Menya Rui

I couldn't WAIT to take Patience to this new ramen shop that recently opened nearby and it's quite the experience!

We got there a few minutes after they opened for the evening, and there was already a line. I was confused by this, but once we got inside, I understood there is VERY limited seating. This restaurant felt very "big city" ramen shop.

They seat you wherever there is a stool available and we shared a table with some strangers. While there is maybe one or two other tables, the rest is bar style seating. 

At the time we went, there were two appetizers to try in addition to the ramen, so we got both! 

The first was Karaage, Japanese fried chicken served with Kewpie mayo.

Karaage

The pickled cucumbers were delicious. Definitely recommend this one as an appetizer.

Pickled Cucumbers

But the ramen was beautiful. Pork for Patience, chicken for me.

Pork Ramen

If you're a ramen fan, be sure to put this one on your list, but make sure you have enough time to wait for it. 

NOTE: They do NOT do take out! 

Resources:

Menya Rui = https://www.facebook.com/menyaruistl

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Bluewood Brewing and Burger 809

Late June, I had a friend come in town to visit, and he regretted not making it to Bluewood Brewing as he tried to cram in as many St. Louis breweries as he could while he was here. Then I realized I forgot to make a reservation for a scheduled dinner, and luckily, the brewery name was still fresh in my mind!

As soon as we pulled up to Bluewood Brewing, I knew exactly where I was... it's the old Table! No wait, the old Stable! I miss both of the previous restaurants, but excited to try this new version.

Bluewood Brewing

If you've never been, this brewery / restaurant, it has an incredibly large space with a small stage and patio attached. Be sure to add it to your list of breweries to check out!

In the little kitchen window space, near the bar, Burger 809, has taken up residence serving sliders. What a perfect match with beer! 

We tried several sliders and I was filled up on two! (I had to take the third one home.) 

Sliders from Burger 809

My favorite was Hey Henry! - it was topped with their Baked Mac and Cheese!

Hey Henry! - Your mac n cheese is on my burger!

Not to mention full size sides - Onion Rings for Patience, but Cheesy Fries for me!!

Onion Rings and Cheesy Fries

Cheers!

Resources:

Bluewood Brewing = https://www.bluewoodbrewing.com/

Burger 809 = https://burger809.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Rock Star Tacos

Cheers to Dan!

I ran into Wil Pelly at a salute to a friend's passing and that was the final sign I needed to get over to Rock Star Tacos. Now that they've moved to the city, I had no excuse.

Luckily, it was also my turn for selecting Take Out Friday!

The best part is reading all the taco (band) names, and we'll definitely have to go back to try more of them. 

Pai wanted to try the Skinny (Hush) Puppies (I guess they couldn't call them Sick Puppies, which is one of my favorite bands), so we got the starter size! 

Skinny Puppies

Pai and I stuck with our favorites...I ordered the Fish You Were Here and the Thunder Cluck, while she chose the Shrimp Bizkit and the Birria Dollar Babies.

Tacos!

Pai raved about the Birria so special close up on that one!

Birilla Taco 

And I couldn't stay away from the Mac and Diane side... it had green chilis in it, but it wasn't too spicy for me at all! It was definitely ooey and gooey as stated on the menu!

Mac and Diane

I also got to see Naomi behind the bar when I went to pick up the food so be sure to make it TO the restaurant so you can have a proper drink with your tacos.

Resources:

Rock Start Tacos = https://www.toasttab.com/gas-light-4916-shaw-ave/v3

Photos by Patience Scanlon

PW Pizza Mother's Brewing Beer Dinner

I THINK I've had Mother's Brewing beer before, but I can't find any record of it, and I think that's crazy because they're located not that far away in Springfield, MO!

I love the "tatoo-esque" labels on the beer too.

Mother's Brewing Beer Dinner

There was another unique appetizer for this PW Pizza beer dinner...Italian Nachos! Can't go wrong with anything smothered in mozzarella cheese! There was also pepperoni, sausage, and pepperoncini with a marinara sauce on the side to make it like a pizza on tortilla chips.

Even with all these Italian flavors, this was paired with a lighter beer, the Lake Break, which is a Golden Ale. So smooth.

Italian Nachos

The first pizza, The Bard, (the pizza on the left below), had gruyere, ground beef, mushrooms, onion and spinach. So much going on! This was paired with the Super Solid, a citrusy IPA.

The second pizza, The Tiger, also had a lot of cheese, mozzarella and Monterey jack, but this had chicken and caramelized onion, basil and came with a buffalo sauce drizzle. Another IPA was necessary to cool off the buffalo sauce and this one was a bit bigger at 6.0% ABV.

The Bard and The Tiger Pizza

Dessert was my second favorite course since it was a Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake! It was very dense though and was paired with Three Blind Mice, which was a stout with mild notes of caramel and toffee.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Hopefully we'll see more Mother's Brewing beer since they're not too far away! 

Mother's Brewing Menu

Resources:

PW Pizza = https://pwpizza.com/

Mother's Brewing Company = https://www.mothersbrewing.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Little Fox

I forgot to ask what the "Little Fox" says, so I guess I'll have to go back!

Seriously, I finally found a friend willing to celebrate their birthday with me, giving me an excuse to get to try out this well-hyped restaurant. My coworker rehabbed a home in the Fox Park area during COVID and constantly raved about this place to me. It was at the top of my list for my birthday back in January, but I think this worked out better to wait, as dining on the patio area made the experience top-notch.

I was really torn about the menu...normally I prefer to try as many small plates as possible, but they seem to be more "side dishes" to go with the entrees. Regardless, we picked something from each section of the menu.

I let the birthday girl pick a "snack", the 'Nduja Croquettas.

'Nduja Croquettas

I immediately knew I wanted the Green Tomatoes from the Small Plates section, while Patience just had to get the Short Ribs. These two together would have made a nice meal together.

Green Tomatoes

Short Ribs

Patience couldn't get enough beef apparently and ordered the Flatiron Steak entree.

Flatiron Steak

The birthday girl chose the Pork Chop.

Pork chop

I picked the Pan Roasted Cod, which covered three out of four entrees!

Pan Roasted Cod

Desserts were quite pretty as well...

Strawberry layered dessert

Interesting cocktail list with something for everyone. Here is my Little Fox Martini.

Little Fox Martini

My favorite, Love Shack, was fun and fruity and I could down these easily.

Love Shack

Pai's Corner Office and Pink Negroni definitely had a lot going on!

Corner Office

Pink Negroni

Be sure to plan in advance and make a reservation if you want to get in here!

Cocktails and more...

All the dishes...

Resources:

Little Fox = https://www.littlefoxstl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon