world-class wine. Crafting the experience – that artful combination of rustic tranquility and urbane getaway – is what sets the standouts apart from the simply satisfactory. We raise our glasses to these five wineries who, among more than 100 across Missouri, have earned the praise of our readers for their ability to put a tall pour of the country inside of a bottle. So tear out (just this once) the map of our wine tour and pop it in the glove box – you’ve got driving to do.

Chandler Hill Vineyards Chandler Hill’s first press was only in 2011, but its winemaking has been as fecund as the gentle foothills on which it sits. Winemaker and vineyard manager Tom Murphy has wasted no time establishing an impressive catalog of whites, reds and even a port here and there. Native Missouri varietals stand beside heavy-hitters imported from the West Coast, some even mingling inside the barrel, like the winery’s bold Norton-cabernet, slated to debut this summer. The vineyard’s whites shine the most, though, especially the dry vignoles, which blooms with a strong grapefruit nose, tart palate and sweet finish.

You’d be remiss in skipping over the restaurant menu. The King Buck Burger, brushed with house-made barbecue sauce, goes down well with the tannic, refined 2012 merlot. Order an artisan cheese plate – bedecked with bleu cheese, cheddar and brie – and conclude on a decadent note with Murph’s Vignoles White Port, an ambrosial vineyard specialty.

596 Defiance Road, Defiance, 636.798.2675, chandlerhillvineyards.com, Tues. to Thurs. – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. to Mon. – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; winter hours vary

Chaumette Vineyards & Winery The 2013 unoaked chardonel is one excuse to head to Chaumette this summer, but there are plenty more reasons why this Ste. Genevieve winery is a crowd pleaser. For $5 you can taste six of the winery’s 12 wines in the tasting room. Choose a bottle of your favorite and enjoy it in the airconditioned dining room, or take it to the patio or covered veranda. Chaumette permits you to bring in your picnic spread, but try Grapevine Grill.

The restaurant showcases uber-local ingredients prepared by executive chef Adam Lambay. Come on a Thursday or Sunday for family-style dining.

Readers’ Choice 2014

A visit to Chaumette isn’t complete without walking the picturesque, hilly grounds. Check out St. Vincent’s in-the-Vineyard chapel at the top of the hill, then saunter down to the barn for a short trail hike to neighbor winery-microbrewery Charleville.

If hiking, eating and drinking wine tires you out, Chaumette has you covered with a spa that offers everything: soothing facials and massages, manis, pedis and even an outdoor pool. Best of all, you don’t have to make it a day trip. Stay overnight in one of the posh villas for a top-flight getaway that won’t require a flight to Napa Valley.

24345 State Route WW, Ste. Genevieve, 573.747.1000, chaumette.com, Wed. to Sun. – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Montelle Winery Augusta Winery may dominate the valley, but its younger sibling rules the mountain above. Montelle Winery, perched 400 feet above the Missouri River on the Osage Ridge, was purchased by Augusta’s Tony Kooyumjian in 1998. But the wines it produces are its own, and there are plenty.

Step up to Montelle’s bar and enjoy complimentary tastings of nearly 20 different wines, such as the not-so-sweet vignoles or La Rosee, which sees its return to the Montelle portfolio this summer.

Sweeter palates can opt for the best-selling Himmelswein, with notes of crisp green apple.

Looking for something a bit stronger? Be bold and ask for a glass of the distilled spirits, potent yet curiously fruity sippers that pack a wallop.

Once you’ve found your favorite, head over to the counter at the Klondike Cafe, where madeto-order sandwiches, salads, wraps and pizzas are available. If you really want to see Montelle at its best, make reservations for a three-course Sunset Dinner on Friday or Saturday night. There’s no better view than can be found on Montelle’s deck, sharing a bottle while the sinking sun sets Missouri wine country aglow for miles.

201 Montelle Drive, Augusta, 636.228.4464, montelle.com, Mon. to Thurs. – 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fri. – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; winter hours vary

Mount Pleasant Estates When you want a lesson in Missouri wine history, Mount Pleasant Estates is the place to start. It’s the oldest winery in Augusta and the first designated wine appellation in the U.S. Moreover, the winery has been in the hands of only two families since it was established in 1859, shut down during Prohibition and resurrected by the Dressel family in 1967.

