Mamas on the Hill. STL people don't need to be walked through the other courses before dessert-although well prepared.
This specialty dessert was such an unusual pairing of a fruit and creamy sorbet/gelato/ice cream- tasted most like ice cream to me- it is blogworthy. The Limoncello didn't overwhelm and brought together the peaches and cream aspects in an unexpected way. More please.
This is a STL restaurant which only exists in your mind. Or if you are a dinner guest of the Castro family of Creve Coeur.
Sra.Castro made everything by and with a loving hand. The tapas style appetizer was a platter of what resembled refried beans but were actually mashed small red beans served upon a thick homemade Salvadorean style tortilla served in pita like wedges...just better. Accompaniements included queso fresco, fresh avocado slices and an amazeballs creamy chimichurri sauce like you've never likely tasted. Score for the cocktail hour.
Dinner. Pork loin stuffed two ways both tender moist and delicious. One with a dried fruit and the other a more garlicky filling. If that weren't enough a gravy boat teeming with a marsala mushroom "salsa" (sauce) I'm still thinking about.
Sides. Sauteed plantains, tostones (fried yuca) and a red bean and rice blend served casserole style were perfect sides for the pork loin. A simple heart of palm salad was also served. Plus a whole caddy of sauces which served as condiments- as if anything needed more flavor.
Mr.Castro poured wine as host and their charming daughter made sure we ended our meal sipping Rum Chata on ice.
Reservations are rarely extended so I believe Cocina Castro will have to be a virtual experience for most of you-I only hope the pictures do Ana's hard work justice!
A chain from Texas, Cantina Laredo is upscale Mexican. Delish cocktails like blood orange or white honey sangria served with chips and two salsas -one heated and more spicy and the other -chilled, milder but lotsa herbs!
I had enchilada de cangrejo -Rich lump Crabmeat with a chile arbol cream sauce served with sides of sauteed zucchini and rice. My friend had tacos de barbacoa which is slow roasted brisket served on steamed corn tortillas -"street taco" style.
This is not Tex Mex at all. Just another delicious interpretation of Mexican food now in Clayton!
Ok this could have fed two as the dish was loaded with tender pork chunks, chicken and an amazing sausage seasoned with fennel. Even the traditional bed of white beans was exceptionally well seasoned, bordering on spicy. No better choice on the night of the first snowfall. Cassoulet is also a seasonal offering at BLF. Hearty!
Light as air dough around a gruyere filling. Not on the regular menu what a delight. Sorry their French name escapes me now but the server described them as cheese puffs so let's go with that!
Princess cake illustrated layer by layer. My love affair with this Swedish masterpiece began in 1990s while living in Los Angeles. Readily available at L.A.'s Farmers Market (their Soulard Market), this became an obsession only when I relocated and discovered how hard it is to find across this country. Yes our new Ikea next year may have a single serve version in their cafeteria. Same idea but short in execution.
In any event here it is and if anyone knows a STL bakery making Princess cake, I'm "all ears".
Imported from Italy, great vegetarian choices like eggplant and buffalo mozzarella with a drizzle of chili oil or potato and mushroom (suggestion: add some sour cream to finish).
Bake after you thaw at 475 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes, the crust is like pizza "back East". I found these at Schnucks for $4.99.
Five meats- Sausage with cheese bits, Roast turkey, Brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Normally accompanied by two sides we wrangled a third at no charge for my father's 83!rd birthday. If this platter was not enough for two men, they also gifted my dad with a "brick" of bacon apple pie for dessert
Unusually great beef sliders from Siam in the Grove. This newly formed resto/bar hasn't quite caught on as a place to dine. Asian leaning apps and rolls dominate. Great happy hour prices 4 to 7 pm.
Cream cake with strawberries, flourless chocolate cake. tiramusu and chocolate dipped lace cookies make a great assortment after dinner for you and a guest
Apricot and Fig jam cream cheese on multi grain toast. Egg casserole with bacon and cheddar topping and fruit bowl to round out your plate. Can feed two light eaters for $10. Try that at St. Louis Bread Co.
By using ice cubes as an ingredient, they change the flavor profile of the drink as they melt. e.g. use ice cubes made of tea into a glass of carbonated lemonade and vodka. As the tea melts, you have an Arnold Palmer.
Source: "Gentlemen's Guide to Drinking Well in Las Vegas". Yahoo travel.
Hand crafted cocktails like a New Old Fashioned and a Blue Grey Fizz. Well done sir!
Popcorn with Sesame oil, Ginger and Chives plus another with Green tea and honey. Not your Dad's tavern popcorn. Drinks on their way.
Empanadas with tasty fillings like black bean and beef and Mexican/Asian fusion, a vegetarian option. I had one stuffed with spicy chicken and raisins. Then the American pies for dessert like Strawberry and Blueberry. Yum.
Finally three entrees served on small plates and grouped sensibly. Surf and turf shown. Lobster risotto. Beef medallions topped with crab. Prosciutto Shrimp. More like a chef's table than any tapas you're thinking about. Brilliant.
This is not hash as you know it. Braised pork belly instead of corned beef. Sauteed brussel sprouts and cubed lightly fried potatoes make a base for two well seasoned over easy eggs. Then the omelette. Peppers mushroom cheese inside three fluffy eggs topped with caramelized onions. Same cubed potatoes as the hash accompanied the omelette. Simple yet well executed. Yum yum.
Fiesta with buckwheat and Migas with white flour crepe. More Cisco de mayo than Independence day!
Lavendar latte @ rise but sourced from Kakao.Introduced yesterday, get here now.
Pimms Smashed, Hendricks Gin, Pimms, BlackBerry Gastritis, Prosecco Float, Thanks Megan M
"The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star" Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French lawyer and epicurean
Amazing "big boy" lunch@ Hendricks 1200 Main Street, St Charles. Choose your favorite meat, three sides, includes a small dessert and tea for $10.95! Brisket, skillet potatoes, green beans and slaw shown. Texas style room and hospitality.Amazing value!
Great time with my SAL co workers, I'll let the pics speak for themselves
