2009 in Review: February

​​February was a big month here at Gut Check International Headquarters, as we rolled out our first new columns written by freelance writers: The Noble Writ, Java Enabled, The Sneak, The Dive Bomber and Throwback of the House. It was also a big month for Gut Check favorite Pappy's Smokehouse, which celebrated its first birthday by going whole hog. Literally. The rest of the month in review after the jump.

News

Gut Check's makes Digg's webcast....The Red Rocker opens a restaurant....Three St. Louis chefs are semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards: Gerard Craft of Niche, Josh Galliano of Monarch and Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Café....Niche's Craft announces that the bake shop Veruca will become Taste by Niche....RFT favorite In Soo is no longer owned by In Soo Jung....Which fact Tom Finkel mourns....Seafood emporium McCormick & Schmick's opens in Des Peres....The Travel Channel's Man v. Food visits Pappy's Smokehouse, Iron Barley and Crown Candy Kitchen.

WTF?

Blueberry Hill celebrates Lincoln's birthday with the Gettysburger....Ronald Reagan's love of jelly beans marks President's Day....Should coffee houses restrict laptop users?

Reviews

Sugo's Spaghetteria
Herbie's Vintage 72
The Good Pie
Taqueria el Jalapeño