Three Tidbits: Urban Chestnut's packs benefit pets, Pastaria is peachy, beef up skimpy protein portions

St. Louis Magazine dining editor George Mahe discusses topical dining subjects.

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INSIDER TIP

Eat Pizza, Drink Beer, Save Pets

For the fourth consecutive year, Purina and Urban Chestnut have teamed up to raise money for local animal shelters. The offering this summer is the Urban Underdog Dinner Pack, consisting of a take ‘n’ bake cheese or pepperoni pizza, a four-pack of Urban Underdog American Lager, one bag of Purina Beggin’ Strips, and a limited-edition Urban Underdog can koozie. From August 1 through September 30, for every Urban Underdog Dinner Pack sold, Purina will donate $10 to the Petfinder Foundation to help local shelter pets and the organizations that assist them. Urban Underdog Dinner Packs (priced at $25 and $28) can be ordered online or picked up at UCBC’s Grove Brewery & Bierhall. Purina will also donate $1 for each can of Urban Underdog American Lager sold at participating food and/or beverage establishments in Missouri. 4465 Manchester, 314-222-0143.

HOT SPOT

Peach Pie at Pastaria

Sometimes a menu description or Instagram photo stops you in your tracks and captures your attention. Such was the case last week when one of our favorite pizza haunts, Pastaria, took advantage of a haul of fresh peaches from Eckert’s Country Store & Farms. In a prior week, pastry chef Mason Cooksy presented a Peaches n’ Cream Panna Cotta. Last week, executive chef Brian Moxey topped a Neapolitan pizza with burrata, red onion, jalapeño, pecorino romano, oregano, and sliced peaches, which was available through the weekend, and hopefully beyond. Keep your phone handy: Moxey’s peach pie is worthy of an Insta post. (And keep your eye on Pastaria's SM...Eckert's peaches will be in house for the next several weeks.) 7734 Forsyth, 314-862-6603.

MICRORANT

Skimpy Sandwich Portions

While we hardly expect a Katz's Deli-esque sandwich from a large-scale chain sandwich shop for $5, we do expect at least a proper balance of ingredients when we’re forking over considerably more cash. Prices are rising, granted, but when the hoagie barely pushes 6 inches, the portions are skimpy and poorly proportioned, and the tally is north of $10, it’s time the respective eatery reevaluates its sandwich program and assembly process.

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