in high spirits | The Wine & Cheese Place has opened a new concept in the Southampton neighborhood, Spirit Wine & Craft. The smaller store offers a more focused selection of wines, spirits, craft beers and artisanal foods. It also is launching Spirit Co-op, an initiative to create retail opportunities for local makers and artisans who do not have access to conventional wholesale arrangements.
ready for summer
The Ready Room will take on a new life this summer! The music venue will reopen in the former home of Atomic Cowboy at 4140 Manchester Ave. in The Grove. Along with a restaurant, the new space will include three separate areas for events: a 300-person lounge with a small stage on the first floor, an outdoor area with a capacity of 1,000 people and a second-floor lounge that will hold 100 guests. Co-owners Mike Cracchiolo and Rick Giordano are working with Pepe Kehm of Peno Soul Food to design the restaurant’s menu.
the “wright” stuff
Matt McGuire of Louie is bringing a new concept to the former I Fratellini space in Clayton at 7624 Wydown Blvd. Wright’s Tavern will be a classic steakhouse and is named after Henry Wright, the architect and planner who designed the Brentmoor, Brentmoor Park and Forest Ridge subdivisions on either side of Wydown Boulevard in the early 20th century.
play ball
Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria is coming to Ballpark Village. The much-loved Italian restaurant will open its third location at 751 Clark St., across from gate 4 of Busch Stadium. Owners Katie and Ted Collier will work with TAO + LEE to design the nearly 10,000-square-foot space, which will include a private event space, outdoor patio, prominent pasta-making station and carry-out market. The new restaurant is expected to open in early 2023.
opens + closes
This month, Poké Munch is expanding across the river with a second location in Edwardsville at 1063 Illinois Route 157, Ste. 12. … Menya Rui, a noodle shop from Steven Pursley that started as the pop-up Ramen x Rui, is now open in Lindenwood Park at 3453 Hampton Ave. … For a slice of ‘za, head to Chesterfield where Chirco’s Pizza is now open at 14870 Clayton Road. … After more than 30 years, beloved Vietnamese restaurant Pho Grand will close on June 13. My and Tami Trinh, owners of the South Grand mainstay, plan to retire. … Tapped closed its doors in Maplewood last month. The pizza and self-pour beer and wine concept had been open for five years. … Tower Grove South burger spot The Dam has closed after nine years. Owner Michele Coen will focus on her catering and event production company, Michele C. Catering and Events.