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When we met with Eric Brenner, former chef-owner of Moxy, last spring, he was headed to New York City to work full-time on his frozen pizza line, BOLD Organics. As a native St. Louisan, Brenner told us that he knew he would return someday. That day has come perhaps sooner than he thought after Steve Smith made him an offer he couldn’t refuse: become the executive chef and general manager of Alumni St. Louis, the latest restaurant from architectural and design firm, The Lawrence Group, whose clients include Joe Buck's restaurant, Triumph Grill, and Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood. “I thought I would start over in New York,” Brenner explained, “but I realized that I can do so here.” (He announced his intentions last week via Twitter and super-snoop Ian Froeb picked up on the scent.)
As the restaurant’s name suggests, Alumni St. Louis will “celebrate the people, places, and food that make St. Louis great,” according to Brenner. Located in the Art-Deco Park Pacific building (below), on Olive between 13th and Tucker, the renovated space is home to apartments as well as KMOX. Brenner shared that Charlie Brennan will host his book club at the restaurant once a month. With its prime location near City Hall, The Peabody, The Savvis Center, and the new headquarters of Saint Louis University’s Law School, Alumni St. Louis will serve locals and visitors alike as it showcases pride in the city through both the space and food.
When asked about what the food will be like, Brenner joked about toasted ravioli and Provel cheese—eats commonly associated with St. Louis. His goal, though, is to elevate St. Louis food. Toward that end, he wants to hire people who know the city and what its denizens like to eat. Favorites from Moxy, like the flourless chocolate cake and tomato bisque, will most likely appear on the menu. Gluten-free selections will also be available (for all menu items, according to a recent Tweet) and Brenner hopes to serve some of his BOLD Organics items as well. Complementing the interior, classic cocktails with a nod toward nostalgia will round out a beverage menu that also includes local craft beers and affordable wines from Missouri and beyond.
With an emphasis on service, Brenner has hired John Michael Barbieri as his service manager. Barbieri has a background in the restaurant industry, but he most recently worked as the service manager at Nordstrom, and Brenner is excited not only about the expertise and polish Barbieri will bring to the position but the fact that he’ll have a fresh perspective on restaurant service.
“We want to be part of the conversation about what St. Louis was, is, and will be,” Brenner stated regarding Alumni St. Louis’ concept. And with a name that juxtaposes graduation and St. Louis, the restaurant will even contain wink-wink nods and references to that famous--or infamous--line: “Where’d you go to high school?”
Brenner anticipates that Alumni St. Louis will open within a few months. A job fair will be held next week at the restaurant (200 N. 13th St.), on Wednesday and Thursday. February 6 and 7, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Watch Brenner's Twitter feed (@ChefEricBrenner) for additional restaurant updates and details.
