Lunch at Pi Pizza in the Loop
The year is half over. I’ve had some mighty delicious food around the St. Louis area during the last six months. Here’s a few dishes that got my attention. As it turned out, most of my preferences are ethnic, because that’s where much of the new flavor combinations are coming from today.
Therefore, I bestow my coveted Smiling Spoon Award on the following menu items (in no particular order) for their palate pleasing performance. And the winners are . . .
Sorrentina (Giovanni’s Kitchen)
This colorful and well-constructed lunch menu item is built on roasted eggplant, homemade mozzarella, basil and fresh tomatoes.
Chinese BBQ Chicken Salad (Cardwell’s at the Plaza)
This repeat honoree (can’t get enough of this colorful, crunchy salad) is a medley of crisp greens, broccoli, daikon sprouts, spicy peanuts, fried noodles and spicy peanut dressing.
B.L.A.T. Sandwich (Russell’s on Macklind)
A stunning twist on the traditional BLT. The sandwich comes with house-cut smoked bacon, green leaf lettuce, avocado, thick-cut tomato, and house mayo on multigrain bread.
Dewberry Dessert (Vicia)
Dewberry Dessert made with dewberries, citrus cake, chocolate, and yogurt.
Sizzling Eggplant (Cate Zone)
Culinary kudos to Cate Zone for a new flavor take on eggplant.
Baba Ganoush (Ya Ya’s EuroCafe)
Ya Ya’s in Chesterfield makes their signature baba ganoush with eggplant, garlic, and yogurt topped with herb oil and a sprinkle of za’atar (an Arabic spice blend).
Bun Bo Xao (Banh Mi So)
This bowl of Vietnamese goodness is light and tasty with thin, tender slivers of sautéed beef, onions, sprouts, lettuce, and carrots over vermicelli rice noodles. Served with house sauce.
Cookies (The Benevolent King)
These incredibly tasty cookies are made by Rachel Poremba (mother of Chef Ben Poremba)
Korean Fried Chicken Sliders (Vista Ramen)
At Vista Ramen on Cherokee, these flavor-rockin’ chicken sliders come on a Hawaiian roll with fish sauce and pickles.
Italian Chopped Salad (Charlie Gitto from the Hill—Chesterfield)
Charlie Gitto’s Italian Chopped Salad of mixed greens, red onions, tomatoes, zucchini, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini, white beans, bacon, blue cheese and Genoa salami, tossed in sweet and sour Italian vinaigrette.
Green-Apple Celery Mousse (Elaia)
Green Apple-Celery Mousse. There were about 2 spoonsful to this amuse bouche, but they were inspired.
Mahogany-Glazed Spare Ribs (Billie Jean)
These are some righteous ribs!
Mango Fluffy Ice (Corner 17)
This is incredibly light, fluffy and cool. Perfect summer dessert!
