Chicken Marsala
First We Eat; Then We Do Everything Else
During our bi-weekly outings, Cyndy and I often combine lunch and a visit to the Kirkwood farmers’ market. Ahh. . . a good paring it is.
This week we started with lunch. Fortunately, Kirkwood has some of the finest restaurant patios around. We tried to get in at Billy G’s across from the railroad tracks, but there was a 30-minute wait.
We moved on to Pepe’s Apt. 2. I’d eaten splendid meals in their spiffy dining room before, but never on the patio. I only saw the outdoor space in the winter, but thought how lovely it must be when the planting were in full bloom.
Indeed, the garden/patio was lovely. But the area is small—six umbrellaed tables separated by well-manicured hedges and highlighted with plantings.
A garden fit for a royal tea party.
The restaurant snuggles onto a busy corner of South Geyer. The patio is blocked visually from the street, but still open to “the sounds of the city.”
Even so, I could have sat there all afternoon downing glass after glass of iced tea. But they close for lunch at 2 p.m.
Pepe’s House Salad makes you feel like you’re dining of The Hill.
Chicken Marsala with Potatoes and Squash. Cyndy offered a taste. The chicken was as moist and tender as any I’ve ever had.
Chocolate Ice Cream Pie, half eaten by the two of us before I could photograph the luscious dessert.
Indoor seating offers an all white decor for elegant dining.
On to the Farmers’ Market
This is tomato, peach and melon season. So the trip to Kirkwood Farmers’ Market was all the more necessary and rewarding.
I ran onto some Black Sapphire Grapes. Now these elongated seedless, extra sweet grapes were new to me. While they look funky—for grapes—they are the result of simple, old-time methods of plant breeding. They are certified organic. No genetic modifications.
Black Sapphire Grapes (Pick a spelling of the name that suits you.) These sweet grapes are crispy when you bite into them. A similar elongated grape, Moon Drop, is even sweeter.
These monster cantaloupes are nearly the size of a volley ball. I got a smaller, extra sweet variety that I cut into chunks for a healthy, handy snack.
Cyndy buying her favorite melon.
Hmm . . . tomatoes and basil. I see a Caprese in the making.
These days we have to be more creative (as well as cautious) when socializing or shopping. An outdoor market and a cozy, floral patio give you a feeling of old times. Almost.
Pepe’s Apt. 2. (Italian Cuisine with a Mediterranean flair). 800 S. Geyer in Kirkwood. Owner: Peppe Profeta; Hours: noon=2p; 5p-11p.
Kirkwood Farmers’ Market: 150 E. Argonne Dr. in Kirkwood, east of the train station. Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-6p; Sat 8a-5p; Sun 10a-5p.
