Repeated rumblings and rumors (especially regarding the job status of sommelier Chris Hoel) sparked a new blog idea which I hereby name...REAL OR RUMOR. Here goes:
- Chris Hoel has left The French Laundry. RUMOR. Working with Head Sommelier Dennis Kelly, Chris Hoel is and will continue to be sommelier at the acclaimed Thomas Keller restaurant in Yountville. No one said it better than Chris: "I have the best job at the finest restaurant in the country." His monthly column in SLM, Liquid Assets, continues as well.
- Fu Manchu is reopening. RUMOR. The restaurant formerly known as Fu Manchu will reopen in mid-June as Red Lion, an American Gastropub. And it will not be owned by Mike Johnson; it will be owned by veteran restaurateur Barry Strange.
- Mike Johnson is now manning the burners at Boogaloo. REAL. Johnson is splitting his time between there and Cyrano's, where he just rolled out the Spring menu.
- The City Coffee House and Creperie Is expanding. REAL. Owner Ann Gallardo says the front patio area will get a permanent cover in September, adding 40 year round seats. Fresh air lovers, don't despair...operable windows will maintain that open-air cafe feel.
- Sugaree Baking Co is now selling its made-from-scratch pies every day. RUMOR. Pies are available only on Friday and Saturday. (The 6-inch Apple Crumb is outrageously good, by far the best $5 deal in town.)
- Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is adding a downtown location...again. REAL. Opening June 29 in the almost-complete Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront, the $63 M renovation of the former Adam's Mark Hotel. Two other ground level restaurants are part of the rehab: The Red Kitchen and Bar, opening early July and The St. Louis Brewhouse (serving above-average pub grub in the former A.J.'s space), open now. -- George Mahe
