A Real Find!

My husband and I went to a new restaurant today that's a real winner! It's on Manchester in Maplewood next to the hardware store. Yes, there's a lovely, old fashioned hardware store still operating in Maplewood.

The name of the restaurant is NOSH. This is what I have to say about this wonderful find. The food is delicious, beautiful and fresh, fresh fresh. We had a fabulous lunch there.

We started with the Grilled Clams drizzled with a house made organic herb lemon gremolata and topped with feta cheese, toasted pistachio nuts atop toasted sour dough. There were 8 clams to the order; my husband and I shared it and it was hard to stop when the clams were gone. The Market price today was $10. My husband had the Lobster Lollie for lunch. This consisted of a Rock Lobster tail seasoned with fresh herbs and spices then grilled on an open flame and lightly brushed with garlic butter and served with a blueberry, lemon, feta couscous, Market Price $12.
I had lightly seasoned and breaded fried calamari with a spicy Tandoori Sauce for $9. I also had the Watermelon Salad that was absolutely delicious and refreshing. It consisted of cubed watermelon, organic local blackberries macerated in Vom Fass strawberry vinegar( a neighboring oil and vinegar emporium), topped with feta cheese, organic basil and mint, $8. The portions were perfect.

The lunch menu has about 4 appetizers: a hummus platter, the grilled clams, the calamari, and the lobster lollie, 3 different kabobs, chicken, beef and shrimp, four interesting salads and five sandwiches-2 of which are vegetarian. The dinner menu includes the lunch menu and specials such as lamb chops and pork tenderloin, etc. whatever is farm or ranch fresh and available. So the menu will be changing with the produce and meats to be found locally. There is also a full bar and music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Nosh also serves breakfast. That menu looks fantastic! for instance, 3 scrambled farm fresh eggs with smoked pit ham, caramelized onion,heirloom tomatoes, house potates and rustic toast for $9 and Banana Nut Bread French Toast loaded with Missouri pecans, soaked in custard, then grilled and served with local Missouri syrup and fresh fruit $9. That's just a sampling. There's a dozen more selections and they all sound delicious.

Nosh is owned by Paula Anderson, who is the chef. Paula was in the first graduating class of L'Ecole Culinaire. she's studied in France and has a fine resume'. Her executive chef is Angela Komis and her daughter, Carlin Starr ( daughter of Bud Starr ) is the General Manager. Ask Carlin to show you her cupcake tattoo!

The restaurant seats about 50 people. It has chocolate brown walls with gold tablecloths and terra cotta colored napkins-it's most attractive. Unfortunately their website is not quite ready but I will publish it as soon as it's up and running.

For now: Nosh Restaurant
7322 Manchester Road
314-647-6966

Tell them that "BOO" sent you. You're in for a treat!

Two Delightful Neighborhood Restaurants

My husband and I have had a date every Friday since he's retired to find charming and fun restaurants for lunch while we attempt to do the Friday New York Times' Crossword Puzzle (which is a "bear"!). Lately we have found two such places.

One is the Piccadilly at Manhattan 7201 Piccadilly 63143 314-646-0016. This is a family owned and operated establishment, very attractive with both indoor and outdoor dining. We had yummy fried chicken and meatloaf the day we were there, however the menu is varied and everything is home made.

The other is Mama Josephine's 4000 Shaw 63110 314-771-4001. Mary is the proprieter, Josephine is her mother, whose photograph is prominently displayed on the restaurant's wall. Mary has reproduced her mother's recipes. Josephine was some good cook, and so is Mary. This is a real neighborhood place and to encourage that, Mary has asked her neighbors to submit their favorite family dessert and if it is a hit with her patrons it goes on the menu. The day we were there we had lemon chess pie and fresh peach cobbler. Yum.

Both of these eateries are charming and serve delicious down home food. We recommend them to you. We are lucky to have these two terrific restaurants in St Louis.