The northwest corner of Grand and Washington in Grand Center hasn’t been kind to restaurants: Duke’s Restaurant, Wm. Shakespeare's Gastropub, and the recently shuttered Dooley's Beef N Brew House (above) have all occupied the space in recent years.
If there’s an event at Grand Center, nearby restaurants see action (mainly pre-show), but when those venues are dark, that corner can be hit and miss.
Kevin A. Roberts
None of this is lost on Rich LoRusso (right), who says he's been interested in the area for the last five years.
For starters, LoRusso’s on Grand will offer pre-show dining only, opening two-and-a half hours before events at the Fox, Powell Hall, and other Grand Center events.
Two menus will be offered in the two-level space: a prix-fixe menu upstairs (100 seats) and buffet service downstairs (50 seats). The $25-$35 prix fixe dinner will include three courses, with four options per category. “It will be LoRusso’s-style food in a different format,” the chef/owner said. “If they want, guests can be in and out in an hour or so, tops.”
The buffet will be faster and cheaper still. “We were used to doing a buffet at the Muni,” he explained. “People know we do a good job with that. Plus, the Fox used to serve a pre-show buffet and people still ask to bring it back...so we’re bringing it back.” The $24 buffet will include several entrees, plus side dishes, salads, and desserts, "and you can be out as fast as you want to be.”
Another deciding factor was a good lease and favorable rent, which LoRusso said “removed enough risk so the deal really made sense.”
LoRusso has been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager. He opened LoRusso’s Cucina just off the Hill almost 30 years ago, and last year added Leonardo’s Kitchen & Wine Bar, a casual, pizza and sandwich joint on the Hill, at the corner of Macklind and Bischoff.
The 56-year-old chef reminded SLM that there wasn't an upscale restaurant within walking distance of the Fox. "People want to park the car once, have a nice meal, and walk over to the event," he said, "and now they can.”
It’s also significant that LoRusso is the first fine dining restaurateur to take an active interest in the area.
“There are a lot of good things happening now at Grand Center,” LoRusso remarked. “It’s just taken longer than anybody thought.”
Since only minor cosmetic renovations are required, LoRusso says he’ll be able to open in a week or so, “ideally by the Heart concert on December 1.” He's gotta love that, since restaurant redos often take months or even years.
LoRusso's on Grand
601 N. Grand
Grand Center
314-601-3063
Buffet and prix-fixe menus available
Restaurant opens 2.5 hours before select Grand Center event dates
Follow George on Twitter @stlmag_dining or send him an email at gmahe@stlmag.com. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
