Every year around this time, I check in with The Brass Rail Steakhouse (4601 Highway K) in OâFallon, Missouri, which for 12 years has provided tens of thousands of Thanksgiving meals to metro area families in needâno questions asked. With demand even higher this year, it was heartening to see the operation running at full speed. I continue to marvel at the organization, speed, and efficiency required to prepare and assemble the bounty, all of it packed in bankerâs boxes and delivered by early afternoon on Thanksgiving Day. (To sign up for a meal or to make a donation, click here.) As usual, the production roster filled quickly, but delivery drivers are welcome to simply âshow up and queue up.â Itâs one of the regionâs most inspiring grassroots effortsâand a meaningful way to start the holiday. See you in the delivery line.
In December, one of the topics on the Arch Eats podcast will be âholiday hacksââand we want to hear from you! Share your favorite holiday tricks or short cuts for cooking and/or entertaining, and weâll discuss the topic on the episode. Email your questions or send a voice note to podcasts@stlmag.com.
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From Dubai chocolate to dirty sodas and birria, George and Cheryl dish out their unfiltered opinions on which food trends are worth the hype.Listen on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, and YouTube »
Hot Spot
Reserve Your Chalet Now
Donât let todayâs mild weather fool you. Cold nights are on the way and so is the chance to snag one of the cityâs most charming and hard-to-book outdoor dining spots. Edera (48 Maryland Plaza) in the Central West End has once again turned its courtyard patio into a sparkling holiday garden, complete with six intimate dining âchalets.â The Piccolo seats two guests, while five Grande Chalets accommodate four to eight. Chalets are available MondayâSaturday with two nightly seatings at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m and a time limit of two hours. And although the chalets are heated, guests are encouraged to dress warmly and bring a blanket, if desired. For more information or to make a reservation, click here.
Insider Tip
Chef Benâs Global Gift Boxes
Fresh off the city declaring November 11 âBen Poremba Day,â the celebrated chef is channeling that enthusiasm into Atlas Gift Co., a new line of six curated, culinary-inspired gift boxes. Made in St. Louis and packed with Porembaâs favorite picks, the setsâthink A Night in Italy, Breakfast in Paris, or Spanish Happy Hourâoffer the recipient a little journey around the world and into the chefâs kitchen. The sets are designed for individuals or groups, and custom branding, personal notes, pickup, delivery, and select national shipping are available. âWe wanted to shake up our holiday gifting this year,â Poremba says, by providing âsomething a little more personal, a little more delicious, and a lot more fun to share.â For details and to place an order, click here.
Microrant
Too Small Water Glasses
We understand that smaller water glasses can enhance a tableâs visual appearance, but when diners spend more time waiting for refills than enjoying their meal, aesthetics have gone too far: Design should never trump hospitality and customer satisfaction. Weâre not asking for giant tumblers, mind you, just enough hydration for us thirsty folk to survive dinner without flagging down the server every 10 minutes.
A MESSAGE FROM THE BACH SOCIETY OF ST. LOUIS
A treasured holiday tradition perfect for all ages
Gather around the music and magic that make this season special. The Bach Society of Saint Louisâ Christmas Candlelight Concert returns to the newly transformed Powell Hall on December 23.
The Menu: Order handmade xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and roujiamo (Chinese sandwiches), âtwo iconic dishes that represent the heart of traditional Chinese street food,â says owner Zhao. Dumplings are filled with pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, and cheese. They can be steamed or pan-fried. Roujiamo features slow-cooked meats and flaky house-made flatbread. Additional offerings include chili oil wontons, pork or shrimp shumai, and boba teas.
Find the St. Louis neighborhood that fits your lifestyle
Are you a foodie, outdoor enthusiast, or avid shopper? With guidance from a knowledgeable real estate team, finding your community has never been easier. Find your dream neighborhood with The Peter Lu Team.
The Pasta House Company returns to its roots, launches Bastiano's pizza
The Backstory: The Bastianoâs legacy traces back to the early 1960s, when Joe Fresta Sr.'s father opened the pizzeria on The Hill. Fresta Sr. later took over the shop, running it while working as a carpenter alongside other future St. Louis food legends. In 1974, Fresta Sr. and his partners founded The Pasta House Company, which has been quietly using the Bastiano's pizza recipe ever since. Now, the company is embracing those roots to "tell their story" and celebrate their foundation.
The Pizza: The Pasta House is reconnecting with its roots by bringing back Bastianoâs pizza, featuring a thin, fresh, crispy St. Louis-style crust, a zesty red sauce recipe from Fresta Sr.âs father, gooey Provel-style cheese, and fresh, high-quality ingredients. Itâs available for dine-in, carryout, or delivery. A frozen product is also being considered that could be sold from freezers in Pasta House restaurants. âWe are thinking of a lot of different ways to expand it,â says partner Joe Fresta Jr.
Cozy up with festive dinners, seasonal cocktails, and warm drinks in Effingham... where every table feels like coming home for the holidays. Plan your getaway.
Spend Saturday, November 22, celebrating the reason for the season in downtown St. Louis. Enjoy the Thanksgiving Parade, followed by Winterfest and The Salvation Armyâs annual tree lighting in Kiener Plaza. Celebrate St. Louis.
Plant Italia (12955 Olive): A new 100 percent vegan Italian ghost kitchen from Bombay Food Junkies owners Sid and Krupa Panchal is set to open later this month inside their Creve Coeur restaurant. Offering takeout and delivery only, it will serve fresh, affordable, plant-based takes on Italian comfort food, including appetizers, pastas, paninis, and desserts. Highlights range from Eggplant Parmesan and homemade meatballs to customizable pasta and vegan cheesecakes. Inaugural hours are from 11:30 a.m.â4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Patisserie Svoi (8 S. Euclid): âAfter 13 months of searching, I finally found the place that feels just right,â Taisiia Hrynchyshyna wrote on social media of her upcoming brick-and-mortar pastry shop, located in the former Mainlander space in the Central West End. Signs have been posted in the window. More as we learn it.
Cousins Maine Lobster (food truck): Cousins Maine Lobster, the nationally recognized fast-casual lobster brand made famous on Shark Tank, is launching its first St. Louis area food truck in April 2026. Local entrepreneurs Sam, Tommy, and Tarik Ramadan are partnering to introduce the Maine lobster experience to Missouri, expanding CMLâs Midwest footprint as the brand continues its rapid national growth, adding nearly 20 new units this year. âWhen a Cousins Maine Lobster truck from a neighboring market stopped in St. Louis, the response was incredible,â says Sam. âSeeing the excitement firsthand really caught our attention, and it was clear the brand had something special.â
Catch up on whatâs happening in Chesterfield with a weekly digest of can't-miss events and community news. Subscribe to St. Louis Magazine's new Chesterfield newsletter.
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