The longest-running restaurant construction project might--just might--be getting close to completion. All the equipment is in place, as are the tables and chairs, which generally means show time is imminent.
Relish first noticed activity in the former Coco's/Reuben's space at 931 S. Lindbergh back in August of 2008 and discovered it was to become a Sinatra-themed restaurant named Ol' Blue Eyes, owned by Mike Faille of Talayna's Pizza/ Talayna's Juke Box fame.
The project has been on and off for nearly three years and seemed close to opening last summer when it spun into another stall. So the hiring of Chef Andrew Ladlie within the last month is positive news. For those playing track-that-chef, Ladlie has been at Annie Gunn's working under Exec Chef Lou Rook III for the last several years.
Ladlie says to look for traditional Italian dishes, with less emphasis on "St. Louis Italian." When asked to eladorate, he commented, "fewer breaded items, fewer cheese-topped items, and a less-sweet marinara sauce."
Interestingly, the last several times Relish asked Faille when he was planning on opening, the answer was always the same--"in five weeks"--and this has been going on for almost five months. When Ladlie was asked the same question today, he calmly and convincingly replied, "I'm shooting for August 1." That would be (wait for it)...in five weeks.
