ducking into maplewood
The Blue Duck, of Washington, Missouri, is opening a second locale in part of the former Monarch restaurant in Maplewood. Serving lunch and dinner, the place prides itself on homemade salads, sandwiches and entrees, plus creations from pastry chef Karmen Rayburn. Owner Chris Rayburn predicts a November opening.
pizza potpourri
The former Modesto will become Mona’s, an American-Italian spot serving pizzas and pastas with creative toppings. Owner Brendan Marsden (proprietor of Modesto and of Whitebox Eatery in The Crescent) promises a complete interior redo, as well, of his longtime location at 5257 Shaw Ave. on The Hill. An October opening is planned.
the grove grows
Shisha, a Mediterranean restaurant, is opening in The Grove at 4229 Manchester Road. Expect shwarma, gyros, falafel and the like, plus an outdoor patio area with hookah pipes. Owners Ricky Barackat and Ahmad Salameh are renovating the spot, which previously housed SoHo Restaurant and Lounge.
foodie heaven
Chef Michael Gallina, formerly of James Beard Award-winning restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns in New York, hosted a media luncheon in his planned Cortex restaurant Vicia, at Boyle and Duncan avenues. Amid grain bowls, cold soups and summer squash focaccia, he and wife Tara explained that the location is set to become a ‘restaurant corridor.’
gelato pops!
Be on the lookout for a new tasty treat from Niche Food Group: gelato pops, to be served at Porano, the group’s downtown fast-casual spot. These will be created by executive pastry chef Sarah Osborn, who took over the top pastry toque from Anne Croy, who left to focus on her granola line, Banner Road Baking.