Cornell Boone spent two years developing All R&B Restaurant & Love (4101 Laclede) in Midtown. The pace reflects the relaxed, unhurried concept of the restaurant and lounge, which will be open for sharable dishes, drinks, and music from Thursdays through Saturdays. A private dining room (available by advance reservation only) will offer a chef-driven culinary experience. Here’s what to expect ahead of the soft opening in late July.
The Atmosphere
As the name suggests, music was Boone’s starting point for All R&B Restaurant & Love. “R&B music integrates with everything, country to gospel to rap,” he explains. “Our vision is to create an upscale dining and lounge experience centered around the timeless culture and connection that R&B music creates.”
Boone and his strategic partner, Antwan Thomas, collaborated on some of the playlists that will set the tone from the moment guests walk in. “We both added some great tracks,” promises Boone, who has a background in the nightlife business, as well as food service and beverage distribution.
The heart of the music lineup will be unique to the local dining scene. A live DJ ensemble featuring musicians will play along with the soft R&B tracks.
Boone chose an intimate space for the concept, with seating for 80 in the main dining area and bar. He drew inspiration from music-driven lounges and intimate venues in such cities as Washington D.C. and Houston.
The décor is dark and elegant, with greens and browns accenting black furnishings and fixtures. Boone’s goal was to create a space where people felt comfortable sitting back and conversing. “We don’t have enough places for just talking,” he says. “All R&B Restaurant & Love can fill that niche.”
The Thursday night mixer Nice to Meet You illustrates what Boone has in mind for events. “The idea is for guests to go up and introduce themselves to one another like in the old days,” Boone says. “It’s our version of speed dating.”
Days and times for the full calendar of events will be shared via the restaurant’s social media.
The Menu
Burger lovers may remember Boone’s previous restaurant, The Corner Street Food, in Midtown. The menu at All R&B Restaurant & Love will be equally approachable, with popular bar foods such as flatbreads and street corn, plus heartier dishes built around salmon and chicken. The chicken wings—“dry rubbed, seasoned, and cooked to perfection”—will be a signature menu item.
Boone has laid out a cocktail program following the same no-frills philosophy. Rather than tying up time and inventory with expensive specialty liquors and fancy garnishes, the focus will be on high-quality, precisely made drinks.
“If you’re going to get a lemon drop, we want it to the be the best lemon drop ever, with the best juices and spirits, so it has a great taste,” he says.
Boone also hinted at creatively crafted versions of traditional drinks, including a brown sugar Old Fashioned, but he wouldn’t give away the ingredients, saying only, “It’s made with love!”
Once day per month, All R&B Restaurant & Love will offer an elaborate pre-paid brunch service with unlimited specialty mimosas.
In keeping with the restaurant’s goal of fostering conversation and connection, there will be only two seatings per day, allowing time for guests to linger.
The Private Dining Experience
Boone has noticed that chef-driven culinary experiences remain popular among a segment of food enthusiasts, but building an entire restaurant concept around fine dining is a hard sell in today’s business environment.
Instead, All R&B Restaurant & Love has opted for a hybrid approach. In the private dining room, guests will be able to custom-build their experience, working with a team of high-profile chefs who have developed menus exclusively for the space. After selecting (and paying for) dishes in advance, guests will arrive for a stress-free meal.
“This model allows us to execute well while controlling costs,” Boone says. “That’s what will set our fine dining apart.”
Additional details about the chefs and menus will be available on the website closer to the late-summer opening date.
Find the best food in St. Louis
Subscribe to the St. Louis Dining In and Dining Out newsletters to stay up-to-date on the local restaurant and culinary scene.
