From Café Natasha to The Gin Room: Hear the Bahrami’s heartfelt story on ‘Arch Eats’

Courtesy Natasha Bahrami

Courtesy Natasha Bahrami

The St. Louis restaurant community may know her as the matriarch of the beloved late restaurant, Café Natasha, but for many, Hamishe Bahrami is “mom.” On this special Mother’s Day edition of Arch Eats, George and Cheryl sit down with the beloved restaurant mom and her daughter, The Gin Room and Salve Osteria’s Natasha Bahrami, to talk about what it was like raising a child in the restaurant industry, what sort of wisdom she imparted along the way, and what she’s been up to since closing Cafe Natasha in 2022. They also learn from Natasha what it was like growing up in the business, what she learned from Hamishe, and how she felt sharing her mom with the rest of St. Louis. Have your tissues ready for this heartfelt episode. Listen and follow Arch Eats on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

Natasha:  From the moment I was under three years old, I was working with them and doing whatever that was, and then put on the register and then in the kitchen, and then the rest is history.

Cheryl: There was no escaping, Natasha. There was no way you were getting out of this business.

George: And you must have done so well that somebody named a restaurant after you. So, congratulations.

Natasha: They didn’t tell me that! They made a decision without talking to me, so I got to find out what it meant to have a name on a restaurant. I was 13 when they opened Cafe Natasha Delmar.

This episode of Arch Eats is sponsored by Westport Plaza and supported by South Grand. The Porter Apartments are Westport Plaza’s first luxury apartment complex. This modern community offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom residences and premium amenities, including a resort-style pool, gaming lounge, fitness center, a pet park, and more. Explore leasing options.

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Mentioned in this episode:

• Café Natsaha, 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove South
• The Gin Room, 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove South, 314-771-3411.
• Salve Osteria, 3200 S. Grand, Tower Grove South, 314-771-3411.
• Monstera Mezcaleria, 3194 S. Grand, Tower Grove South, 314-769-9933.
• New Society (downstairs at Monstera Mezcaleria): 3194 S. Grand, Tower Grove South
• 16.05 Chartreuse Celebration, May 14-16

You may also enjoy these SLM articles:

• More episode of Arch Eats
• The Gin Room named to 50 Best’s “50 Best Discovery” list
• The Gin Room nominated for 2023 Best Spirits Selection
• St. Louis Business 500: Q&A with Natasha Bahrami, The Gin Room and Salve Osteria
• Owners of Café Natasha, closing April 30, hint at new concept planned for the space (Published 2022)