The Friday Edit
A weekly rundown of the people, places and things I've been loving recently.
This week was filled with dinner at a longstanding favorite, lunch at a restaurant that’s rapidly becoming one, a visit to a stunning museum, and a new food truck focused on indigenous cuisine from the Great Lakes region. If you’re traveling this summer, I have book recommendations that’ll inspire you now and all year long. All that, plus an event you won’t want to miss and a few things to do this weekend. Enjoy!
Lunch at Cibo Italia’s beautiful new space
I met up with one of my favorite people for lunch this week at Cibo Italia, Mike Del Pietro’s newest restaurant at the corner of Hanley Rd. and Delmar Blvd. in University City. This is my second visit — the first was during their soft opening for breakfast — and although it’s early, I can almost promise you this one is going to be an STL favorite. It’s so easy to love: well-appointed interior, tons of light, comfortable seating and a killer patio space. The menu is its own thing of beauty, and much like the restaurant’s atmosphere, feels thoughtful yet easygoing. Cibo is open from morning to night, with a menu that weaves through savory breakfast items and pastries to by-the-slice pizza, sandwiches, salads and plates for lunch and a full-blown dinner menu in the evening. If you haven’t visited yet, make the time to stop by.
Cedar & Sage food truck at UCity Farmers’ Market
I was thrilled to discover that St. Louis was home to a new food truck, Cedar & Sage, focused on indigenous ingredients and staples from the Great Lakes region, a cuisine we don’t often dig into here. Cedar & Sage’s Eli Baynes has created a menu that pays tribute to his native roots and the food his grandmother made for him during his childhood. The menu currently offers fry bread plates and wild rice bowls with three sisters vegetables, shredded turkey or ground bison and coordinating sauces like blackberry-raspberry wojapi, berry ancho bbq, and chipotle maple aioli. there are sides, snacks, and desserts — I loved the wild rice pudding topped with wojapi and sunflower seeds — and the menu is expanding as the truck gains momentum. The fry bread plate is beautiful — I had the bison with wojapi, and it was delicious. You have two chances to try them this weekend: Cedar & Sage will be at UCity Farmers’ Market in Heman Park this Saturday and again at The Boulevard Farmers’ Market this in Brentwood this Sunday. Follow them on Instagram more about the team and where they’ll be next.
A delightful early evening at Little Fox
One of the more magical things about Little Fox — aside from a food and drink menu that always manages to be precisely what you want — is the way they somehow manage to accommodate guests with last-minute cravings but without reservations (me.) If you find yourself in this predicament, go early in the evening, and the team really will do their best to slide you in. Once seated, roam the menu: we were there for a lighter meal, so we split a Little Gem wedge salad [fresh herbs, cured egg yolk, pistachio and buttermilk vinaigrette], stracciatella [creamy mozzarella, charred snap pea salad, sweet pea puree, lemon oil, sea salt and grilled bread], and of course, the fluffiest potato churros with manchego and romesco aioli.
A morning at The Pulitzer Arts Foundation
I caught up with Mona Sabau, friend and Director of Marketing and Communications at the Pulizer Arts Foundation, to see founder Emily Rauh Pulitzer’s “Dialogues & Conversations,” an exhibit she curated which includes many works from her personal collection. Visitors may notice the lack of description tags typically used to explain what viewers are looking at; rather, the exhibit is designed to encourage viewers to interpret the work as they walk the rooms. The museum is striking, all cool stone and tones, a work of art itself that you’ll want to return to. “Dialogues & Conversations” runs through August 9: make a day of it by visiting the art galleries of The Sheldon (open Wednesday to Saturday) and Contemporary Art Musem STL (open Wednesday to Sunday), both steps away from the Pulitzer. Always check social media to ensure galleries are open before planning your visit.
“Small Town Living” and “Waterfront Living” by Erin Austen Abbott
Summer feels like the perfect time to talk about two books I love from one author I also happen to love. Erin Austen Abbott is a brilliant writer and photographer, and if you find yourself drawn less to the glitz of touristy destinations and more to the small, beautiful spaces in between, these are the books for you. “Small Town Living” explores the communities and people that reside in small towns from coast to coast, bringing them to life through conversation and snapshots of life as they know it. “Waterfront Living” focuses on the towns that bump up against oceans, inlets, lakes, bayous and more. Both are packed with information about the towns themselves and the details within, from creative and cultural retreats and residencies to broader topics like how to create an inclusive community in a small town. I find myself coming back to them over and over, and I think you will to. Erin is also on Substack: find her at The Field Trip Newsletter, another resource I love.
Upcoming Event | Slider Dinner at No Ordinary Rabbit
For the first time ever, No Ordinary Rabbit is teaming up with 5 Star Burgers on a slider dinner on Sunday, June 28. For those who don’t know, 5 Star owner Steve Gontram is co-owner Dave Zitko’s partner at the Rabbit, and the duo promises that this is no ordinary buns-and-burgers affair.
The six-course menu will begin with a carrot-ginger dip and classic hummus with Moroccan fry bread before diving into the sliders for the evening, which include:
Smoked trout cake with pickled pear and red onion jam and fried pickles
Falafel fritter with herbed tzatziki and fried chickpeas
Pork mixed grill (tenderloin, bacon and pork shoulder) with slaw and coriander-apple mayo
Tangier spiced lamb with golden raisin chutney and seasoned fries
For dessert, the team will serve a pistachio macaron ice cream sandwich with chocolate ice cream. Each course will be paired with either a wine or cocktail from the bar.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner starting at 6 p.m. The event is $75 (does not include tax or tip) and by reservation only: call the restaurant at 314-696-2010 to secure your spot. Seating is limited and will likely sell out: that’s your warning.
Things to do this weekend
So many things to do this weekend, really. Another Central West End Gallery Night happens tonight, June 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop into one of the multitude of restaurants and bars near McPherson and Washington Avenues before (or after) visiting the participating galleries listed above. It looks like a beautiful night to wander; I’ll see you there. Visit CWE Scene’s Instagram for more information.
If you’re feeling indoorsy, two of my favorite films this weekend. Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” and Pedro Almodovar’s “All About My Mother” are screening at The Hi-Pointe Theatre as part of the nineteenth annual QFest Film Festival, which begins tonight. Visit The Hi-Pointe’s website for tickets and the full schedule of events and films.
Foundry Art Centre Block Party: The Steamroller Print Event happens this Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The all-ages event is always a great time, with steamroller printing, a print fair, food trucks, demos and more. Visit Foundry Art Centre’s Instagram for more information about the event.
Sneak Peek | Next Week
I had coffee with Kenny Marks recently to talk about Ozzy’s Market, their bustling provisions shop and deli that’s all about community. Expect that, another installment of The Edit, and who knows what else. I’m Nashville bound for a few days next week, so expect some travel food to find its way into a future Edit.
xoxo, S
That slider dinner sounds insane