St. Louis Food Blog

Robin Wheeler

Steven Caravelli's Gnocchi with Truffled Bacon Jus

​Well, it's October, finally. Too bad it's a month late. Ah, well. This would be a great weekend to stop by Citygarden, if you haven't already, and maybe grab a bite to eat at the Terrace View, the subject of my review this week. Or, if you're in the mood for pizza, maybe try Bono's Pizzeria, which Josh profiled in this week's Stuck to My Ribs. Or, if this week's Chef's Choice profile enticed you, you can visit Steven Caravelli at Sleek.

Or you could just watch Monty Python clips on YouTube all weekend. What else happened this week?

The Noble Writ urged you to have fun with wine.

The Sneak provided a map to suit all your sneaking needs.

Throwback of the House "celebrated" "Scandinavian" cuisine.

For the first time, the Novice Foodie enjoyed a cheesesteak.

The Beertender suggest beers for autumn.

Farmers' Market Share loves leafy greens -- and so should you.

The Dive Bomber learned Twitter and Super's Bungalow Beer Garden don't mix.

Java Enabled judged the Midwest Regional Barista Competition.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

​Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

I get strange stuff in the mail: http://pic.gd/56d561
1:30 PM Nov 2nd

Well, I can cross Vietnamese-style congealed pork blood off the list of things I haven't eaten.
2:47 PM Nov 3rd

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In this week's edition, learn about chef Kevin Nashan's autumn pork-belly dish at Sidney Street Cafè, a baklava class at Dierberg's and the new Sammy Scott's Sandwiches & More.

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Kelli Best-Oliver

​Did Gut Check have Halloween covered this week? Of course, we did! I suggest some cheap and easy food-related costumes, the Sneak helped you plan for the zombie apocalypse, the Novice Foodie showed you how to make your own candy corn, and Farmers' Market Share made a terrifyingly purple cauliflower soup.

What else did we do this week?

Throwback of the House bridged the generations with poke cake.

The Beertender honored Henry Herbst and St. Louis brewing history.

Drink of the Week enjoyed a pot of tea at the London Tea Room.

Java Enabled previewed the Midwest Regional Barista Competition.

The Dive Bomber heard a dirty joke at Just One More Time.

A Table for How Many? enjoyed the soul food at Yummies.

The Sweet Scout tried gluten-free sweets.

A visit with Vince Valenza at Blues City Deli and a recipe for his muffuletta sandwich.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

​Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

When I heard about the "zombie attack" at an Iowa City restaurant, I thought, "Must've been Pancheros." And, yup, it was. #iowacity
9:56 AM Oct 27th

For non #iowacity types, in the realm of faux burritos, chipotle > qdoba > pancheros. but it's open late in a college town. also: zombies.
10:03 AM Oct 27th

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In this week's edition, learn about the "Pink Plate" specials to benefit breast-cancer research at Eleven Eleven Mississippi and Vin de Set, a blind-tasting dinner by Gerard Craft of Niche to benefit the Contemporary Art Museum and the new round of Cicero's famed beer school.

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Sign up for Tip of the Tongue here.

Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, learn what's tasty and healthy at the Nepalese and Korean restaurant Everest, a pumpkin contest at Mockingbird Market and a reading for the book Forking Fantastic! Put the Party Back in Dinner Party.

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Waldo Jaquith, Wikimedia Commons

​News broke this week that Balaban's would return -- in Chesterfield, as a tapas bar and wine shop -- but the comeback that excited us most around here was that of Drink of the Week, now written by Alicia Lohmar. If you haven't yet, do check it out.

Oh -- and if you haven't yet viewed the videos for the cheese curry noodles or the deep-fried butter, you're missing primo zaniness.

What else occupied our time during this chilly, rainy week?

October baseball caused Throwback of the House to choke nearly as bad as the Cards did.

The Sneak pondered whether Persephone was the original Sneak.

The Noble Writ continued his study of port.

The Novice Foodie got lost in translation at Jay's International.

Java Enabled paid a visit to the tiny town of Monserrate.

The Beertender celebrated the changing of the seasons with oatmeal stout.

Farmers' Market Share still isn't tired of sunchokes.

The Dive Bomber enjoyed some me-time at Pepper's Bar & Grill.

A Table for How Many? suggested a trip to Taqueria la Monarca.

Chef's Choice visited with Jeff Constance of the new Hanley's Grille and Tap.

That's it for this week. Next week: A trio of Mexican restaurants and much, much more.

