[heritage foods]
Lewis and Clark never had it so good! The lateset menu at Bixby’s celebrates the History Museum’s newest exhibition, The Louisiana Purchase: Making St. Louis, Remaking America, with native foods like bison and persimmons. Among those cooking is Corey Ellsworth, former executive chef at Chandler Hill
Vineyards, who recently joined the Bixby crew.
[the list]
St. Louis Fitness Alliance has named the following eateries as its top 10 healthiest restaurants: Frida’s and Winslow’s Home in University City, Crushed Red and
Seedz in Clayton, Hot Pot in Warson Woods, Nathalie’s in the CWE, The Purple Martin in Tower Grove East, Athlete Eats on Cherokee, Metabolic Meals in
Oakville, and Fit Flavors in Chesterfield. Each strives to use local, organic, chemical-free ingredients and serves made-from-scratch recipes with gluten-free and vegetarian op
tions.
[bondian imbibition]
The Ritz-Carlton’s Thursday night Shaken, Not Stirred events offer martini specials and free mixology classes. For more prosaic specials, visit The Ritz on Mondays, when Burgers and Brews includes such specialty concoctions as stuffed smoked bison burgers paired with local craft beers.
[hola]
You’ll notice a new Mexican cantina at the Galleria’s north end. Restaurateur Douglas Czufin—owner of Plaza Frontenac’s Canyon Cafe—has taken over the spot previously occupied by Vida. His new Casa del Mar will be more affordably priced, “with an emphasis on the bar.” Czufin, of Loveland, Colo., came in last week to launch the place, which is his sixth restaurant.
[sweet!]
Hailing from Red Bud, Ill., David Laufer returns to his roots as the Chase Park Plaza’s new executive pastry chef. “It feels like home to be at the historic Chase, where I can share my culinary creations at a property that is so legendary.” Look for pecan pie with a molasses-filled crème puff on the holiday buffet, inspired by his grandma’s 
molasses cookie recipe.
[artisan noshes]
John Perkins has launched Juniper’s Gift Horse. “Customers will be able to purchase breads, sweets, and savory items that we make in-house, along with a Juniper branded tote bag,” he notes. BTW, this is the last holiday season to shop for historical themed gourmet gifts and cookbooks at Levee Mercantile under the Gateway Arch. The recreation of an 1870s general store becomes history after the Arch closes for renovations in 2015.
