Joseph Hemp V, chef of Robust | Ian Froeb

Only a few weeks ago I reviewed the new downtown location of Robust (227 West Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves; 314-963-0033) and (635 Washington Avenue; 314-287-6300). Good thing I didn't wait any longer. Owners Stanley and Arlene Browne are opening a third location of their popular restaurant and wine bar, this one across the river in downtown Edwardsville, Illinois.

See Also:
- Ian Froeb's RFT Review of Robust (2013)
- Adrenaline Junkie Joseph Hemp V of Robust Finds a Home in the Kitchen

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The Daily Meal has ranked "America's Best Ribs" in a slideshow, and three St. Louis restaurants are among the top twenty barbecue joints. Bogart's Smokehouse (1627 South Ninth Street; 314-621-3107) ranks #19, Roper's Ribs (6929 West Florissant Avenue, Jennings; 314-381-6200) is #18, and Pappy's Smokehouse (3106 Olive Street; 314-535-4340) scores the highest at #8.

See Also:
- The Seven Best Barbecue Joints in St. Louis
- "Best Barbecue" 2012: Bogart's Smokehouse

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via Facebook

Some quick-hit opening news from around town.

- Driving South Grand Boulevard the other day, I spotted activity at the former Mikey Moes location at 5535 South Grand, near the intersection with Bates Street. A sign in the front window advertised a new restaurant called Premierz, featuring "American Cuisine & Soul Food." Premierz has established a Facebook page, which doesn't reveal too much more info besides a phone number, 314-932-7408, and a few photos of food, including steak with onion rings and a chicken-and-waffles dish.

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via Facebook

Time to cross another chain off the don't-have-yet list.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a Wichita, Kansas-based chain, will open its first area location at 1365 Jungerman Road in in St. Peters. Though Freddy's is new to St. Louis and its exurbs, the chain already boasts locations throughout Missouri, including Branson and Columbia. According to the Freddy's website, since 2002 the chain has expanded from Wichita to locations in sixteen states, with seven additional states targeted for future openings.

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Mark Lucas of Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium | Jennifer Silverberg

-Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium (1170 South Big Bend Boulevard, Richmond Heights; 314-932-5414) will open a second location in Des Peres.

Hat tip to George Mahe of St. Louis Magazine, who broke the news. The new edition of the wildly -- and, in this critic's estimation, deservedly -- popular Fozzie's will be located at 11656 Manchester Road.

Lucas tells Gut Check that the new space will be much bigger than the cramped original, with about 1,400 square feet and projected seating for 40. Lucas is aiming for a mid- to late-June opening.

See Also:
- Mark Lucas on Fozzie's Sandwich Emporium's Food & Wine Appearance
- Busted! Scamwich Artist Unmasked by Local Restaurant Owners

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Gut Check learned back in February that an Indian restaurant would open at 8613 Olive Boulevard, the Jeffrey Plaza strip-mall address that previously housed the very-short lived Ethiopian spot Red Sea Cafe & Bar and, before that, Hooked Seafood Bar.

See Also:
- Red Sea Cafe & Bar Already Closed

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via Facebook

Dierdorf & Hart's Steak House (323 Westport Plaza, Maryland Heights; 314-878-1801) will close following service tomorrow, May 18. The closure ends a 30-year run at Westport Plaza for the restaurant originally opened by St. Louis football Cardinal greats Dan Dierdorf and Jim Hart. The downtown location of Dierdorf & Hart's shuttered several years ago.

View the restaurant's farewell message from Facebook after the jump.

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The kale salad at Pastaria | Jennifer Silverberg

We're five months into 2013, and now that all the beginning-of-the-year trend pieces are but a distant memory, we can identify what foods and dishes are hot at area restaurants.

Some off-the-cuff observations from this restaurant critic: Pimiento cheese (or pimento, if you prefer, but you invite the wrath of my editor), cauliflower in pretty much any form and kale salad.

This last item received notice today from no less an authority than the New York Times in an article titled "Oh, How the Humble Has Risen," which, among other things, manages to work a Great Gatsby reference into the lede.

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Edward Farrow in the café at MIM in Phoenix | Nikki Buchanan

Gut Check heard through the grapevine a few weeks ago that chef Edward Farrow, most recently of Phoenix, Arizona, would be moving to town this summer to oversee the new restaurant and café at the Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park Street; 314-721-0072).

Yesterday, a press release from the museum made it official. Farrow will oversee the new Panorama Restaurant, which will open this summer in the Saint Louis Art Museum's new east building designed by Sir David Chipperfield.

Farrow, 49, will be coming to St. Louis from the café at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, where he was executive chef. Under his leadership, the museum cafe received the Arizona Republic's award for Best Museum Restaurant in 2012.

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Ian Froeb

After a soft opening this past weekend -- accounts of which Gut Check espied with much envy -- today is go time for the Libertine (7927 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-862-2999). The new restaurant from the married team of Audra and Nick Luedde, with acclaimed chef Josh Galliano leading the kitchen, opens for dinner at 5 p.m. today.

See Also:
- Sneak Preview: The Libertine Aims to Reclaim Cool in Clayton
- Owner Nick Luedde Discusses the Libertine

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