In our monthly Sound Bites segment in partnership with , executive editor Ligaya Figueras and food critics Michael Renner and Matt Berkley reviewed the standout St. Louis restaurants and bars of 2013.
Michael Renner writes 鈥淣ew and Notable鈥� for Sauce, and Matt Berkley writes 鈥淣ightlife.鈥� They maintain anonymity in order to accurately review the experience an average customer might have.
New Venues
Among the restaurants and bars that opened in 2013, two stood out for Renner: in the 鈥渃oolest space category鈥� and in the 鈥渢his ain鈥檛 no food court category.鈥�
The two new restaurants that stood out for Figueras were Cucina Pazzo (鈥淚 love it because it鈥檚 an Italian restaurant and there鈥檚 not a single pie or flatbread on the menu.鈥�) and Element (she liked the collaboration of the four chefs in the kitchen).
As for Berkley, he liked Tripel in Lafayette Sqaure, a Belgian restaurant. Highlights for him were the French-German fusion of the fare, especially the Mussels Normandy, and the Trappist ales.
Best Dishes
Renner鈥檚 favorite dishes for the year were both chicken: The fried butter garlic chicken wings at Mi Linh, the new Vietnamese restaurant that opened up in Rock Hill, and the fried chicken at The Libertine.
Figueras also liked a dish at The Libertine, the Three Little Hens featuring three different poultries. 鈥淏ut if had to pick my single favorite, it is the Goji Steamed Sole at Hiro Asian Kitchen,鈥� she said.
A stand out dish for Berkley was the pulled pork barbeque nachos at Hendrix in St. Charles. He also liked their white whiskey moonshine.
Best Cocktails
Figueras lamented the upcoming loss of Little Country Gentlemen, recommending trying the bourbon-based Mal鈥檚 No. 3 while you still can. The restaurant closes January 11. She also recommended the manhattans at The Libertine and Planter鈥檚 House.
Berkley named Gamlin Whiskey House, Fortune Teller Bar and Atomic Cowboy as places with excellent signature cocktails. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good time to be a whiskey fan in St. Louis right now,鈥� he said.
Renner鈥檚 suggestion was the Mississippi Punch at Juniper.
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