first impression | Chef Jason Lamont has honed his culinary skills in several kitchens around town. That experience is evident on the menu of Love at First Bite. From fine dining to plant-based fare to smoked meats, this new spot in St. Ann has something for everyone, and most dishes put a fresh spin on old favorites. The restaurant is carry-out only, making it a great option if you’re still feeling a little wary about dining out.
wash it down
You won’t find a to-go cocktail menu, but they offer Pepsi products, bottled water, and lemonade and sweet tea from local line Made with Love.
must try
» cauliflower bites: $8.99; These hand-breaded, deep-fried cauliflower pieces are a great vegetarian option. The breading isn’t too heavy, and one serving is easily shared. Depending on which wing-style sauce you choose, this dish also can be vegan. We went with Bang Bang, but there are several other intriguing offerings like Pineapple Habanero, Jack & Coke BBQ and Cranberry Cherry BBQ that don’t use any animal products.
» lobster tail on my spuds: $16.99/half; There are several tempting loaded fries, but it was impossible to resist these. Topped with poached lobster, beef bacon, Grand Marnier cheese sauce, shallots and chives, it’s hard to imagine a more luxurious fry. The flavors all work wonderfully together. A half order easily is split between two people, but we wouldn’t judge you for wanting to keep them all to yourself.
» the spinning chicken sammich: $12.99; Smoked chicken thighs are paired with jalapeno artichoke dip, spinach and provel cheese on grilled sourdough bread. It’s smokey and creamy with a nice kick of flavor from the jalapeno. Sandwiches come with your choice of sides. We sampled several, including Cinnamon Baked Beans, Candied Brussel Sprouts and Chipotle Ranch Potato Salad, and they all were big on flavor.
» donald ray burger: $16.99; This thing is a bit of a beast. An 8 oz. burger topped with 4 oz. of beef brisket, beef bacon, American cheese, onion rings, queso and barbecue sauce, it’s not for the faint of heart. There’s a lot going on here, but it’s delicious. The sweet tang of the barbecue sauce is an especially tasty note among the rich flavors.
» pulled pork sandwich: $9.99/6 oz.; It doesn’t get much more simple than pulled pork on a bun, but the smoked meats here are no joke. The pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender with a wonderful smokey flavor. Like the Cauliflower Bites, it comes with your choice of sauce. We went with a standard barbecue and didn’t need to use much to enjoy the sandwich, although some of the more unusual flavors are tempting.
overall
Love at First Bite is aptly named. The menu is full of comfort food with innovative twists, and the offerings are diverse enough to appeal to most palates. Almost everything is unique and pretty craveable. You may be smitten at bite one, but you’ll definitely find yourself coming back for more.
10479 St. Charles Rock Road | 314.695.5440 | loveatfirstbitestl.com
Pictured at top: Lobster Tail High Class Man | Hand-breaded 5 oz. lobster tail, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and Bang Bang aioli on grilled garlic bread
Photo: Bill Barrett
