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The best new restaurants (and specialty shops) to try during the month of January

Lemon Gem owner Beth Styles.
Michelle Volansky | Sauce Magazine
Lemon Gem owner Beth Styles.

The Sound Bites team at Sauce Magazine is back and ready to help you plan your nights out at St. Louis restaurants during the month of January.

On Thursday, Catherine Klene and Meera Nagarajan, the magazine’s managing editor and art director, respectively, joined St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh to discuss the openings and closings of restaurants you should know. 

Openings

U.R.B. – Urban Research Brewery

This new brewery, located right across the street from Urban Chestnut in the Grove neighborhood of St. Louis, is a great place to test experimental beers. For just one dollar, you get a flight of four 2-ounce beers that you can later provide feedback for online.

While you taste, you can also enjoy one of their semi-experimental pizzas, which can be purchased whole or by the slice.

Lemon Gem Kitchen Goods

Also found in the Grove, Lemon Gem Kitchen Goods is filled with kitchen gadgets and basic supplies, but they also sell locally-made artisan goods.

“There’s a good mix of basics and splurges there,” said Klene.

Intoxicology

“This is sort of your one-stop-shop for the home bartender,” Klene said. “They have everything from the spirits you need to the bitters and the shrubs to this vintage glassware that you can serve everything in.”

Cate Zone Chinese Cafe

This new café in University City specializes in cuisine found in the northeastern region of China.

Himalayan Yeti

Located on South Kingshighway, the Himalayan Yeti serves Indian and Nepalese dishes.

Pro tip from Nagarajan: Know how much heat you can handle, and don’t be afraid to ask your waiter to guide you through the menu.

Gezellig Tap House and Bottle Shop

At this new beer bar (also in the Grove), you can choose from a selection of hundreds of beers, including both local and international brands.

“It’s named ‘Gezellig,’ which is a Dutch word, and it’s a concept that means a really convivial, cozy environment,” Klene said. “It’s a sense of togetherness, and that’s what the owner was really striving for at this place.”

2nd Shift Brewing Co.

Previously located in New Haven, Missouri, 2nd Shift Brewing recently moved to a large warehouse in St. Louis.

“Second Shift Katy is one of their Brett beers, and look for that or a fruited variant of it,” Klene suggested. “They’ve done some really delicious peach, or raspberry or plum, and that’s always rotating and it’s fantastic.”

Coming soon in 2017

  • Pizzahead – New York style pizza opening on South Grand
  • Salt and Smoke – opening a new location in South Hampton in June
  • Half and Half – opening a second location in Webster Groves
  • Olive and Oak – opening a fast casual concept next door to their main restaurant

Closings

Fischer’s Restaurant – Belleville, Illinois

“They have been around for a really long time, and they cited other banquet halls and chain restaurants opening in the area as being a reason for their having to close, and people are sad to see it go,” said Nagarajan.  

This Hit List segment is produced as a part of a partnership between Sauce Magazine and St. Louis Public Radio.

St. Louis on the Air brings you the stories of St. Louis and the people who live, work and create in our region. St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh and producers Mary EdwardsAlex Heuer and Kelly Moffitt give you the information you need to make informed decisions and stay in touch with our diverse and vibrant St. Louis region. 

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