Music, Food and Drinks at Brandt’s Cafe
Posted on December 6th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
There are many St. Louis institutions in the University City Loop. One of
them is Brandt’s Café, 6525 Delmar Blvd., which has been serving patrons in the Loop for 25 years. Brandt’s patio is usually packed during warm-weather months, but it’s the inside that rocks the rest of the year. There’s live music on Tuesday and every weekend night, and check the schedule for karaoke and trivia nights.
If you are coming simply for the food and drink, you will not be disappointed. Brandt’s is known for its wide beer selection, which it bills as the top 100 beers in the world. The food menu is just as diverse. Appetizers include crab cakes, beef Wellington bites and buffalo chicken wontons. For entrees, try shrimp and cheddar grits, or the vegetable lasagna. Brandt’s also has a unique Sunday brunch menu, which features various omelets and standards such as biscuits and gravy. For more information, visit www.brandtscafe.com.
Tags: St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Nightlife, The Loop
The 19th Annual St. Louis International Film Festival Arrives Next Week
Posted on November 7th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
The 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival arrives next week! It begins Thursday, Nov. 11 and will run for 10 days at select venues throughout the St. Louis area. The primary venues this year are the Tivoli Theatre, the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Plaza Frontenac and Webster University. One of the largest such festivals in the Midwest, the St. Louis International Film Festival includes nearly 100 feature films, as well as numerous documentaries and short film programs. Its purpose is to spotlight the best filmmakers in the world, whether these persons are newly emerging artists or decorated directors with long-established reputations.
This year’s festival features films from countries around the globe, including such faraway places as Argentina, Poland and the U.K. There are also numerous events through the 10 days, including a tribute to director George Hickenlooper and a screening of his film Casino Jack at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 11 at the Tivoli, which kicks off the festival. Due to the tragic death of Mr. Hickenlooper last month, the planned cocktail party has been cancelled and a tribute will be held instead starting at 6:30 p.m. All “Casino Jack” ticket holders are invited to attend this event.
For more information on the festival, such as screening times and events, visit http://www.cinemastlouis.org/festival.
Tags: St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Loop
Ice, Ice Carnival
Posted on January 11th, 2010 by Erin Callier
The recent sub-zero wind-chills and inclement weather have resulted in most of us remaining indoors in a sort of ice induced house arrest, but much to everyone’s delight, the weather powers-that-be seem to be predicting a reprieve from this arctic spell. 
We can’t think of any better way to celebrate the expected above freezing temps than the fifth-annual Loop Ice Carnival this Saturday, January 16. Bundle up (hey, it’s still going to be pretty cold) and take to Delmar Boulevard for a carnival like you’ve never experienced.
There will be all the usual, family-friendly carnival accoutrements; a stilt-walker, mime, jugglers, and fire performers, a 18-foot slide between the Pageant and the Moonrise Hotel, a S’more Roast at the Craft Alliance, ice carving demonstrations in the Fitz’s parking lot from noon to 4 p.m., over 30 ice sculptures lining Delmar, and much more.
Starting at 11 a.m., there will also be a Temporary Tattoo Scavenger Hunt, in which participants will strive to collect 15 tattoos at participating stores, then claim their prize at The Pageant. Participating stores will have green circles in their window.
For the of-age kids there will be a Putt Putt Pub Crawl from noon-5 p.m., where aspiring duffers can fit in twelve holes of golf and some adult beverages at various Loop hot spots. Participants can pick up their scorecards and begin at Cicero’s or Halo at The Pageant. Other venues include: Pin-Up Bowl, Pi, Blueberry Hill, Eclipse and more. The Putt Putt Pub Crawl will wrap up at Cicero’s at 6 p.m. with prices and a party. The Loop Website, says that golf attire is optional, but if it were up to us, we’d say encouraged.
For more information on the Loop Ice Carnival and its many festivities, click here.
Tags: 2010 Loop Ice Carnival, Cicero's, Fitz's, Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis Entertainment & Attractions, The Loop, The Pageant
Sunday, Bloody Mary Sunday
Posted on November 13th, 2009 by Erin Callier
Do you fancy yourself a cocktail-connoisseur? A Bloody Mary Buff? Have you figured out the perfect blend of Tabasco and celery salt? Then test your Bloody Mary prowess this Sunday, Nov. 15th, at Eclipse Restaurant‘s first-ever Bloody Mary Competition. 
Located at the Moonrise Hotel in The Loop, Eclipse is launching their new Bloody Mary Bar with a battle so bloody, no celery stalk will be left standing. The challenge will begin at 11 a.m. sharp, and competitors will be able to utilize over two dozen hot sauces, a large selection of handmade pickled vegetables, a variety of salts and spices, and house-made mixes in their pursuit of the title for Best Bloody Mary.
