Photo by Zach Gzehoviak
Anita Café & Bar (2700 Locust), described as “a new American café and bar with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean undertones,” is slated to open in Midtown this June.
As the St. Louis Business Journal first reported, owner Anita Abdul-Karim's new restaurant will be situated next door to the forthcoming Nexus Cultural Cuisine & Craft Cocktails and near three other soon-to-be-announced restaurants, part of a larger development led by Renaissance Development Associates.
Anita Café & Bar will serve coffee and brunch during the day, as well as cocktails and small plates at night. The menu will feature a selection of toasts (avocado toast, for example), as well as several Middle Eastern- and Mediterranean-inspired bites, such as fatteh (a dish traditionally consisting of crispy pita bread, chickpeas, herbs, garlic, yogurt, and pine nuts). A full bar will include beer, wine, cocktails, as well as nonalcoholic options that “include adaptogens and nootropics that give you a buzz feel without the liquor,” says Abdul-Karim. A Rose-Lemonade Mimosa will be among the offerings, as well as “good sparkling wines for brunch.” A coffee provider has yet to be finalized, but plans include a pistachio latte, vanilla-date latte, and a rose latte.
Photo by Zach Gzehoviak
Anita Abdul-Karim
A registered dietician with an interest in the connection between food and mental health, Abdul-Karim relocated from California to St. Louis in 2020. She's self-published two books on the topics of body positivity and diet: Bad Bitches Don’t Diet: A True Philosophy About Food and Your Body Journal: A 100-Day Journey with Your Body.
The idea for the restaurant took root during Abdul-Karim's morning ritual of coffee and conversation with friends, or sobhiye, as it's commonly known in Middle Eastern countries. Inspired by the prospect of a new path, one in which her passions for “good food and healthy living” could meet people in the places where they already gather, Abdul-Karim began looking for locations in Midtown. “When I saw the space on Locust, with its big windows, I was immediately connected to it,” she says.
Anita Café & Bar will have space for up to 100 guests, with a mix of lounge and table seating. “Earthy florals with a bit of glam” is how Abdul-Karim describes her plans for the decor. “I want people to feel empowered and have a sense of awe when they walk in.”
