Citizen Kane Wins as Patch Readers' Favorite Eatery

The Patch Pick 'Em contest pitted 64 Webster Groves and Kirkwood restaurants in a bracket competition during March and April.

Patch readers have spoken—quite loudly and repeatedly—and when all was said and done, Citizen Kane Steakhouse was crowned the winner of this year's readers' choice competition for local eateries. Boardwalk Cafe in the Patch Pick 'Em finals. Citizen Kane Steakhouse is a steakhouse in the heart of Kirkwood in a Victorian home. Kirkwood and Webster Groves Patch teamed up on Patch Pick 'Em this year. It ran along the same lines as the much-hyped college basketball tournament, except it used Kirkwood and Webster Groves restaurants instead of college basketball squads. Sixty-four restaurants entered the field when the bracket debuted March 13. Readers picked which restaurants would advance.  Congratulations to Boardwalk Cafe and Citizen Kane …

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Readers Mourning Loss of Amici's in Downtown Kirkwood

Patch broke the news that Amici's had closed. That made readers sad.

Patch reported last week on the closing of Amici's restaurant in downtown Kirkwood, six years after it began operating at its location on Kirkwood Road. Amici's posted a notice on Feb. 18 saying it would be closed for renovations, but sources confirmed that it was closed for good. Spokeswoman Kelly Jackson said lack of parking was one of the issues that doomed the restaurant. After the story ran, readers on Facebook and Patch commented about how much they would miss Amici's, however. "Great food, wonderful staff," wrote Robyn. "You should really consider finding another Kirkwood location with better parking! Love this place. Wherever you reopen, I'll come back!" Ron G. wrote that he thought there was plenty of parking in the area, however…

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Business Spotlight

Amici's Closes Doors in Downtown Kirkwood

Owners cite parking woes and increased competition as reasons for shutting down.

A sign posted to Amici's Feb. 18 saying "Closed for Renovations" had residents scratching their heads as they wondered if the restaurant was closed for good. The answer is yes, Amici's is no longer.  Amici's closed its doors after six years of operating in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood. The owners cite parking woes and increased competition as reasons for shutting down. "Parking was a killer for this restaurant as it is for others," Kelly Jackson who handled marketing for the restaurant since last August told Patch. According to Jackson, owner Dave Pullam said the chief complaint from his customers was the parking. Pullam owned Amici's along with Jim McInroy. "The other issue is that too many restaurants were allowed in to compete with …

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Kirkwood Grad to Open New Restaurant in Clayton

Nick Luedde, a '95 Kirkwood High graduate who has worked in Chicago and New York, is teaming up with acclaimed St. Louis chef Josh Galliano.

A Kirkwood High School graduate and restaurateur is looking to serve up a fresh take on the neighborhood eatery with a new restaurant in Clayton.  Nick Luedde, 36, who graduated from Kirkwood High in 1995, along with his wife and fellow restaurateur Audra Luedde and acclaimed St. Louis chef Josh Galliano will open Libertine in Clayton, according to STLtoday. They're calling the concept a "re-imagined neighborhood eatery," with small and large plates ranging from $6 to $22, backed by a wine, cocktail and craft beer program.  Lease details are being finalized, but St. Louis Magazine's George Mahe reports the Libertine will be located at 7927 Forsyth Boulevard in Clayton, a space vacated last year by Chez Leon. Once open, Libertine will serve…

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Business Spotlight

HotPot Smoothie Shop Opens Thursday

Be sure to try "The Kirkwood Patch," the Smoothie of the Month.

After weeks of anticipation, Kirkwood's HotPot Smoothie Shop will open for business Thursday at 7 a.m. The cafe at 11215 Manchester Rd. caters to speciality diets like vegan, vegetarian and low-carb, but there's something for everyone on the menu, according to Manager Becky Schoenig. "We serve pork, beef and chicken, in addition to catering to vegetarians. We definitely serve everybody," Schoenig said. The cafe also offers local produce, cold pressed coffee, infused teas and, of course, smoothies. And upon opening, HotPot Smoothie Shop will offer "The Kirkwood Patch" as its first Smoothie of the Month. The idea for the recipe was the winner of a HotPot Smoothie Shop Facebook contest. "The Kirkwood Patch" has blueberries, extra lemon and is…

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Owen Skoler

4:58 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012

Thanks, Becky. I've made changes to reflect the comment.   more ›

Tobacco Free St. Louis Pushes for Complete Smoking Ban

Group will ask the St. Louis County Council to eliminate smoking ban exemptions.

Tobacco-Free St. Louis will push the St. Louis County Council to expand the current smoking ban in the county to eliminate exemptions to the 2011 Clean Air Act. Businesses eligible for smoking bans include casinos, Lambert International Airport and bars where food makes up a small percentage of sales. The airport later went smoke-free despite its exempt status. The group made the announcement during a press conference Thursday morning at Three Kings Public House in University City. The group said there are currently 145 exemptions to the ban with the majority of those (56) coming in the North County area. There are 20 exemptions in mid-County, 41 in South County and 29 in the West County area. "The most vulnerable are the ones who are most…

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RCOverdrive

12:34 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012

I don't go into them and won't when I have the choice. Thankfully I now have many choices thanks to the bans that have been put in place and the restaurants that choose to abide by the rules. Illinois Bars, Casino Queen, Brewzki's O'Fallon MO, Syberg's Dorsett, Bottleneck Blues Bar, Blueberry Hill... get my business!!!   more ›

Diners Love Ranoush's New Location

Aboud Alhamid's Kirkwood location of his popular Syrian restaurant gets rave reviews online.

Ranoush in Kirkwood—the reiteration of the popular Syrian restaurant on The Loop—seems to be impressing patrons in its new digs on Kirkwood Road. The local bastion of Middle Eastern cuisine seems to be drawing rave reviews from restaurant critics and diners alike. “We have to admit, we were skeptical when we first heard Ranoush was headed to Kirkwood,” Sidney Lewis wrote for Ladue News. “We weren’t sure how receptive local diners would be to Ranoush’s offerings, but we’re happy to say our concerns seem to be unfounded.” Unfounded, indeed. Ranoush, named after owner Aboud Alhamid’s nickname for his wife, earns top scores from online restaurant sites, including Yelp, Foursquare and Trip Advisor. “I would recommend this place to others …

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Parking Purchase: Kirkwood Addresses Concerns

The City of Kirkwood responds to residents' questions surrounding the potential purchase of properties on Jefferson Avenue to create more parking in Downtown Kirkwood.

Following input from residents about the potential purchase of 107 and 113 W. Jefferson Ave., the City of Kirkwood has released the attached Q&A in response to questions and concerns raised on the City of Kirkwood's blog, All Aboard. Members of the Kirkwood City Council will vote on whether to appropriate $1.25 million for the purchase at their Nov. 3 meeting. Note: The "upscale restaurant" referenced in response to the first question refers to Gianino's. Related content:

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Patch Picks: Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Dates

For those of you who prefer to leave plans for the last minute, Patch has some suggestions for a perfectly romantic date night.

Patch Picks: Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Dates

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