MICRORANT
Prix-Fixe Menu Substitutions
Chances are you’re looking at a menu has been pored over for days or longer. Every course, every ingredient, has been debated, paired, and tested. That’s what fine-dining chefs do. And in respect of the finished product, said menu clearly states “Sorry, no substitutions.” Deletions are fine, if doable—chefs get that—but to wheedle, cajole, and insist--in an attempt to add, tinker, and change things up--is an affront to the individual you chose to pay homage to on this particular evening. If you do not care for the prix fixe menu, then do not order the prix fixe menu. Simply order à la carte. We already know you want your salad dressing served on the side.
HOT SPOT
Cookin’ in Cottleville
Ever since the debut of Stone Soup Cottage in 2008, the city of Cottleville suddenly appeared on StL’s official foodie map. When the tiny burg got its own microbrewery a few years later (Exit 6 Brewery, where the slogan is “If you saw it on a commercial…We don’t have it”), the local hopheads jumped in their cars. Now there’s Plank Road Pizza, Rack House West Winery, a unique concept called Se7en Cupcakes and Martinis, and the crown jewel of the newcomers, VB Chocolate Bar, the hidden-but-oh-so-worth-it cubby that’s way more than the name implies. When owner Conor VanBuskirk created his most recent ice cream flavor—Kyoto Bourbon Cocoa Nib—someone told him “you can just quit making ice cream now because you’ve achieved nirvana.” We tasted it and will gladly drive back for more--even in the middle of February.
INSIDER INFO
One Eggcellent Dish
We have a new contender for Best New Breakfast Dish, folks: Eggs+Greens from Blueprint Coffee on the Delmar Loop. We know what you’re thinking…Blueprint only serves toast, jams, spreads, some random pastries, and killer coffee. It’s all that and a bag of fair trade coffee beans. Recently, several savory breakfast items have been added, but honestly, we can’t wait to return for that perfectly poached egg atop a potato/veggie hash. The mustard cream sauce was spot on--even the garnish was a work of art. 6225 Delmar, 314-266-6808