Among the five wines to include in your $6 tasting, opt for the Villagio, an off-dry white fragrant with peaches. While the Norton has long been a Mount Pleasant stalwart, we enjoyed the Beaujolais-like St. Vincent, added to the winery’s portfolio just last year.

Hungry? The winery doesn’t permit outside food on the property, but you can sup and sip on a deck overlooking the Missouri River Valley at its eatery, Appellation Café. The mesquite-smoked turkey melt, served with a spunky, loose-set red pepper marmalade, is stellar. Before you head out, grab a bottle of Tawny port, a great hostess gift to express some Made-in-MO pride.

5634 High St., Augusta, 636.482.9463, mountpleasant.com, Daily – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; winter hours vary

Noboleis Vineyards A young arrival among Missouri wineries, familyowned Noboleis is nestled on 84 acres of rolling hills in Augusta. Its tasting program is only in its fourth year, but Noboleis is the place to go when you’re looking for a casual wine session. Samples are free, so sip away to find your favorite among its 16-strong wine portfolio. Off-dry red Steepleview and semi-sweet vignoles are the best-sellers, but we’re partial to the oaky, buttery, double-fermented Baril de Blanc, made in the style of a chardonnay.

Outside food is permitted, but in case you didn’t pack a picnic, order a cheese and salume platter, a goat cheese Margherita pizza or a roast beef panini with horseradish brie served aside a berrystudded kale salad. Spend the afternoon under the shade of a large, airy tent while you admire the vineyard and the ancient mulberry tree that lends its silhouette to every Noboleis bottle label.

100 Hemsath Road, Augusta, 636.482.4500, noboleisvineyards.com, Sun. to Fri. – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; winter hours vary saucemagazine.com I SAUCE MAGAZINE I 19

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Readers’ Choice 2014

your favorite places to drink Favorite Bartender Ted Kilgore, Planter’s House 1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, plantershousestl.com 2nd: John Fausz, Olio 3rd: Tony Saputo, (formerly) Eclipse Restaurant Honorable Mention: Travis Garner, Planter’s House Favorite Bar Planter’s House 1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, plantershousestl.com 2nd: Taste 3rd: Brennan’s and The Royale (tie) Honorable Mention: Three Sixty Rooftop Favorite Beer List Global Brew Tap House & Lounge 112 S. Buchanan St., Edwardsville, 618.307.5858 and 455 Regency Park, O’Fallon, Illinois, 618.632.1818, globalbrewtaps.com 2nd: International Tap House 3rd: Bridge Tap House & Wine Bar and Tripel (closed) (tie) Honorable Mention: 21st Street Brewer’s Bar Favorite Brewery Schlafly 2100 Locust St., St. Louis and 7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, 314.241.2337, schlafly.com 2nd: Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. 3rd: 4 Hands Brewing Co. and The Civil Life Brewery Co. (tie) Honorable Mention: Perennial Artisan Ales Favorite Cocktails Taste 4584 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314.361.1200, tastebarstl.com 2nd: Planter’s House 3rd: Eclipse Restaurant Honorable Mention: Blood & Sand

Readers’ Choice 2014

Favorite Coffee Shop Sump Coffee 3700 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 917.412.5670, sumpcoffee.com 2nd: Kaldi’s Coffee 3rd: Sacred Grounds Cafe Honorable Mention: The Mud House and Park Avenue Coffee (tie) Favorite Happy Hour Café Mochi 3221 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.773.5000, cafemochistl.com 2nd: Water Street 3rd: Milagro Modern Mexican Honorable Mention: Frazer’s Restaurant and Lounge Favorite Sports Bar Lester’s Various locations, lestersrestaurant.com 2nd: Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood and The Post Sports Bar & Grill (tie) 3rd: Amsterdam Tavern Honorable Mention: Friendly’s Sports Bar & Grill Favorite Wine Bar Robust Wine Bar Various locations, robustwinebar.com 2nd: Sasha’s on Shaw 3rd: 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar and Olio (tie) Honorable Mention: Balaban’s Wine and Tapas Bar Favorite Winery Chandler Hill Vineyards 596 Defiance Road, Defiance, Missouri, 636.798.2675, chandlerhillvineyards.com 2nd: Chaumette Vineyards and Winery 3rd: Montelle Winery Honorable Mention: Mount Pleasant Winery and Noboleis Vineyards (tie)

