SLM contributor Joe Bonwich weighs in on local food events, happenings, and dining news of note. Look for his observations every other week in On the Burner, SLM's dining e-newsletter.
1818 Times Two?
Nothing is firm, but the rumor circulating among folks in the area of the new five-story office building near the intersection of Interstate 64 and Green Mount Road in O’Fallon, Illinois, appears to have some substance. The word from 1818 Chophouse, located at 210 S. Buchanan Street in Edwardsville, is that the restaurant’s “pretty sure, but we haven’t signed anything yet” about adding a second location in the new building.
BaiKu is Back
BaiKu Sushi Lounge, housed in the Hotel Ignacio in midtown but closed since January 21 due to structural renovations at the hotel, reopens on April 26. It will feature new executive sushi chef Eliott Harris, who’s familiar on the local food scene as the former sushi consultant for Central Table Food Hall, operator of sushi food truck Chop Shop STL, and former executive chef at now-closed Miso on Meramec, which was owned by BaiKu owner Brad Beracha. Joining Harris is renowned chef Kenji Nemoto, who was instrumental to the success of Sekisui on S. Grand. BaiKu's “official” grand reopening will be May 21.
I Am Curious (Blue)
Senn Bierwerks recently revealed its future location in University City: 7793 Olive, near the intersection of Olive and North & South. Its footprint is significant for multiple reasons: It will cover the former location of Arcade Lanes, the legendary second-floor bowling alley that burned down in 2003, after 60 years in business. Nearby was the longtime home of a 9-0-5 liquor store. And the building on the southwest corner, which now houses Wei Hong Seafood Restaurant, was at one time the Fine Arts Theatre, probably the only adult-movie theatre ever to be owned by a Catholic archdiocese.The brewery is slated to open next year.
