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The following modules appear on the "Food & Drink" home page of stlmag.com and are updated weekly.
Mo Bot's Garden Glow and Olio: Take advantage of the balmy weather this weekend and attend the Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden, which runs nightly through January 4 (except for 12/31). Before or after, check out nearby Olio and indulge in Jay Stringer's sinful small plates accompanied by a wee bit of holiday grog. 1634 Tower Grove, 314-932-1088, oliostl.com
Papa Knows Best St. Louisans who don't live near Benton Park may be missing out on Ernesto's, one of the city's cozier wine bars. There are over 30 wines by the glass, a surprisingly long bottle list, and even a reserve list ($75-$150) for that New Year's splurge. Affable chef Morgan Casey curates a short, but spot-on, menu. 2730 McNair, 314-664-4511, ernestoswinebar.com
"How's everything tasting far ya?" Call us unforgiving and callous, but this may be the most obnoxious server check-back line in recent memory. Allow us to suggest something more urbane, such as the following, which we've also heard recently around town:
1. "Everything going well?"
2. "May I get you anything?"
3. "How's the _______ ?"
And while we're at it, a few alternatives to the post-meal, "Arya finished with that plate?": 1. A simple, "May I?" or "Excuse me..." 2. "Ready to move onto something else?"
