best of the fest | Tacos, tequila and throwback hip-hop will take over CarShield Field on Sept. 12. The Tacos and Tequila Festival is returning to the StL, bringing live music, locally made tacos, craft margaritas, lucha libre wrestling, a Chihuahua beauty pageant and more. This year’s lineup of musical performers include headliners Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Ginuwine, Xzibit and Paul Wall, along with Yung Joc, St. Louis’ own Murphy Lee, Bubba Sparxxx and D.J. Ashton Martin. Find out more at tacosandtequilafestival.com/stl-bucketlist.
food with soul
Lona’s Lil Eats has expanded! Known for its Asian-soul food fusion, the Fox Park fave has opened a second location in Kirkwood at 612 W. Woodbine Ave. The new 4,500-square-foot restaurant includes a welcoming dining area, open kitchen and private room for special events. The Kirkwood menu mirrors the Fox Park original, with favorites like made-to-order rice paper wraps, build-your-own plates, fresh salads, whole fish and more. “Growing from a Soulard Farmers’ Market stand into a restaurant, and now into a second location, is beyond what I imagined when we first started serving food years ago,” says chef-owner Lona Luo. “This new Kirkwood restaurant is a reflection of our guests’ support and our team’s hard work, and it gives us a chance to share our food with even more people in the region.”
expert advice
Hospitality veteran and certified sommelier Stanley Browne has launched Cellar & Table. The new wine and hospitality consulting business will offer a range of services, including developing food and wine programs, cooking classes and wine education. Thanks to a partnership with Lydia Gwin of Gwin’s Tiny Kitchen and Gwin’s Traveling Kitchen, it also will offer global travel opportunities to experience the culture and history behind food and wine.
opens + closes
The Grove is home to a new Italian restaurant. After some delay, Baia is now open at 4199 Manchester Ave., the former home of Taha’s Twisted Tiki. The restaurant is named after the Italian word for “bay” and draws inspiration from the Italian Riviera. … For a sweet treat, head to Rock Hill. Van Hoesen House of Cheesecakes has opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 9226 Manchester Road, offering sweet and savory cheesecakes, cookies and more. … Kingside Diner is continuing to expand. The chess-themed breakfast and lunch spot has plans to open its fifth location in Lafayette Square at 1463 S. 18th St. The new restaurant is expected to open in early October. … Stacked STL has closed its Central West End location. The acclaimed burger spot will continue to operate at its original restaurant in Carondelet. … After 25 years in business, 33 Wine Shop & Bar closed last month.