The Friday Edit
A weekly rundown of the people, places and things I've been loving recently.
The first week of summer (unofficial) was filled with early evening farmers market strolls, new latte menus, my favorite beets in STL and takeout from a JBFA finalist: how lucky we are to be able to say that. Here are the people, places and food that kept me going this week, plus a few ideas for the weekend and the week ahead.
Lunch on the run at Balkan Treat Box
Balkan Treat Box has one of the most fluid service models around and a standout team on both sides of the order counter, and I never take it for granted, especially on days where I have other places to be. I stopped in last Friday for the crowd favorite lahmacun — a wood-fired Turkish flatbread rolled with spicy beef (or cauliflower), parsley, lemon, onion, sumac salad and BTB sauce — and the balik ekmek, which should be your summer go-to. Think of it as BTB’s fish taco, with grilled fish-of-the-day, lettuce, parsley, lemon, onion, sumac salad, tomato and BTB sauce wrapped in somun and served with chips. I love it any time of the year, but it seems particularly suited to leisurely lunches around the pool.
Thursdays at Rockwell Beer Garden farmers’ market
If you’re looking for a farmers’ market with chill vibes and a gorgeous setting, make time to go to Frances Park on Thursday evenings for Rockwell Beer Garden farmers’ market. The market is tightly curated by the folks behind Tower Grove farmers market, with vendors from every category — farmers, artisans, bakers, hot food and more. Plus, there’s a few new vendors this year to check out alongside market mainstays like Mister Hand Pie and Friedel Family Farm. Nilla Cookie Co. is one of those, and I’m thrilled — baker-owner Taylor’s Sneed’s decorated cookies are stunning, and her oversized drop cookies in classic flavors like chocolate chip and snickerdoodle are easy to love. Nothing Sacred Kitchen was on hand as well last night with a quarter chicken hungry market goers could order over arugula and caper salad, fresh focaccia or garlic rice that I’m still thinking about today.
The summer latte and matcha menu at Shaw’s Coffee
Summer vacation is in full swing at Shaw’s Coffee, and their summer drink menu is pure nostalgia. Iced latte flavors include orange cream, animal cookie, caramel apple, cherry cola and churro. There’s a banana split latte in the mix too (banana cream latte, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle topped with a cherry) and an iced chocolate flash brew with peanut butter cold foam. Matcha fans, Shaw’s has you covered with iced cotton candy and tiger’s blood matcha, or you can grab the Bomb pop Italian soda. Check out some new (to me) pastries in the case as well, including a cherry pop tart that was the perfect pairing for my cherry cola latte.
Chicken Caesar wrap hunting at Chicken Scratch
If you’re planning to spend the summer hunting down chicken caesar wraps, there’s a spectacular one at Chicken Scratch that’s one of my go-to orders. It’s enormous thanks to a generous pile of pulled chicken, romaine, parmesan and croutons tossed in caesar dressing and wrapped in a flour tortilla. If you’re not into the wrap craze, the chicken Caesar comes in its original salad form as well. Take advantage of the expanded menu offerings at Chicken Scratch’s Glendale location and order the super-snackable beets, roasted and marinated, served over buttermilk dressing with fresh herbs and a potato chip crumble.
Things to do this weekend
There’s farmers markets all weekend to check out, and (hopefully!) beautiful weather to do it in. Go hang out at Tower Grove farmers market from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grab breakfast and wander through what seems like an endless lineup of farmers, vendors and artisans. Take in a cooking demo from Fennel Cooking Studio owner Jackie Price at 10 a.m. or lounge around the fountain during Twangfest’s Saturday Sessions: this week, the Mel Pupillo Band will be playing from 10 a.m. to noon.
If a Sunday kind of farmers’ market is what you’re after, the monthly Market on McPherson is back in the CWE this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with 25-plus vendors and artisans and music from Agile One. I can’t resist this market, so I’ll see you there. Check out the vendor list at Market on McPherson’s Instagram.
This tuesday, Keepsake is hosting the Art Hill Craft Hang. Look for the Keepsake flag directly across from the St. Louis Art Museum. Bring a friend, bring a blanket, bring a snack and bring a craft to work on for the evening. The event begins at 6 p.m. and goes through sunset. See Keepsake’s Instagram for more details.
Don’t forget about First Thursdays on Cherokee this week, either: I’m using this to remind myself about it. June’s First Thursday happens from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 4: expect a party from one end to the other, with galleries, studios, local retailers and more staying open later than usual along the street for you to shop. Visit Cherokee Street’s Instagram for more details.
Sneak Peek | Next Week
Looks like I may finally get around to talking about Tokyo style pizza, friends: may the odds be ever in my favor. That, another installment of The Edit and more next week.
xoxo, S