[paint and eat]
Not content merely to sit and sip? Join in the social painting scene by attending a PAINT NITE event at a local bar or restaurant. During the experience a professional artist guides participants in creating a painting while they enjoy food, drink and good company. Upcoming sessions are scheduled at Lola, The Block and Joyia Tapas.
[dueling dinners]
Pros and amateurs will face off at the LUMIERE CAJUN COOK-OFF, noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 15 in Soulard. Fighting for the title of champion are: Jon Dreja of Franco, Grace Dinsmoor of Nico, Josh Galliano of The Libertine, Ben Dressel of Dressel’s Public House, Dave Bailey of Bailey’s Restaurants, Bob Colosimo of 1111 Mississippi, John Perkins of Juniper, Chris Sommers of Euclid Hospitality Group and Jack MacMurray of Joe Buck’s.
[meat treat]
Carnivores around the county started salivating this week as they caught a whiff of what’s cooking in Creve Coeur. ANDY and DEE DEE KOHN of EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery opened WILDSMOKE, a casual smokehouse, Jan. 28 at 12316 Olive Blvd. Serving lunch and dinner daily, the eatery offers ribs, brisket, hot link, pulled pork, turkey, chicken, prime rib, salmon and burnt ends, plus root beer made in house.
[fresh catch]
DAVE ROOK , formerly of Copia, Crazy Fish and Aqua Vin, is the new executive chef at OCEANO BISTRO in Chesterfield. If his surname sounds familiar, that’s because he’s related to the Rooks who run the kitchen at Annie Gunn’s.
[cherokee rising]
There’s a lot happening on hip Cherokee Street. In December, the WHISKEY RING opened at 2651. The bar focuses on whiskey, bourbon, rye and scotch. At the end of February, new tavern YAQUI’S is expected to open at 2728. Owned by FRANCIS RODRIGUEZ, JOE TIMM and BECKIE LEWIS, it will serve pizza and barbecue. And in the spring, look for CRAFT ART BAR to open at 2651 and offer beers, snacks and visual delights.
