[mushrooming business]
Auf wiedersehen to the House of Maret building at 3811 S. Lindbergh Blvd., the old German restaurant whose latest incarnation was a Growlers Pub. The wrecking ball has made room for Mellow Mushroom, an Atlanta-based pizzeria chain whose claim to fame is classic southern pizza brushed with garlic butter, dusted with cornmeal and sprinkled with Parmesan. The Sunset Hills location is its first in Missouri.
[ciao]
The transformation is complete. Mike Randolph’s Randolfi’s Italian Kitchen at 6665 Delmar Blvd. has opened with a menu sporting a new take on its cuisine. Included in the mix are plans to keep the best of the best from the late Good Pie: the Neapolitan-style pizzas. Look for house-made gnocchi, pastas and local ingredients and products from specialty purveyors like Salume Beddu. Also expect new flavors at the bar, including Italian vermouth and amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur that’s become trendy among creative mixologists.
[eat up]
Plan to arrive hungry for the 11th annual Taste of St Louis, Sept. 18 through 20 at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre. Pros and amateurs alike will cook for bragging rights and top chefs honors during the three-day festival. Highlights also include the inaugural Budweiser Home Chef Throwdown, the Goose Island School of Cooking, The Chef Battle Royale, overseen by executive chef Vito Racanelli, and the 314 Hot Sauce Restaurant Row, an eclectic mix of 35 mouth-watering eateries.
[fancy plates]
Get your place at the table at River City Casino’s 1904 Steak House on Oct. 6 for food and libations based on 19th century recipes paired with inspired modern plates by Chef John Johnson and his culinary team. The occasion is a celebration honoring the release of The Gilded Table: Recipes and Traditions from the Campbell House, by yours truly. Proceeds for the event and book sales benefit the Campbell House Museum. For more information, visit campbellhousemuseum.org/gildedevent.
[cheers]
Time to toast Michael David Murphy on being named Bar Italia’s new beverage director. Murphy’s previous tenures included beverage management at Robust Wine Bar and at Gerard Craft’s restaurant group. A combination of experiences yielding a wealth of knowledge and passion has gained Murphy a “Zen master approach” to his new position, says Bar Italia co-owner Mengesha Yohannes .