food & fashion
You might not think food when walking into one of the city’s toniest retailers, but The Zodiac restaurant inside Neiman Marcus serves up very fine lunch fare. It has announced some recent additions for spring, including Andean Dream Pasta, made from reputedly the finest quinoa in the world, and starters like margarita flatbread, mushroom ravioli with arugula salad, and smoked salmon with deviled eggs.
bakery makeover
Clayton’s Bakery in Des Peres is getting a redo, inside and out. Now called Bello’s Bakery, its longtime baker, Beni Bello, purchased the business and has plans for a remodel. Also new: Greek, Albanian and French pastries to go alongside the creations the neighborhood spot is known for, like peanut rolls, brownies, iced sugar cookies, decorated cakes and donuts.
fast-casual food truck fare
Taking the food truck concept to the next level, Steak Louie owner Paul Listenberger has set up shared kitchen and dining space for food trucks in a building at 4001 Utah St. in Tower Grove South, former home of Annie Moons Bakery. Diners will order at the counter, and meals will be served to them at indoor and outdoor tables. At last check, participating food trucks include Steak Louie, Farmtruk and Go! Gyro! Go! Expect dinner hours to be weekends only at the as-yet-unnamed eatery.
all-mexican menu
Look for a new place to open at 2738 Cherokee Street, The Taco & Ice Cream Joint. Planned by Karen Rico and her dad, Salvador Rico, it will feature make-your-own burrito and taco areas, as well as ribs and other goodies. The cold treats will include mango, coconut and other ice cream flavors, and Mexican frozen pops called paletas. The Ricos also own El Morelia Supermercado in Bridgeton.
dual-ing chef
Pastaria executive chef Ashley Shelton has been pegged to head the kitchen at the adjacent Sardella also, as announced by owner Gerard Craft. The 27-year-old is a 2017 James Beard Rising Star semifinalist and a 2016 Eater Young Gun winner. Stay tuned, or better yet, go taste her new menu!