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

Coworker: "That [picture] looks like vomit." Yep, it's Editing Throwback of the House Time!
11:05 AM Oct 12th

What we learned this weekend: Do not go to dinner in Soulard at same time as ballgame, Oktoberfest and haunted house. (Dinner v. good tho.)
11:22 AM Oct 12th

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In this week's edition, learn about the rabbit pappardelle at RFT favorite Atlas and how the town of Hermann celebrates October.

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​A colleague suggests an addition to today's list of ballplayer-branded foods: Matt "Butterfingers" Holliday.

Ouch.

Yes. It has been a gloomy couple of days around here -- St. Louis, I mean, not Gut Check International Headquarters, though we're still a bit misty-eyed over the closing of Gourmet -- but that didn't keep us from another busy week. Here is just some of what we did...

Throwback of the House had a rare success, thanks to the Brits' love of beanz.

Macbeth challenged the Sneak.

The Noble Writ celebrated port, while my own encounter with the drink didn't go as well.

The Novice Foodie ate at the chef's table at Monarch.

The Beertender wanted you to know about hops; Java Enabled taught you about "typical" coffee.

Farmers' Market Share made winter squash muffins.

The Dive Bomber met the Antichrist.

We met Vito Racanelli and learned how to make his mother's chicken and rice.

Stuck to the Ribs doesn't like coffee, but he loves Murdoch Perk.

That's it for this week. Next week: The return of Drink of the Week and much, much more.

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

apparently, the MLB divisional playoffs are sponsored by hass avocados?
9:27 PM Oct 7th

Wow. Hass avocados have their own in-game sponsored thingamajig. The Hass Avocado Big Hit. (Kemp's HR last night if you're wonderin'.)
5:22 PM Oct 8th

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Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, learn about the good eats at the Soulard Oktoberfest, the Slow Food St. Louis trivia night and pastry chef Gale Gand's visit to town.

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​Another week, another new column. (Just one more new column to introduce, by the way.) We welcomed the Beertender this week. Check it out, if you haven't already. We also heard news on Niche and Pi, paid a visit to Anthony Devoti of Five and celebrated the St. Louis Rams waiting tables and the first Midtown Street Fest with pictures.

Oh -- and there was that whole Best of St. Louis 2009 thing.

What else happened this week?

Throwback of the House said to hell with it and microwaved aluminum foil.

A rare failure for the Sneak.

The Noble Writ doesn't believe in great vintages.

The Novice Foodie conquered apple pie.

Farmers' Market Share also cooked with apples, Indian-style.

Java Enabled shared a postcard from Costa Rica.

The Dive Bomber got a lesson at Hilltop Inn.

A Table for How Many visited the Shaved Duck.

Sweet Scout discovered many new flavors of gooey butter cake.

That's it for this week. Next week: An overdue review and much more.

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

Dude has had 5 glasses of port before entree!?!
9:40 PM Sep 26th

Librarian finds bacon bookmark in returned book: http://bit.ly/88br3
9:27 AM Sep 29th

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Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, visit with David Bailey of Baileys' Chocolate Bar and Rooster as he preps for Taste of St. Louis and learn about a new location of The Cupcakery.

Subscribing is easy. Visit this page, enter your e-mail address and sign up for Tip of the Tongue as well as (if you wish) our weekly music and events newsletters.

​Huzzah! It's finally here: The Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis 2009. Click on the previous link to visit the main page for our annual celebration of all things St. Louis. You can also take shortcuts to the Restaurants and Food & Drink categories. (Though you will find food and drink winners in some of the other categories as well.) Enjoy!

Hey! Here, via Serious Eats, is footage of a rabbit eating some parsley:



Awesome, no? Here's what we did this week at Gut Check International Headquarters:

Throwback of the House made "barbecue" with Spam.

We shared photos from Schlafly's Hop in the City.

More restaurants in old fast-food buildings.

The Sneak went to the drive-in.

The Noble Writ loves zinfandel; I love Guinness.

The Novice Foodie learned how to roll her own sushi.

Java Enabled named the rest of his Best of St. Louis Coffee.

Farmers' Market Share made a winter squash napoleon.

The Dive Bomber visited Mary's Blue Ribbon Lounge.

Chef's Choice visited with Matt Herren of 222 Artisan Bakery.

Stuck to My Ribs visited Joe Fassi Sausage and Sandwich Factory.

That's it for this week. Next Week: The Best of St. Louis 2009!

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

just had iced coffee at banh mi so #1 -- anyone need house painted, car detailed, oven cleaned, lawn mowed...
1:29 PM Sep 19th

blog software thinks it's an hour earlier than it is. this means i can go back to bed, right?
9:37 AM Sep 21st

Adrienne Jones

​Yet another new column joined Gut Check's ranks this week: Sweet Scout. And here I thought things couldn't get more hectic around here, what with Robin Wheeler paying a visit to Wapango pastry chef Mary Harden, Stefani Pollack (with new son Myles in tow) returning with a new A Table for How Many? and yours truly complaining about an undercooked burger.

