Readers' Choice 2012

Featuring favorite new restaurant Cleveland-Heath and 67 other winners

s t. Choice l ouis ’ in d e p en d en t cu l ina r y au t h o r i t y Readers’ 2012

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Readers’ Choice 2012

Readers’ Choice 2012

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Allyson Mace Stacy Schultz Meera Nagarajan Ligaya Figueras Julie Cohen Stacy Schultz Robert Severson, Lindsay Toler Emily Lowery Rebekah Wessels Jonathan Gayman, Ashley Gieseking, David Kovaluk, Laura Miller, Greg Rannells, Amrita Rawat, Kristi Schiffman Carmen Troesser Vidhya Nagarajan Julie Cohen, Ligaya Figueras, Stacy Schultz Erin Keplinger Sharon Arnot Erin Keplinger Angie Rosenberg Erin Anderson, Erin Keplinger, Allyson Mace, Angie Rosenberg Jill George

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Readers’ Choice 2012

readers’ choice

contents 8 dine 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

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More dine winners

drink 15 I practically set up camp on

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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

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cover details

shop 19 Favorite coffee roaster 20 Favorite doughnut shop 21 Favorite specialty food shop 22 Favorite liquor store More shop winners

Photo by Carmen Troesser Jenny Cleveland and Eric Heath at their Edwardsville restaurant Cleveland-Heath, this year’s Readers’ Choice for favorite new restaurant. P. 10

Readers’ Choice 2012

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Readers’ Choice 2012

photo by kristi schiffman

dine

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

The Grove Club at most underrated restaurant The Grove Deli

Readers’ Choice 2012

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more dine winners

dine Favorite 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

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

Total: $9.13 + tax = $9.93

2 ½-lb. Fat Eddie burgers $1.98

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

11 peel ‘n’ eat shrimp $3.19

No one rolls their eyes at my dietary needs here: Local Harvest Cafe

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

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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.

— Julie Cohen

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.”

Most challenging part of cooking vegan: “Achieving richness.

Without cream and butter, it’s hard to create that rich, layered flavor

– 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 Local Harvest Cafe 3137 Morgan Ford Road, St. Louis, 314.772.8815, localharvestcafe.com 2nd: VegaDeli 3rd: Home Wine Kitchen Honorable mention: De.lish Cheesecake Bakery and Café Readers’ Choice 2012

fast eddie’s photo by david kovaluk; local harvest photo by jonathan gayman

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

2 house-made bratwursts $1.98

2 baskets of french fries $1.98

more dine winners

The service here makes everyone feel like a VIP: Tony’s

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

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

illustration by vidhya nagarajan

“[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 Readers’ Choice 2012

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

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

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

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

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This is the most underrated restaurant in town: (tie) The Grove Deli and The Shaved Duck

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 place is farm-tofork at its best Farmhaus 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St. Louis, 314.647.3800, farmhausrestaurant.com 2nd: Local Harvest Cafe 3rd: Five Bistro Honorable mention: Annie Gunn’s I’ll follow this food truck all over town Pi on the Spot Twitter: @PiTruckSTL 2nd: Guerrilla Streetfood 3rd: Seoul Taco Honorable mention: Cha Cha Chow

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

The best flippin’ burger in town O’Connell’s Pub 4652 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.773.6600, saucemagazine.com/ oconnells 2nd: Blueberry Hill 3rd: Five Guys Burgers and Fries Honorable mention: (tie) Seamus McDaniel’s and Carl’s Drive 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

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

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Raleigh

Rockey

Spot Readers’ Choice 2012

fries photo by jonathan gayman; dog photos by kristi schiffman

more dine winners

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Readers’ Choice 2012

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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 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

Photo by CARMEN TROESSER

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

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Readers’ Choice 2012

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

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

Readers’ Choice 2012

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 Honorable 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

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Readers’ Choice 2012

Photo by ashley gieseking

drink

I practically set up camp on this patio when the weather’s warm Eclipse 6177 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.726.2222, eclipsestlouis.com 2nd: John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub and Garden 3rd: (tie) Cielo and Hendel’s Market Cafe Honorable mention: Sasha’s on Shaw

Eclipse’s patio atop the Moonrise Hotel

Readers’ Choice 2012

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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

drink I drink here way too often The Royale 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.’”

