By Candy Coleman Petrofsky
We’re entering the dog days of August, but we found plenty of food news you’ll lap up – starting with National Frozen Custard Day on Monday, Aug. 8!
Eckert’s Country Store in Belleville, Illinois, will have buy one, get one free custard cones at the newly opened Mr. E’s Donut & Custard Shop. Guests can also shop seasonally inspired custard treats like the Berry-Go-Round sundae, made with fresh blackberries, donuts, custard, whipped cream and sprinkles.
Lion’s Choice fans can snag a buy one, get one free concrete either in store, online or as a loyalty member. Prior to ordering in store, you’ll need to visit Lion’s Choice social media platforms (@lionschoice) to screenshot the digital coupon posted there for the offer. Those ordering through the Lion’s Choice app can use the promo code, BOGOCUSTARD, to redeem the offer.
Do you prefer savory over sweet?
August is also National Sandwich Month and Volpi Foods is helping provide some of the good stuff for specials around town to help raise money for Operation Food Search.
For every sandwich purchased, Volpi’s will donate $2 to Operation Food Search, an organization that helps fight food insecurity in St. Louis.
From now through Aug. 7 at Sugarfire Smokehouse, you’ll find the “Volpi Ridiculous,” made with Volpi Genoa Salame, pit ham, cherry peppers, provolone, lettuce, onion and oregano vinaigrette served on a hoagie. From Aug. 8 to 13, Volpi’s collab is with Pastaria Deli & Wine, creating the “Estati Passate” featuring Volpi’s Genoa Salame, roasted peach, fresh jalapeno, arugula, pecorino cheese, sweet corn sauce and served on a Union Loafers hoagie. At Gioia’s Deli from Aug. 15 to 20, the “Italian Delight” will feature Volpi’s Genoa Salame, olives, onions, vinegar and oil on garlic cheese bread. Volpi’s National Sandwich Month collaborations will wrap up with a final special from Winslow’s Table, made with Volpi’s Genoa Salame, capicola, oregano aioli, red wine vinaigrette, tomato, provolone, shredded lettuce and pickled banana peppers on house brioche (Aug. 24 to 28).
Speaking of the folks at Sugarfire, they’re thinking outside the bread box by partnering with local chefs to create some super sammy specials!
From Aug. 8 to 14, Sugarfire is collaborating with Sugarwitch on the “Which Fire,” a rocky road-inspired ice cream sandwich made with double chocolate ice cream and “snickers,” peanuts, and marshmallows between brownie cookies. From Aug. 15 to 21, Sugarfire will feature a Blues City Deli creation, the “Blues Que,” which includes pulled chicken, Delta Sauce, Red Hot Riplets, Sugarfire black-pepper sugared bacon, pickles and lettuce on a pretzel bun. Next up, from Aug. 22 to 28, Sugarfire joins forces with Izumi, the Japanese sando food truck, for the “Is it You or Izumi?” Peach Boi sando, which includes cinnamon peaches and whipped cream on shokupan bread, garnished with granola. And for one day only on Tuesday, Aug. 30, all Sugarfire locations are bringing back the famed Cuban Reuben, the sandwich by chef Dave Molina that won the 2018 “Best Sandwich in the World” title at the World Food Championship.
There’s more to roar – or rather, cluck about from Lion’s Choice: You can now order fried chicken in the form of new menu items such as the Cluckin’ Chicken Tender Sandwich, the Chili Lime Crispy Chicken Salad and for kids, the Chicken Tender Cub Meal. All are now available at all Lion’s Choice locations.
indo, Nick Bognar’s modern Southeast Asian eatery, is now offering a new handroll menu, along with the transformation of the chef’s counter into a cocktail bar.
Guests can order a la carte from a menu of 14 handrolls or leave it up to the chef’s special selections. Individual handrolls include Mushroom (confit mushroom, crispy shiitake), Madai (Japanese sea bream, cilantro and onion), Daiba Hotate (diver scallop, spicy mayo, masago), Masu (ocean trout, sesame, truffle salt), Sake (king salmon, onion relish, scallion, ikura) Toro Caviar (fatty tuna with hackleback roe) and more.
The new handroll menu is an expansion of the existing menu, which includes shareable dishes, along with a rotating menu of sashimi and hamachi dishes sourced from Japanese fishmongers.
The former Beets & Bones in downtown Clayton is now Manifest Juice and Broth.
The new health café, co-owned by original Beets & Bones partner Conor VanBuskirk and new partner Katy Fry, focuses on glass-bottled, crafted juices and sippable broth. Additional menu items include toasts, salads and pastries. All are available for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as takeaway. While the coffee program will be smaller than it was at Beets & Bones, one specialty blend black coffee on drip will always be featured. Manifest Juice and Broth at 8401 Maryland Ave. is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In honor of Westport Playhouse, which kicks off its grand reopening this weekend, some Westport-area restaurants are offering tempting dinner-and-a-show deals.
If you show your same-day ticket stub from the Playhouse, enjoy 10% off your entire bill at Drunken Fish. Or, how about free draught beer with any appetizer or entree purchase at O’Fallon Brewery?
Other specials can be had at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse, Kemoll’s Chop House, Westport Social, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Jovick Brothers Deli and Trainwreck Saloon – all within walking distance of the theater!
Westport Playhouse closed due to the COVID pandemic in March 2020. “Davinci & Michelangelo: The Titans Experience,” its first major production since, opens Aug. 5 and will run thru Aug. 28.
And finally, cheers to 50 years: The iconic Blueberry Hill in the Delmar Loop is celebrating its golden anniversary on Sept. 8!
Of course, there will be a blue carpet to walk, a rockin’ cake, Champagne, fun Blueberry Hill trivia and lots of live music. Witness owner Joe Edwards crack open the time capsule from 10 years ago, and toast to another 50 fabulous years with the new Rock & Roll Beer from 4 Hands Brewing Co. Glam attire is encouraged!