What else happened this week?

Throwback of the House had some good luck with Nathan's Famous hot dogs -- and some bad.

The Sneak attended a wedding and remembered sneaks past.

The Noble Writ celebrated his comfort wine.

The Novice Foodie offered a primer on prix-fixe dining.

Java Enabled named some of the area's best coffeehouses.

Farmers' Market Share had recipes for peach pound cake and apple honeycake.

The Dive Bomber paid tribute to Patrick Swayze at Killion's Irish Inn.

That's it for this week. Next week: Lots of beer. Lots.

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

had to call in sick to Dorm Room @33wine - grrr. on couch, watching football, might order pizza: just like my real dorm-room experience.
6:05 PM Sep 14th

Work network down. Blog by typewriter?
9:48 AM Sep 15th

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Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, learn about the 35 years of history behind Saleem's West, a Jamaican cooking class at L'Ecole Culinaire and a special Alpine-themed meal at the Melting Pot.

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Robin Wheeler

The Rotten Apple's Jerad Gardner

​Just because it was a short work week doesn't mean we weren't busy. Gut Check debuted two new features this week: Chef's Choice, this week featuring Jerad Gardner of the Rotten Apple in Grafton, Illinois, and the calorie-loving Stuck to My Ribs. Plus, we showed you the top ten raw foods that can actually sustain you.

What else did we do this week?

Throwback of the House was hungry enough to eat Reuben chowder.

The Noble Writ told you to stop blaming sulfites for your wine headache.

The Novice Foodie, inspired by Julie & Julia, made beef bourguignon.

Farmers' Market Share cooked up some haricots verts.

Java Enabled sampled the new LIFT coffee from Southwest Airlines.

The Dive Bomber convened class at Mimi's Subway Bar & Grill.

That's it for this week. Next week: A tuneful restaurant review and much more.

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

Sign up for Tip of the Tongue here.

Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, learn what's new on the menu at the downtown location of Mango, how you can dine out to help Farm Aid and all about the Tenderloin Room's prix-fixe meal.

Subscribing is easy. Visit this page, enter your e-mail address and sign up for Tip of the Tongue as well as (if you wish) our weekly music and events newsletters.

​You're running out of time to cast your vote for Best Mexican Restaurant, Best Sushi Restaurant and numerous other food and drink categories in the Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis 2009 Readers' Poll. Voting ends Monday, September 14. This year you can cast your ballot online only. Click on the link above, register and then choose your favorite restaurants, chefs and dishes -- as well as your favorites in many other non-food categories. Look for the results and our choices on October 1.

It was another fun-filled week here at Gut Check: We looked at some truly twisted cakes, celebrated fast food and generally marveled at an amazing video of an egg being cracked open. No, really, let's just watch that egg video again:

​Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

worst meal in quite a while tonight. where is the gin? must. have. gin.
10:07 PM Aug 29th

Adam Wainwright of #stlcards loves Gut Check favorite Pappy's BBQ, notes @miklasz in today's column http://bit.ly/4Drdjv
3:44 PM Aug 31st

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Gut Check not providing enough dining tidbits for you? Consider subscribing to Tip of the Tongue, the Riverfront Times' weekly e-mail dining newsletter.

In this week's edition, learn about the Greek Festival and Farrar Out Farms' appearance at Schlafly's SLOWednesday event.

Subscribing is easy. Visit this page, enter your e-mail address and sign up for Tip of the Tongue as well as (if you wish) our weekly music and events newsletters.

​Quite a week here, highlighted by the debut of two new columns, the Novice Foodie and Farmer's Market Share. We also celebrated a magazine appearance by Josh Galliano of Monarch, the cooking of Marc Baltes at 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar and things that even bacon can't improve. What else happened this week?

The Sneak snuck solid-state cocktails.

Throwback of the House moved to Monday and brought jellied chicken with her.

The Noble Writ taught you how to decant wine.

Java Enabled discussed the issues facing Ethiopia's Yirgacheffe coffee.

The Dive Bomber gave Doc Haus a polite golf-clap.

That's all for this week. Next week: Mexican fast food and more!

Have a great weekend. Eat something good.

​Don't you know? Gut Check has a Twitter account. You can follow me @gutcheckstl. Here's some of what you missed this week:

@stlbites i should clarify> i agree: marc baltes rocked Dorm Room @33wine
8:37 AM Aug 25th

@stlbites you had leftovers? i did everything short of plant my face in the bowl.
8:52 AM Aug 25th