first impression | The wine and cocktail bar is the latest concept from Steve Gontram, owner of 5 Star Burgers and the former Harvest in Richmond Heights. Located in the former home of Nixta in the Botanical Heights neighborhood, No Ordinary Rabbit offers a unique menu of small plates and shareable dishes that are primarily inspired by Eastern Mediterranean cuisine—although you can find inspiration from other parts of the globe as well, including Spain and Africa.
wash it down
The beverage menu is extensive with innovative and classic cocktails as well as wine and beer. There also are mocktail options as well as canned Italian sodas for those opting not to imbibe. The Ghost of Daiquiris Past ($11) is perfect for summer with a refreshing blend of tea-infused gin, lemonade, strawberry and white balsamic redux.
must trys
Corn Hummus, $9: This was an unexpected highlight of our meal. It’s served with garlic chili oil, offering the perfect blend of smooth with a little kick of spice. No Ordinary Rabbit’s dips and spreads are served with Moroccan fry bread, which on its own is amazing, but it becomes downright addictive when paired with the hummus.
Squid, $15: The menu has an entire section dedicated to tinned fish. The squid came with capers, red onion and pickled cauliflower, and it was served with grilled Union Loafers bread. It was a refreshing, flavorful start to the meal and a unique offering you likely won’t find elsewhere.
Duck Rillette, $12: Similar to pâté, a rillette features meat rendered in its own fat, shredded and mixed to create a paste-like consistency. It was served with mostarda di frutta, an Italian condiment of candied fruit in a mustard-flavoured syrup. The result was a surprising light blend of savory and sweet.
Gundi, $24: Gundi is a dumpling that is somewhat similar to gnocchi. These were flavored with lemon and basil and served with chicken sausage, pea puree, crispy shallots and pea shoot salad. The result is a dish that is both rich and comforting but also surprisingly bright thanks to the pop of citrus and refreshing note from the pea.
Meatballs, $18: Made from chorizo and dates, the meatballs are paired with a crispy pancetta in a tomato-citrus sauce. The result is a near-perfect bite, bringing together unique flavors. You’ve got savory, sweet and sour all working together in perfect harmony.
Mac & Cheese, $18: You can’t go wrong with mac and cheese, and that is certainly true at No Ordinary Rabbit. The restaurant’s spin on the dish features cheddar and harissa. The combination offers all the creamy goodness you could want along with a subtle smokiness and spice that elevates the dish.
final thoughts
If there’s one word to describe No Ordinary Rabbit, it’s “eclectic.” From the menu that takes inspiration from across the globe to the fun pops of color and character in decor, an evening spent at the restaurant can be expected to be bright, vibrant and flavorful. It’s definitely worth a visit.
1621 Tower Grove Ave. | 314.696.2010 | noordinaryrabbitstl.com
Pictured at the top: Chicken breast with orange date couscous, fresh coriander and Moroccan carrot sauce
Photo: Bill Barrett
