I still have lunch from time to time with my former neighbors, the Gilbys, shown here at Parker’s Table in Richmond Heights.
Reading a recent article in Sauce reminded me that I had not been to Parker’s Table for a while. The gourmet wine and sandwich shop on Oakland is just a stone’s throw off Clayton Road near the corner of Forest Park. A hundred years ago the building was the Richmond Heights post office. It still has convenient head-in parking just outside the door. I like that in a store.
Stop by Around Lunch Time
Likely Jonathan Parker himself will be on hand to greet you warmly. On Tuesday we also had a chance to visit with kitchen guru Jay Stringer, when we placed the order for our sandwich flight. My friends and I decided to get three varieties and split them. Jay offered to cut the sandwiches into thirds for us, so we could have a taste of each. Splendid!
Jay Stringer, keeps the kitchen humming at Parker’s Table
Gourmet cheeses for all occasions
Sandwich boards hangs over the deli at the rear of the store.
As a bonus, the artisan sandwiches come with gourmet chips and drink. I got a bag of Guinness (no, not a bottle), but a bag of their chips. I didn’t know the renown brewer made chips! They were quite good. For my drink, I selected a Perrier from the display cooler. Both chips and drinks were upscale offerings for a deli meal and a good pairing for the awesome sandwiches.
Food came attractively plated and with real dinnerware. And the carpet beneath the tables added a homey feel. Little touches matter even in a small deli. Did I mention the chairs were comfortable?
Sandwiches at Parker’s Table are made from an array of Old World cured meats. (Left): the Prosciutto Cotto with ham and cheese on ciabatta along with pickled red onions, Gruyere and mustard. (Center): The Beast (my favorite) came with hot salsiccia and mustard, and a combo of red peppers, roasted onions and tomato paste. (Right): The Speck, a bacon-flavored ham, that’s been smoked and aged. Paired with Gruyere, mustard and preserved lemon made in house.
The House Salad is a Mediterranean-style combo of olives, pimentos, red onions, artichoke hearts, and crisp greens with a light lemony dressing.
Pears in Red Wine with Camembert cheese. Wow! Light, simple and elegant.
Expanding “The Table”
Jonathan Parker describes the new space available for special events at Parker’s Table.
After lunch. as we lingered to chat, Jonathan asked if we’d like to see the new Tasting Room. Sure, we were up for any adventure. Jon recently acquired the space adjoining his building, that was once the local grocery during the 1930s, when the street was a main thoroughfare in the area.
Parker has turned the newly acquired space into a cozy lounge for drinks, meals, and meetings. I was so intrigued by the map on the bar (hidden in far left of photo), that I neglected to take a photo. The design created with wine corks shows the convergence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
In addition to sandwiches, wines and cheese, Parker’s Table offers specialty products from around the world—pasta, olive oil, vinegar, bread, cookies, candy and nuts. I bought some duck fat for roasting vegetables and a box of Italian Pistachio biscotti.
Parker’s Table. 7118 on the corner of Oakland and Yale. Richmond Heights. Open: Mon-Sat 9a-7p. Lunch: served Mon-Sat 11a-2p. Owner: Jonathan Parker.
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