Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
The versatile Balaban’s is many things to many people: wine store, wine bar, wine club, happy-hour hangout, gift shop, wine-dinner destination, source for vintage wines, and a special event space that just so happens to deliver excellent American fare at lunch, dinner, and brunch. Chef D. Scott Phillips’ artistic touch is evident in such dishes as grilled cobia, an underappreciated fish served atop brown rice and quinoa with grilled asparagus, a chiffonade of summer squash, and a crown of heirloom-tomato chutney. Decades ago, the flagship Balaban’s, in the Central West End, exemplified fine dining. Today, its West County descendant is a worthy successor. 1772 Clarkson, 636-449-6700, balabanswine.com.