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Readers’ Choice 2014

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Crown Candy Kitchen 1401 St. Louis Ave., St. Louis, 314.621.9650, crowncandykitchen.net

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Photo by Ashley Gieseking

Favorite candy shop crown candy kitchen

Readers’ Choice 2014

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your favorite places to shop

Favorite Cakes/Pastries La Patisserie Chouquette 1626 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.932.7935, simonefaure.com 2nd: Brevan’s Patisserie 3rd: Piccione Pastry Honorable Mention: Pint Size Bakery & Coffee Favorite Candy Shop Crown Candy Kitchen 1401 St. Louis Ave., St. Louis, 314.621.9650, crowncandykitchen.net 2nd: Kakao Chocolate 3rd: How Sweet Is This (formerly Oh Lolli Lolli) and Merb’s Candies (tie) Honorable Mention: Miss M’s Candy Boutique

Favorite Caterer Butler’s Pantry 1414 Park Ave., St. Louis, 314.664.7680, butlerspantry.com 2nd: Hollyberry Catering 3rd: Catering St. Louis Honorable Mention: Kenrick’s Meats & Catering Favorite Chocolate Shop Kakao Chocolate 7272 Manchester Road, Maplewood, 314.645.4446 and 2301 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.2310, kakaochocolate.com 2nd: Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier 3rd: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Co. Honorable mention: Rick Jordan Chocolatier Favorite Coffee Roaster Kaldi’s Coffee Various locations, kaldiscoffee.com 2nd: Sump Coffee 3rd: Chauvin Coffee Company and Kuva Coffee Roasters (tie) Honorable Mention: Blueprint Coffee Favorite Cooking Class Dierbergs Various locations, dierbergs.com/school 2nd: Kitchen Conservatory 3rd: Schnucks Honorable Mention: Pie Oh My!

Favorite Doughnut Shop Strange Donuts 2709 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, 314.932.5851, strangedonuts.tumblr.com 2nd: World’s Fair Doughnuts 3rd: Donut Drive-In Honorable Mention: Vincent Van Doughnut Favorite Farmers Market Historic Soulard Farmers Market 730 Carroll St., St. Louis, 314.622.4180, soulardmarket.com 2nd: The Land of Goshen Community Market and Tower Grove Farmers Market (tie) 3rd: Schlafly Farmers Market Honorable Mention: Kirkwood Farmers Market Favorite Grocery Store Dierbergs Various locations, dierbergs.com 2nd: Trader Joe’s 3rd: Fields Foods Honorable Mention: Straub’s Favorite Kitchenware Store Sur La Table 295 Plaza Frontenac, Frontenac, 314.993.0566, surlatable.com 2nd: Chef’s Shoppe 3rd: Williams-Sonoma Honorable Mention: Cornucopia

Favorite Liquor Store Randall’s Wines and Spirits Various locations, shoprandalls.com 2nd: Lukas Liquor Superstore 3rd: Friar Tuck Honorable Mention: The Wine and Cheese Place Favorite Local Bread Companion 8143 Maryland Ave., Clayton, 314.352.4770, companionstl.com 2nd: 222 Artisan Bakery 3rd: Black Bear Bakery Honorable Mention: Great Harvest Bread Co. Favorite Specialty Food Shop Global Foods Market 421 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.835.1112, globalfoodsmarket.com and Jay International Foods 3172 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, 314.772.9393, Facebook: Jay International Foods 2nd: Extra Virgin, An Olive Ovation 3rd: Salume Beddu Honorable Mention: Green Earth Grocery Favorite Wine Shop The Wine and Cheese Place Various locations, wineandcheeseplace.com 2nd: Parker’s Table and The Wine Merchant (tie) 3rd: Bin 51 Wine & Spirits Honorable Mention: Starrs

photo by elizabeth jochum

Favorite Butcher Shop Kenrick’s Meats & Catering 4324 Weber Road, St. Louis, 314.631.2440, kenricks.com 2nd: Straub’s 3rd: Baumann’s Fine Meats and G&W Bavarian Style Sausage (tie) Honorable Mention: Hanlen’s Fine Meats & Catering

Sweet treats from La Patisserie Chouquette, voted favorite place to shop for cakes and pastries

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Readers’ Choice 2014

Readers’ Choice 2014

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