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 gonna start abbreviating everything I’m saying to you – just in case.”

“I’m wearing really tight underwear right now.

“Yesterday was awful. I slept till

“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

Here’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

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Danica Patrick: racecar driver, model

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

Jeff Fisher: head coach, Rams

Sam Bradford: quarterback, Rams Kiefer Sutherland: actor (aka the man who saved the world in one day – nine times) Jim Edmonds: retired center fielder, Cardinals

Cast of The Sopranos Billy Bob Thorton: actor Stan Musial: You know him, he’s “The Man.”

Cedric the Entertainer: actor, comedian T.J. Oshie: right wing, Blues

Florence Henderson: actress (aka Carol Brady) Readers’ Choice 2012

the royale photo by jonathan gayman

more drink winners

more drink winners

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

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.”

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.”

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

photos by Amrita Rawat

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

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.’”

Readers’ Choice 2012

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.”

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

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

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

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Readers’ Choice 2012

shop

Photo by greg rannells

Favorite coffee roaster Kaldi’s Coffee 700 St. Bernard’s Lane, St. Louis, 314.727.9991, kaldiscoffee.com 2nd: Chauvin Coffee Co. 3rd: (tie) Goshen Coffee Co. and Northwest Coffee Roasting Co. Honorable mention: Shaw’s Coffee

Probat coffee roasters at Kaldi’s Roasting & Training Center downtown

Readers’ Choice 2012

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shop Favorite Doughnut Shop: Old Town Donuts

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

1,500 A sure sign that people like your doughnuts: They order 1,500 at a time – Old 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.

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.

Old Town boasts 30 different types of doughnuts. From Took’s favorite, the Old Fashioned, to the sweet and salty Bacon Caramel (pictured), good luck choosing what to crave next.

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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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.”

24-7 Owner Keith Took wakes up at 4 a.m. every day. Every day.

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Old Town’s Florissant location is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hello, Christmas breakfast.

A standard glazed, round doughnut is Old Town’s No.1 seller, with the chocolate long john a close second.

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 Readers’ Choice 2012

old town doughnut photos by laura miller

more shop winners

more shop winners

Favorite specialty food shop (tie) Di Gregorio’s Market and Global Foods Market 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.

Readers’ Choice 2012

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.

Favorite local bread Companion Various locations, companionstl.com 2nd: Black Bear Bakery 3rd: Great Harvest Bread Co. Honorable mention: Missouri Baking Co.

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 Gregorio’s Market 5200 Daggett Ave., St. Louis, 314.776.1062, digregoriofoods.com and Global Foods Market 421 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.835.1112, globalfoods market.com 2nd: Manzo Sausage Kitchen & Market 3rd: Extra Virgin, An Olive Ovation Honorable mention: Jay International Food 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 Favorite kitchenware store Sur la Table 295 Plaza Frontenac, Frontenac, 314.993.0566, surlatable.com 2nd: Williams-Sonoma 3rd: Cornucopia Honorable mention: Kitchen Conservatory

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more shop winners

Favorite liquor store Randall’s Various locations, shoprandalls.com 2nd: Lukas Liquor Superstore 3rd: Friar Tuck Honorable mention: The Wine and Cheese Place

shop 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

Favorite wine shop The Wine and Cheese Place Various locations, wineandcheeseplace.com 2nd: The Wine Merchant 3rd: Randall’s Honorable mention: Saint Louis Cellars

Favorite caterer Hollyberry Catering 284 East Ave., Webster Groves, 314.968.9239, hollyberrycatering.com 2nd: Butler’s Pantry Catering & Events 3rd: Russo’s Catering Honorable mention: Gourmet to Go

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.)

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 picnic: Lagosta Vinho Verde – a “patio pounder” that goes down smooth and doesn’t cost much.

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

An engagement party: Veuve Clicquot. Or Bitch Grenache (if you don’t like the girl).

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.

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.

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

A holiday party: Fonseca 20-Year-Old Tawny Port.

Impress the boss: Midleton Irish Whiskey.

Readers’ Choice 2012

Readers’ Choice 2012

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Readers’ Choice 2012