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.
What's New at Westport
As first reported by SLM's own George Mahe, Westport Social will soon be opening in the booming Westport Plaza. And as indicated in a recent press release designed to attract 70 workers for opening day, “soon” now equals September 5. The space will comprise a 12,500-square-foot restaurant and “game bar,” the latter translating to bocce ball, shuffleboard, basketball, darts, and something called Snookball (a hybrid of soccer and billiards).
Craft Spirits & Cocktails
With St. Louis Craft Beer Week crawling to a close, it’s time to look forward to the lesser-known but much higher-proof St. Louis Craft Spirits and Cocktail Celebration, Sept. 9–17. Seventeen local microdistilleries will participate in events spread among 13 restaurants, bars, and shops. Organized by Square One Brewery & Distillery, the kickoff cocktail party ($30 per person) will be held at Lafayette Park on Saturday, September 9, from 6 to 9 p.m. (And a special shout-out to StilL 630, which will be releasing its first five-year whiskey on Saturday, September 16.)
Muslim Meals
Although the number of restaurants featuring the cuisines of predominantly Muslim countries or regions has been steadily growing, it’s not a stretch to say that a huge swath of locals don’t have a clue what “Muslim food” is. That swath will shrink somewhat next Sunday, August 13, when the Missouri chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations co-hosts the inaugural Great Muslim Cook-Off & Food Festival from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. in the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park. (And if you want to submit your own dish into the competitive part of the event, it’s $10 per plate.)
