A new classic Italian eatery prepares to bow in Webster Groves, a St. Louis institution celebrates 56 years with giveaways all month long, and Halloween ushers in plenty of scary, spooky treats. Take a big bite of St. Louis dining news with our latest Nibbles & Nosh!
Look for an early November opening date for Madrina, the much-anticipated Italian-American eatery in Webster Groves.
Madrina, which means Italian for “godmother,” will bring a modern take on classic Italian cuisine to the heart of downtown Webster in the space formerly occupied by C.J. Muggs. Madrina’s co-managing partners, The Parkmoor Drive-In’s Frank Romano and Robust Bistro and Wine Bar’s Stanley Browne, announced the concept in July after inking the deal to acquire the location in the historic Gorlock building on West Lockwood Avenue, where C.J. Muggs held court for more than 20 years. Both The Parkmoor and Robust, owned and operated by Romano and Browne, respectively, are also located on West Lockwood.
Madrina draws its inspiration from the traditional flavors of Italian-American cuisine. Romano began his longtime career in the restaurant industry at Kemoll’s, the venerable establishment that served St. Louisans for 95 years until permanently closing its doors in January. Romano says he has always dreamt of opening a restaurant that celebrated mid-century Italian-American dishes.
“Out of respect for Kemoll’s, I kept that idea on the shelf until now,” Romano said.
Browne, who opened Robust in 2007, knew the location was an opportunity he could not overlook.
“Webster Groves is an embracing community,” he said. “It has supported our family and our business for more than 15 years, as well as many new thriving businesses.”
Madrina will offer seating for 134 people in its main dining room, as well as an additional 60 seats in the bar area and approximately 25 on the sidewalk terrace.
Tony’s has introduced “Anthony’s at Night,” a new menu for the Clayton establishment’s bar and patio areas.
The menu will be available for weeknight dinner service in Anthony’s Bar or the Fountain patio dining room on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It will feature a selection of new items, along with popular selections from Anthony’s lunch menu. Guests in Anthony’s or the Fountain also have the option to order from Tony’s main menu.
New offerings include Lucy’s Meatloaf and East Coast Crab Cakes, as well as menu favorites like Charbroiled Burger, Warm Prime Tenderloin Sandwich or Chicken Milanese. The menu also features an assortment of signature cocktails.
Anthony’s will continue to offer its “Toast & Taste” Happy Hour menu of appetizer and drink specials from 4 to 6 p.m., also on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
In the mood for spooky, scary Halloween treats? The Fountain on Locust in Midtown St. Louis has a month-long special menu with four Halloween-themed temptations.
Vampire’s Bite is a white chocolate ice cream martini with vanilla ice cream, 360 chocolate liqueur and white cacao liqueur, served with “teeth” dripping with grenadine-soaked “blood;” Purple Potion is a sparkly cocktail with pea flower-infused gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, edible glitter, and a splash of blue curacao and grenadine; Graveyard is a twist on The Fountain’s popular Three Coins in The Fountain – chocolate, vanilla and After Dinner mint ice creams with hot fudge Oreo crumbles, whipped cream and candy bones; and the Screamsicle milkshake has equal parts orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream with fresh raspberry sauce, whipped cream and a marshmallow and Oreo crumble rim. Scared yet?
Clementine’s Creamery has a fall lineup of seasonal flavors such as pumpkin, cinnamon and chai.
The Maple Pumpkin Crunch is maple ice cream with ribbons of pumpkin pie and candied pecan crumble. The Coquito spiced rum ice cream has cinnamon and nutmeg, inspired by the traditional Puerto Rican drink. Indian Chai is masala chai tea ice cream warmed with cinnamon and cloves. And the Baked Apple Betty has a sweet cream base, cinnamon, cream cheese, baked apples and pie crumble.
Also from Clementine’s is a new flavor created for “Beetlejuice,” the Broadway touring musical at the Fox Theatre. In celebration of its run, the “It’s Showtime!” ice cream was created just for the show featuring purple hued cookies ‘n cream with house-made chocolate and raspberry fudge pieces. Single-serve cups will be available for purchase at the Fabulous Fox through Oct. 22, or in pints at all eight Clementine’s locations later this month.
From now through Oct. 31, Westport Social has Numbskull, a Halloween Pop-Up Cocktail Experience.
Numbskull features creepy cocktails like The Executioner, Inside Out Man, Death By Pumpkin and Human Canvas, all served in specialty glassware.
Open every day from 11 a.m., the pop-up is staged amid a carnival atmosphere with elaborate decor inspired by vintage midway amusements, questionable clowns and paranormal performers. On Thursdays, Numbskull has fortune-tellers, zombie roller-skaters and otherworldly carnival fun. On Oct. 27 and 28, Westport Social is hosting a Halloween costume contest with giveaways and a $500 first-place prize each night.
St. Louis’ own Lion’s Choice is celebrating 56 years in business on Thursday, Oct. 26.
There will be giveaways all month long, as well as special deals. Guests who order a large drink at any Lion’s Choice location will receive a specialty anniversary cup with a QR code to scan for an instant-win prize, such as a free sandwich or a $100 or $500 gift card. On the day of the anniversary itself, the chain is offering Original Roast Beef, Oven-Roasted Turkey or Hickory Smoked Ham sandwich meals with fries and a drink for $5.60 (regularly priced at $9.49). For the meal deal, a one-day coupon – redeemed from Lion’s Choice’s Instagram or Facebook accounts on Oct. 26 – is required in-store or at the drive-thru.
