By Candice Coleman
It’s the holidays – time to eat, drink and be merry! So, without further ado, let’s unwrap some wonder, shall we?
‘Bundle’ up for the holidays…for a good cause! Locally owned international grocer Global Foods has partnered with some of St. Louis’ acclaimed chefs to create grab-and-go gift bundles available exclusively at the Kirkwood supermarket.
Participating chefs include Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box, Natasha Bahrami of Café Natasha, Nick Bognar of indo and Nippon Tei, Jason Tilford of Mission Taco Joint, and Qui Tran of Mai Lee and Nudo House, who have curated gift baskets featuring ingredients from Global that represent each chef’s cuisine, as well as a recipe to tie it all together!
Here are some of the goodies to be found in each basket:
- Balkan Treat Box Gift Bundle includes Avjar, Fefferoni Peppers, Vegeta, Grape Leaves, Plum Jam and Argeta. Chef Nalic’s recipe is a Potato and Smoked Meat Pie.
- Cafe Natasha’s Gift Bundle includes Sadaf Persian Pickles, Cortas Pomegranate Molasses, Sadaf Halva, Sumac and dry Dill. Chef Bahrami’s recipe is a refreshing Middle Eastern Cold Yogurt Soup.
- The indo and Nippon Tei Gift Bundle includes Mirin, Rice Vinegar, Panko, Kewpie Mayonnaise and Furikake Rice. Chef Bognar’s recipe is for Panko Fried Green Beans with Yuzu Mayonnaise Dipping Sauce.
- Mission Taco Joint’s Gift Bundle includes Achiote Annatto Seed Paste, Sour Orange Marinade, Habanero Hot Sauce, Goya Sazon, Hibiscus Flowers and Blue Corn Masa for tortillas. Chef Tilford’s recipe is for Yucatecan Style Chicken Tacos with Hibiscus Pickled Onions.
- Mai Lee and Nudo House Gift Bundle includes Fish Sauce, Sambal Chili Paste, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, Sesame Oil, Fried Shallots, Distilled Vinegar, Rice Paper, Vermicelli Noodles. Chef Tran’s recipe is for a fish sauce and meat marinade to use for dipping and to make noodle bowls at home.
The baskets are $30 each, with Global Foods donating $3 of every basket sold to the respective restaurant to help support their employees during the pandemic.
The gift bundles are available at Global now through Dec. 31. It’s best to call ahead to make sure your bundle of choice is in stock, (314) 835-1112.
A new home for the holidays: The new Pasta House flagship will soon make its debut in Ladue. After 46 years, the locally based chain’s flagship on Delmar Boulevard announced plans to move to Ladue at the former Giovanni’s Kitchen location at Colonial Marketplace. The decision came in the wake of the acquisition of the University City site by Total Access Urgent Care, which prompted The Pasta House Co. to relocate to Ladue.
“The new location met several key criteria for our company, including its proximity to the original location and the fact that it was already serving as a restaurant,” said owner Joe Fresta. “That made it move-in ready in terms of the footprint and kitchen facilities, and allowed for the focus to be on updating everything else, including the lighting, flooring and painting to have the signature Pasta House Co. ‘look.’”
All of the staff from the Delmar location, some of whom have worked for Pasta House for more than 25 years, plan to make the move to Ladue. When it opens in mid-December, Pasta House hopes to expand its curbside and delivery service in the Clayton and Ladue areas.
In all, Pasta House operates 17 restaurant locations in Missouri and Illinois, as well as a satellite location at St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
Looking for something other than holiday ham or turkey? Russell’s is now offering Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, served with tomato brown sugar glaze, and Red Wine Braised Pot Roast with vegetables and herbs, with reduced red wine-braised pan sauce and whipped horseradish cream, as well as sides such as Christmas Eve Rolls, Garlic Broccolini, White Cheddar & Cracked Pepper Grits and more. Russell’s will also be launching national shipping for its popular Gooey Butter cake, too. Russell’s version of the St. Louis staple, which comes in more than a dozen flavors, is distinct for its shortbread cookie crust. Orders for shipping gooey butter can be placed online here. Holiday meal pick-ups are available at Russell’s on Macklind and Russell’s Fenton.
Craving Ethi-OH!-pian food? The fabulously creative Rob Connoley, owner of Bulrush, will be holding Ethiopian cooking demos in his restaurant through Dec. 30. Rumor has it, Ethiopian is Rob’s current food crush, so you know it’s going to be good! Tix are $75 per person; more info can be found on the restaurant’s website.
Now, this is pretty soup-er! West End Grill & Pub will be offering quarts of soup to go this winter. Choose from a variety of hearty options like Chicken Gumbo, French Tomato and North African Chick Pea Stew for $17 per quart. The soup selection will rotate, so check the website.
Shell, yeah! Mission Taco Joint is spicing up the holidays with a new trio of hot sauces: The 3-pack gift for $35 also includes a $25 gift ($40 value). Chef Jason Tilford and team makes all of Mission Taco Joint’s hot sauces in-house with varying levels of heat – the perfect gift for the condiment collector in your life. The hot sauces feature a variety of chile peppers from serrano, chile de arbol, habanañero and more. Available in restaurants or online.
Graze boards are a craze this season, and if you’re planning to create a charcuterie board for your family gathering, consider shopping local and use Anya’s Apothekere’s fermented honey sauces for dipping! The sauces come in three flavors: Organic Jalapeño, Organic Garlic and Organic Onion. Available on the Anya’s Apothekere website.
Do you cheer for beer? Schlafly Beer is now offering Mystery Mix Cases ($50), pre-packed boxes of 24 Schlafly brews in cans and bottles to spread holiday cheer. The limited holiday case offers a mixed selection of beer that includes everything from seasonal favorites and new releases like Coffee Stout and Wintry Haze, to brewpub-staple beers like Pale Ale and Boomerang Lemon Lime. The Mystery Mix Case is available now at the Schlafly Tap Room in downtown St. Louis, Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, and Schlafly Bankside in St. Charles.
Do you ‘See’ what I see? That’s right, the new See’s Candies pop-up shop has set up shop at West County Center! Now through Dec. 24, chocolate and candy lovers can safely grab those signature chocolates, candies and other stocking stuffers, or utilize the ‘Click Pick Go’ option to order their candies online and pick up at the pop-up.
Have you been naughty or nice? Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery has introduced several seasonal fab flavors, including alcohol-infused “naughties” Brandy Alexander and Fernet Black Walnut, as well as Miso Maple (vegan), and Persimmon Cardamom. Also being offered are three Hanukkah flavors this year: Challah Bread Pudding, Sufganiyot and Rugelach. In addition to ice-cream, Clementine’s has added Hot Chocolate Bombs in a variety of options like Hot Milk Chocolate, Peppermint, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cherry Bomb (Naughty).
And finally, let’s talk a little turkey: The Brass Rail Steakhouse and owner Scott Ellinger are thankful for the community support in helping the O’Fallon restaurant meet its goal of donating and delivering more than 3,600 turkey dinners — with all the trimmings — to St. Charles County families this Thanksgiving. And talk about neighbors helping neighbors: Hundreds of volunteers, including the St. Louis BBQ Society, gave up part of their Thanksgiving holiday to help Ellinger smoke the turkeys and deliver the meals in what has become an annual holiday effort from The Brass Rail.
