Under-the-radar changes in the DeMun neighborhood

Barrio restructures, Sasha’s rooftop deck nearing completion, Seedz Café gets a parklet, and more

by

One of the quaintest areas in Clayton, DeMun has experienced some noteworthy—but under-the-radar—changes recently. 

Most noticeably, Barrio, the successor to DeMun Oyster Bar, has ceased day-to-day operations, effective last week. Spanish for "neighborhood," Barrio served sharable Mexican food and was open for 16 months. Owner Alan Richman says the venue is currently available for private events while he decides on the best use of the prime corner real estate.

Richman, who also owns nearby Sasha’s Wine Bar, says he’s focused on getting the wine bar's 50-seat rooftop deck and adjacent event space ready for the fall patio season. Accessible via an exterior stairway (still under construction), the space will have a separate rooftop kitchen and menu.

Last year, the City of Clayton installed its roving “parklet” in front of Sasha’s, with hopes that Richman would build his own if it was successful. It was, and he did, adding an additional 20 public seats to the popular sidewalk patio. (Meanwhile, the parklet is now parked in front of Seedz Café, a vegan restaurant located just off of DeMun).

How Sweet Is This, the tiny candy shop (named one of “America’s 50 Best Candy Stores” by Food Network Magazine) plans to serve is 30-flavor selection of shaved ice cups for at least another month, but hedges its prediction: “Let’s be real: This is St. Louis, so if it’s crazy hot, we will keep it going.”

There’s never not something new at Clementine’s Naughty & Nice Creamery. Strawberry with Lemon Curd Swirl ice cream was introduced a month ago, and Soursop Sorbet (a vegan sorbet containing soursop, the South American fruit that tastes somewhere between a pear and an apple) is on the rail now.

Kaldi's has been the DeMun neighborhood's gathering place for the past 25 years. To celebrate its milestone anniversary, the company created a special 25th anniversary coffee blend. And just in time for summer, it released Kaldi's Cold Brew in cans. Both have been popular sellers at the flagship location, which is open until 10 p.m. every night but Sunday.

Louie, occupying part of the former Jimmy's Cafe space, no longer serves lunch, according to owner Matt McGuire, but not for lack of business. “My intention was to work both shifts,” says McGuire, “and I could have easily done that 15 years ago. Today, my body is telling me otherwise.”  

Sign up for St. Louis Magazine's 'Dining In' and 'Dining Out' newsletters to keep up with the latest in the local restaurant and culinary scene.
Or, check out all of our newsletters.