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Editor's Note: Beginning today, SLM contributor Byron Kerman will weigh in regularly on local food events, happenings, and dining news of note. Look for his wit, wisdom, and whimsy every other week both here and in SLM's e-newsletter, On the Burner.
Pssst!
Something about The Hill and its old-world ways must lend itself to secret passwords. At two restaurants on the Hill, a password will get you a discount. At Steve’s Hot Dogs on the Hill, there’s a different password on the eatery’s Facebook page each day that’ll get you a dollar off. (They’re fond of pop-culture touchstones like Bootsy Collins or Porky’s Revenge.) Down the street at sandwich nirvana Gioia’s Deli, you also get a buck off your order if you say the secret word, which they send out each Thursday in an email. Recent shibboleths have included “lumberjack,” “fashionista,” and the current "what-a-sandwich."
I’m Sour, But Not Bitter, Okay?
In a generous and funny gesture, Elaia and Olio will welcome the romantically unattached to a “Sour Hour” Singles Mixer on the eve of Valentine’s Day. They’ll pour a number of sour beers – some of them rarities – including 3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze, 3 Fonteinen Oude Kriek, Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus, Cantillon Fou'Foune, Bockor Bellegems Bruin, 4 Hands Cuvee Ange 2013, Panil Bariquee, and Loverbeer BeerBera. And don’t discount the possibility of finding amor at Sour Hour, says the gang at Elaia and Olio: “Many bottles are available in a shareable format in case you pair off into a corner with a fellow beer geek.”
Donut is the New Cupcake
If chocolate-covered raspberry heart donuts (pictured) for Valentine’s Day from Vincent Van Doughnut don’t make your love-bunny swoon, your love-bunny must be a cyborg with a cold metal heart. These are but one variety of fried and photogenic morsels available for pre-order from St. Louis’ peripatetic doughnut truck/bakery for the holiday. You can order a mixed dozen through Feb.11 and pick them up yourself on V. Day, or have GrubGo deliver them for you. In other news from the VVD camp: Straub’s Markets will begin selling their doughnuts on Feb. 21, each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (while supplies last).