After two decades in the industry, restaurant veteran Christy Hall recently branched out on her own, opening Firefly Grill in the former Wild Horse Grill space (101 Chesterfield Towne Center) in Chesterfield this summer.
The Menu
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The restaurant features freshly prepared, creative takes on American pub classics. Take, for instance, the STL Hot Chicken Sandwich, made with hand-breaded chicken and a house-made firefly seasoning that executive chef Matt Drerup describes as being akin to Red Hot Riplets. The same seasoning coats the hand-cut fries and several other items. Other options include Fisherman’s Stew (cod, shrimp, mussels, scallops, white wine tomato broth, grilled baguette) and Short Rib Ragu (braised short rib, arugula, red sauce, pappardelle pasta). The steaks and fish are all hand-cut, and the dressings, sauces, and seasonings are made in house.
A full bar offers wines from around the globe and local brews. Front-of-house manager Garrett Dieckhaus designed the extensive cocktail menu, which features martinis, margaritas, sangrias, and classics.
The Atmosphere
The window-lined space still features many of the elements synonymous with the prior Wild Horse Grill: wood-paneled floors, stone pillars, a gas fireplace. The walls have been painted robin-egg blue, and there are new tables and chairs, as well as a marble-patterned bar top. Outside, there’s also a dog-friendly patio.
Hall hopes to create a family-friendly atmosphere. In fact, Dieckhaes says he considers Hall a mother figure of sorts, after working together since he was 16 years old. “It’s not just me,” says Dieckhaus. “She takes everybody who works for her in as one of her own.”
Hall herself has been in the food industry since she was just 15. Her solo venture began last October, though the restaurant’s name came later, with the sentiment being to “let the light shine on,” she says. “Everything I dreamed of doing on my very own is what I’m accomplishing here.”
