Seasoned chef? Check. Innovative manager? Check. Sophisticated menu? Check. Brick-and-mortar restaurant? Hmm...not quite. But that small detail isn't stopping the crew at VISTA Ramen from bringing their much-anticipated Asian fare to the eager mouths of hungry St. Louisans.
Starting October 5th, Brennan's upstairs apartment-style hangout, The Maryland House, will play host to VISTA's first-come, first-served Ramen Residency every Monday in October from 6 to 10pm (or until there's nothing left to serve) while their 36-seat Cherokee Street restaurant space gets its finishing touches. (Check out our interview back in August with VISTA partners Bork and Mud House owners Casey and Jeremy Miller.)
So what's the motivation behind this month-long residency? Chef Chris Bork (right) fills us in.
"There's a couple things motivating us. I guess the main one is to get feedback on the food. It also allows all of us (Aaron, Casey, Jeremy and myself) to work in a restaurant setting together. It's been a while since we've done that. It will allow customers to get a small glimpse of what we are about—from the food to the service."
Beverage guru and manager Aaron Stovall is still finalizing the drink list for the residency series, "But it'll include several different beers, sakes, wines and Japanese whiskey," he says. And "maaaaaybe some soju."
The food options will change each week, but October 5th's offerings are as follows. All are priced between $7 and $15:
•LOBSTER RAMEN
shrimp cake, scallion, furikake, fennel, egg
•SHOYU RAMEN
chashu pork, scallion, egg, furikake, pea shoots
•KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN
Hawaiian sweet roll, pickles, mayo
•THAI SAUSAGE
butter lettuce, sweet chili sauce, basil
•CUCUMBER & TOFU
lime, ginger, culantro
•MILK & COOKIES
miso and white chocolate cookies, peanut milk
VISTA Ramen Residency
Mondays in October (5, 12, 19, 26) No reservations —walk-ins only
6–10 p.m.
The Maryland House (above Brennan's)
4659 Maryland
314-361-9444
