Courtesy Balaban's/Patty Long Catering
Last summer came news that after almost a decade in Chesterfield, Balaban’s would be returning to its longtime home in the Central West End under new ownership. Although guests will have to wait to dine in the new restaurant, located upstairs at 412 N. Euclid, just across the street from the original Balaban’s, they can now get a taste of all its classic dishes at home.
On Saturday, August 15, local entrepreneur Karen Halper, who purchased Balaban’s from partners Steve McIntyre and Brian Underwood in July 2019, will debut Balaban’s At Home, offering meals for delivery or curbside pickup.
Customers place orders over the phone (314-621-9598) or here 48 hours in advance for Wednesday-Sunday pick up (curbside is free, delivery is offered for a nominal fee). Longtime Balaban’s chef Philip Stemmler has curated a special menu of customer favorites, including Cucumber Bisque, Beef Wellington, and Pasta Ligurian.
Courtesy Balaban's
Cucumber bisque with lemon and creme fraiche
In addition to buying Balaban’s last summer, Halper also acquired Patty Long Catering at around the same time, with plans for the catering business to be located on the first floor, directly underneath the new Balaban’s. The two businesses will expand Halper’s investment in the Central West End, where she also owns Mahler Ballroom, an event venue at 4915 Washington; Enchanting Embellishments, a gift and women’s clothing shop at 4732 McPherson; and Mary Ann’s Tea Room, located within the shop.
Plans for the grand opening of Balaban’s are still about two years away, says Kenny Fowler, director of operations for Halper’s businesses. With construction stalled due to the pandemic, he says that the team is excited to share classic Balaban’s dishes with guests in a format now familiar to many restaurants and diners during the pandemic.
“Karen loves the Central West End and the historical nature of it,” Fowler says. “When she saw the opportunity to bring Balaban’s home, that was something that really got her taste buds going. We wanted to find a way to fulfill the need for Balaban’s fans, and chef Phil, who was the head chef at Balaban’s. He now works at Patty Long [Catering], so for the time being we’re trying to incorporate the two together. With the menu, we wanted to take it back to the original concept.”
Courtesy Balaban's
Other signature dishes on the inaugural menu include Eggplant Roulade and Candied Pecan Shrimp (pictured above), Trout Pancake, Hearts of Palm Salad, BBQ Spiced Salmon, Cioppino, plus Beignets and Chocolate Pate for dessert.
In addition to chef Stemmler developing the menu for Balaban’s At Home, the restaurant’s former sommelier, Jasmine Bernard, has returned to curate a wine list that pulls from longtime favorites as well. “Jasmine was in charge of the bar at Balaban’s [in Chesterfield],” Fowler says. “She's with us now as well, and she specifically chose these wines that, again, were fan favorites, and things that would pair well with the meals we are offering.”
During the years that McIntyre and Underwood ran Balaban’s in Chesterfield, the restaurant expanded into a cafe and bottle shop, growing its wine selection and allowing guests to buy bottles to take home. This included “library cellar wines,” offering special and older vintages and national recognition, including from Wine Spectator, for its well-curated wine lists.
When the dining room at Balaban’s eventually reopens in the Central West End, it will be a homecoming for the storied restaurant, which Herbie Balaban Carp first opened as Cafe Balaban in 1972. Cafe Balaban would eventually be heralded as part of the illustrious “Class of ‘72,” by the late, great St. Louis Post-Dispatch restaurant critic Joe Pollack. The critic wrote that five restaurants—which also included Duff’s, Jefferson Avenue Boarding House, Anthony's, and Yen Ching—forever elevated and changed the St. Louis dining scene.
“It's very exciting to bring Balaban’s back home,” Fowler says. “I think Herb [Balaban Carp] would be proud."
For questions regarding the Balaban’s At Home menu or to place an order, contact Andrea Reid at Patty Long Catering at 314-621-9598, andrea@pattylongcatering.com, or order online here.
