10th Street Italian: 504 N. Tenth, Last day of service: January 11, 2010
Why it closed: Could never build a dinner clientele. And since this town consumes its noontime meal almost exclusively during the noon hour, opening only for lunch is rarely a money maker.
What we’ll miss: Maybe not much. Stefano’s has been serving casual Italian fare at the same address since June and expanded the hours...to dinner, to late night, and even to breakfast—that’s three shifts, seven days a week.
Seasons St. Louis: 79 Forum Center, Last day of service: February 27
Why it closed: Any restaurant that buys large advertisements in all local print publications while also marketing itself on everything from restaurant.com to Groupon is not long for this world. The numbers simply don’t add up. Too bad, because the food was respectable.
What we’ll miss: Again, maybe not much. Chef Kevin Smith is now at the helm of the now-named Seasons American Cuisine, and unless his fare is sub-par and/or he has the same marketing philosophy as his predecessors, the new Seasons can survive solely on the overflow from Paul Manno’s .
Original Soup Man, 612 N. 11th, Last day of service: July 9
Why it closed: OK, this time it was the food. There are four requirements for selling soups at retail: if they are to be held in a steamtable, they need to be sold quickly (to keep from overcooking); they must be kept hot, but not boiling hot (or cream-based soups will separate); they must be competitively priced; and they must be fresh-tasting and properly-seasoned. Strike four and you’re out, Al Yeganeh. No soup business for you!
What we’ll miss: The complimentary piece of Lindt chocolate that accompanied each order.
Mia Rosa: 4501 Manchester, Last day of service: August 7
Why it closed: Occupying three bays on the outskirts of the Grove may simply have been too aggressive an undertaking.
What we’ll miss: After 11 pm three nights a week, the restaurant became a gourmet diner of sorts.
Primebar: 17 West County Center, Last day of service: September 19
Why it closed: Poor launch and poor location in a mall location already struggling to keep its restaurant seats full.
What we’ll miss: The big sister to Bar Louie was conceptually sound…just wish it would have opened somewhere else.
Il Vicino, 41 N. Central, Last day of service: September 27
Why it closed: A fire caused irreparable damage to the building.
What we’ll miss: Perfect execution, from the salads to wood-oven pizza to the best “quick-service” service in town. Awaiting the phoenix act sometime soon.
Riddle’s Penultimate Cafe: 6307 Delmar, Last day of service: October 16
Why it closed: A case where “smoky” and “dimly lit” translated to dingy, tired…and still smoky
What we’ll miss: A lot of things, from the regionally-sourced menu (the first of its kind) to the quartinos of good-quality, but inexpensive, wine.
Newstead Tower Public House: 4353 Manchester, Last day of service: October 30
Why it closed: With the new Grove signage and the street improvements along Manchester, The Grove is just now gaining traction and credibility. Unfortunately, NTPH arrived at this street party a bit too early.
What we’ll miss: The grass-fed beef burger. No, wait. Find the same burger (and more varieties) at Five Bistro, Anthony Devoti’s other restaurant on the Hill.
An American Place: 822 Washington, Last day of service: November 1
Why it closed: Rightly or wrongly, it dropped off the local radar when Josh Galliano left for Monarch.
What we’ll miss: Temporarily, anyway, we’ll miss the most beautiful dining room in the city. We won’t, however, miss owner Larry Forgione’s anti-Midwest attitude. (A bit of schadenfreude, you say? Perhaps.)
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse: 777 River City Casino Blvd, Last day of service: November 19
Why it closed: I said it before and I’ll say it again: Ruby’s was the best ill-fated steakhouse in town. Too bad no one bothered to drive to Lemay to discover it.
What we’ll miss: Really the whole look and concept…Pinnacle should just clone the damn thing, reopen tomorrow, and be done with it.