Now, as for what the victor will receive (other than bragging rights and sheer pride at having concocted the finest tomato-based libation of them all), remains unclear. Maybe a jar of mini gherkins, perhaps?
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, Eclipse’s new Bloody Mary Bar will be added to the restaurant’s repertoire every Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information on Eclipse and to view their menus, click here.
Tags: Eclipse Restaurant, Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis Dining, The Loop
Micro-Pricing at MacroSun International
Posted on November 13th, 2009 by Erin Callier
There’s nothing quite like the words “store-wide sale” to get a shopper’s blood flowing . . . especially this time of year. Add a bit of social and global consciousness into the the mix and we’re sold, or in this case, the intricately woven textile from Indonesia is sold! 
In an effort to make this holiday season as Fair Trade as possible, the Fair-Trade focused folks at MacroSun International in the Loop and Downtown, are discounting every single item at both locations. From now until November 23, the entire MacroSun inventory, which is made up of distinctive handcrafted goods from South Asian artisans, is at least 20% off, and some, slightly damaged and clearance items are even marked down by 70%.
With their newest shipment currently being uncrated, now is the time to shop MacroSun’s warm Himalayan winterwear, Napalese stone and sterling jewelry, vibrant tapestries and antique textiles from India, fine Buddhist and Hindu artwork, tribal carvings, whimsical home decor from Java and much more.
Also, in celebration of this macro-sale, MacroSun’s Loop location is offering free Henna body art on Saturday, Nov. 14 & the 21 from 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
For more information on this fair trade retailer and to shop their online store, visit the MacroSun International Website.
Tags: Downtown St. Louis, MacroSun International, St. Louis Shopping, The Loop
Pi Squared Equals Double the Yum!
Posted on November 5th, 2009 by Erin Callier
When the owners of Pi brought their pizza recipe from the City by the Bay to the Delmar Loop in 2008, it was a true San Fransisco treat for St. Louisans. Later that year, a certain head of state (rhymes with Shmarock Shobama) sampled a taste of Pi’s deep-dish wonder during a campaign stop in St. Louis and, as legend would have it, was instantly hooked. So hooked in fact, that when he settled in at the White House, he actually called in a long-distance delivery from Pi.
Ever since Pi received Obama’s infamous seal of approval, which co-owner Chris Sommers calls Pi’s “own private stimulus package,” this mathematically-monikered pizza joint has literally multiplied. In it’s third week of operations, Pi Squared in Kirkwood offers the same dedication to unique flavors, eco-friendly practices and downright deliciousness. The menu at Pi Squared features all the same favorites that Pi-lovers have come to savor, plus a few yummy jolts, like spectacular malts and other fantastic soda fountain classics.
And, as if the newest location of President Obama’s favorite pizza place didn’t already add up to sheer gastronomic happiness, Pi is slated to cube its burgeoning empire with a third location on the corner of Euclid & McPherson in the Central West End later this year.
For more information on Pi, and to stay tuned for their newest location visit RestaurantPi.com
Tags: Central West End, Kirkwood, Pi Restaurant, St. Louis Dining, St. Louis Pizza, The Loop
Clothing . . . They Just Don’t Make It Like They Used To
Posted on June 5th, 2009 by Erin Callier
While St. Louis boasts a blossoming variety of swank boutiques, there is also a colorful array of well-established vintage shops that offer one-of-a-kind finds and rare fashions that are well worth the hunt. If you long for the days of hat pins and watch fobs, Alice’s Vintage Clothes in the Loop can be your own little slice of vintage Eden. 6178 Delmar Blvd., 314.361.4006. A few blocks west of Alice’s, Avalon Exchange is the place to go for oversized sunglasses and ironic t-shirts. Offering men’s and women’s fashions, Avalon Exchange is a vintage chain store that promises a constant flux of erstwhile fashions for the hipster in us all. 6388 Delmar Blvd., 314.725.2760. Located on Cherokee Antique Row, Ruth’s Vintage Clothing features rack upon rack of authentic vintage fashions and an eclectic assortment of accessories. 2003 Cherokee Ave., 314.865.1091. In addition to its whimsical moniker, the Vintage Haberdashery offers vintage-hunters a funky selection of clothing and accessories, and yes, a large inventory of hats from days gone by. 3181 Morganford Rd., 314. 772.1927.
Tags: Alice’s Vintage Clothes, Avalon Exchange, Ruth’s Vintage Clothing, St. Louis Shopping, The Loop