back in business | Just in time to help St. Louisans beat the summer heat, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard reopened its location at 4224 S. Grand Blvd. The STL institution’s tradition of slinging sweet treats every summer from the spot had been interrupted in recent years due to the pandemic and staffing issues. … Following a change of ownership and an almost six-month hiatus, The Fortune Teller Bar has reopened at 2635 Cherokee St. in Benton Park West.
food truck frenzy
Global Foods Market in Kirkwood has brought back its Global Eats: Food Truck Thursdays for the summer. The pop-up series brings a selection of diverse international food trucks to the market on rotating Thursdays. Each participant will create a special dish or limited offering using ingredients that can be found inside the store. This month, look out for visits from The Fold Street Crepes and La Colombianita trucks on June 15 and 29 respectively. For more information on participating food trucks, follow Global Foods Market on social media @globalfoodsstl.
niche news
Chef Gerard Craft’s Niche Food Group is bringing back Porano, its former fast casual restaurant. While the first location has yet to be identified, hungry St. Louisans can look forward to the return of the Italian’ eatery’s highly customizable pasta bowls, grain bowls, salads and Detroit-style pizzas sometime in 2024. … Craft also announced Niche would be launching a globally inspired barbecue concept at City Foundry STL: Expat BBQ. “We want to have fun with this one,” Craft says. “Barbecue is ubiquitous around the world, found in every country and culture, and the menu celebrates the flavors that someone would experience when traveling abroad.” Expat BBQ is expected to open in the fall.
red (panda) alert
The 2023 STL Zoo Bier is here! In partnership with Saint Louis Zoo, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company is releasing Red Panda Light Lager. For every case of STL Zoo Bier sold at area retailers, Urban Chestnut will donate $3 to the Saint Louis Zoo to support its animal care and conservation work. Since creating the partnership in 2019, 5,369 cases of STL Zoo Bier have been sold. Crack open your own can of Red Panda Light Lager in honor of the zoo’s pair of red pandas, Winnie and Pete.
opens + closes
From restaurateur Pepe Kehm, Rosé by Peno is serving up Mediterranean fair at 1463 S. 18th St. … This month, Buzzetta’s Italian Cafe will open in Chesterfield at 120 Chesterfield Valley Drive .The menu will focus on fresh ingredients and the traditional cuisine of southern Italy. … Bengelina Hospitality Group has opened Deli Divine in the Delmar Divine at 5501 Delmar Blvd. The Jewish deli offers open-faced bagels and bagel sandwiches, kugels and knishes, matzo ball soup and other traditional items. … Take a step back in time at Speakeasy Cafe at 527 Holly Hills Ave. in Carondelet. The coffee shop is housed in a building that was previously home to an actual speakeasy. … Gather Cafe has closed in McKinley Heights. For the past two years, the cafe operated out of children’s play space Urban Fort, which will remain open.