Blogs

A busy day on the local restaurant scene. Sauce broke the news this morning that Brian Hale has left Monarch for the Chase Park Plaza. I just got off the phone with Monarch co-owner Jeff Orbin, who confirmed the news.

Orbin wanted to clear up one rather important detail: Monarch has not named a new executive chef. The restaurant hopes to announce its selection in the coming weeks. Matt McGuire of the late King Louie's is joining the staff, as Sauce reported, but as a general manager. Orbin explains that, in that position, with his kitchen background, McGuire will be able to bring the front and back of houses closer together.

Also, as Sauce reported, the Monarch ownership team of Orbin and Aaron Teitelbaum are closing in on a deal to take over the old Balaban's space -- as Balaban's. More details on that to follow.

- Ian Froeb

The Buffalo Wild Wings grand opening in St. Peters today was about more than just free wings for a year to the first 100 people in line.

It was also about bonding over a collective love of chicken wings.

Austin Hughes rests after partying on the sidewalk all night long, while reserving his spot in line for free wings.

More

As you might have heard, chef Andy White has left Off the Vine (2605 Hampton Avenue). Fans of White should check out STL Bites for word of where the chef is headed next.

- Ian Froeb

Executives from the food industry are set to testify before Congress today. Food safety is on the agenda, and increased regulation just might be on the table. (New York Times)

Disputes over agricultural policy -- specifically: the desire of both China and India to protect domestic farmers -- has caused world-trade talks to collapse. (New York Times)

The threat of famine remains in North Korea. (Guardian)

- Ian Froeb

The investigation into the cause of the recent salmonella outbreak may finally be reaching a conclusion: The FDA has traced salmonella to a Mexican farm producing serrano peppers.

- Ian Froeb

My review of Fumanchu is now available online. Click here to read. The Gut Check column, which brings the dead-tree readers up to speed on Downtown Restaurant Week and the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards.

- Ian Froeb

An appeals court breathes new life into the FTC's efforts to block the merger of Whole Foods and Wild Oats. (Reuters)

The full city council of Los Angeles passes a moritorium on new fast-food restaurants in part of the city. (AP)

The story of a farmer kicked out of multiple farmers' markets for selling meat he didn't raise himself. Interesting article -- not as cut and dry as you might suspect. (New York Times)

- Ian Froeb

Is Mike Johnson the hardest-working man in the St. Louis restaurant business? Well, consider this: Fumanchu, the chef-restaurateur’s new spot in downtown Maplewood -- where he has already established Boogaloo and El Scorcho -- is not quite three months old, yet he has already opened another restaurant, Bici Café, in University City. If he started another venture or two in the week between me writing this and you reading it?

Wouldn't surprise me.

This week I visit Maplewood's Fumanchu. Check back here tomorrow to see what I think.

- Ian Froeb

This video is making the viral rounds this week. I've gotten a half-dozen Google alerts on it since yesterday. It's pretty much the greatest thing ever. Safe for work, but maybe not your appetite.

Via Boing Boing:

There are a bunch more of these on YouTube. I think this needs to be a regular feature.

- Ian Froeb

A new FTC report finds that food firms aim $1.6 billion in ads at kids. (AP)

An interesting article on a new restaurant built by "crowd-sourcing" -- like open-source software, but for a new business. (Washington Post)

Meet the shrew that lives on beer -- and doesn't get drunk. (Wired)

- Ian Froeb

If you're in the Delmar Loop and have a hankering for Thai food -- well, for the time being you have only three options. Thai Country Cafe (6223 Delmar Boulevard) is temporarily closed for renovations, according to the signs posted on the restaurant's windows and front door. Still open -- and all, along with Thai Country Cafe, owned by Supatana "Pat" Prapaisilapa -- are Thai Cafe, Thai Gai Yang Cafe and Thai Pizza Co.

- Ian Froeb

RFT staff writer Aimee Levitt and her cat, Bess, embark on a culinary adventure.

My cat Bess is a magnificent animal. Others may not agree, but they are irrevocably prejudiced against cats. I will grant that her wit and intelligence and sweetness of disposition appear only sporadically, most often when she and I are alone, but, when she feels like turning on the charm, her furry little face and big green eyes can melt the hardest of hearts. But my Bess has a strength of character that most of us can only dream of and scorns most social graces, most notably pretending to be fond of people she hates, like the vet.

Bess may be uncompromising in social situations, but where food is concerned, she is fairly easygoing. For most of the nine years we have lived together she has dined on Purina One Cat Chow (Salmon and Tuna Flavor, when we can get it, or Turkey) with nary a complaint. We adopted the Purina when she was a kitten on the advice of her nemesis, the vet, and she has enjoyed good health ever since, plus a glossy coat and a little belly that jogs endearingly from side to side on the rare occasions when she runs.

Lately, though, Bess has seemed discontented with her kibbles.

What to do? The answer after the jump...

More

Simply Fondue (1629 Locust Street) has closed. The Loft District restaurant opened last June. The following message is posted on its Web site:

We'd like to thank our customers for their support and patronage. We regret to say that we have closed permanently. We've enjoyed being a part of the downtown area and hope that the area continues to grow.

- Ian Froeb

California will be the first state to ban transfats from restaurants and baked goods. (Los Angeles Times)

A congressman investigating the FDA's response to food-safety issues says producers must allow stricter record-keeping methods. (AP)

A new study finds that soy products could reduce sperm count. (The Age)

- Ian Froeb

Gut Check recommends three ways you won't go hungry this weekend.

Is it just me, or have we entered the summer doldrums? Maybe I'm still suffering a spiritual hangover from being at last night's ballgame. Yeowch.

1. Tomorrow night Slow Food St. Louis hosts its Art of Food benefit at Mad Art Gallery (2727 South 12th Street). Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. More details here and, as I mentioned in this week's blog digest, at STL Bites.

More after the jump...

More