Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Blueberry Bacarita

Blueberry Bacarita

What's a bacarita?  It's a lime based cocktail with an agave spirit...so *almost* a margarita, except this spirit is made from an agave variety called Bacanora.  In honor of the hometown team's playoff performance, I decided to make a "BLUES" version - which is, incidentally, not blue at all.  But it's delish!

In a cocktail shaker with ice, blend:

1 shot lime juice
1 shot blueberry syrup (recipe below)
1/2 shot blue curacao
1 1/2 shots Bacanora

Pour into a chilled, salt-sugar rimmed glass and ENJOY!

Blueberry Syrup
1/2 c. fresh blueberries
1/2 c. water
2 T butter
1/4 c. sugar

Boil until berries are softened.  Smash, strain through a fine sieve, then cover and cool until ready to use.


Saturday, June 1, 2019

Hey, Boston...Welcome to Food in The Lou

Enterprise Center Poutine


How does Enterprise Center celebrate the St. Louis Blues playing in the Stanley Cup finals? Like any good St. Louisan would: with pork steaks.

Just in time for the Blues to head back to St. Louis to face off against the Boston Bruins in Game 3, Enterprise Center has unveiled an extensive lineup of 22 new specialty food items. 

The menu was developed by the STL Kitchen team under the direction of executive chef Steven Maak and includes several dishes inspired by the signature flavors of Boston and St. Louis. These include Pork Steak Chowder Poutine with Provel cheese and seasoned waffle fries (near portal 115 and 311); a clam bake with littleneck clams, shrimp, lobster, corn cobette, baby red potato and grilled sourdough (Jack Daniel's Bar) and a lobster roll melt with chopped lobster, celery, green onions, lemon aïoli, Gruyère, Cheddar, Fontina and caramelized onions on a griddled New England roll (Jack Daniels Bar). Near portals 108 and 322, guests will find dueling hot dogs inspired by each city, including the STL Dog with pulled barbecue pork steak, Provel cheese sauce and green onions, as well as the Boston Dog, with baked beans, pork belly and Peppadew relish.

Enterprise Center will also offer St. Louis-inspired food specials throughout the stadium, including the signature Big-As-Your-Head Toasted Ravioli (near portal 102 and 115), the "Mac Schwartzy" Hat-Trick Mac 'n' Cheese with crushed Red Hot Riplet chips and three-cheese sauce (Jack Daniels Bar) and the Budweiser BBQ Beef Dip-Double Minor with shaved beef brisket and Budweiser-infused au jus (Biergarten pop up).

For thirsty fans, signature cocktails will be available in concessions at the Jack Daniel’s Barrel House, Sub-Zero Bar, Brews of the Lou, Top-Shelf and Biergarten; all-inclusive clubs at Bommarito Automotive Group Lounge, Bull and Bear by Stifel, Sub-Zero Vodka Bar, Scott Credit Union Rinkside Club and Pub ’67; and premium concessions at the Bud Light Sports Pub.

Cocktails include the Smoked Blue (Patrón Añejo, mezcal, orange bitters, agave nectar, soda, charred cherry and charred orange and, of course, the aptly named Callin’ Gloria (Grey Goose vodka, elderflower liqueur, thyme-rosemary nectar, grapefruit soda and rosemary salt).

The handful of local restaurants that operate inside the arena will also be offering special dishes throughout the finals. Near portal 117, Byrd & Barrel will be serving Beat Up Beantown Fries (fries topped with baked beans, Provel, toasted ravioli and barbecue sauce). Sugarfire Smoke House will offer Chief Beef (brisket, Canadian bacon, maple barbecue sauce and Cheddar sauce) near portal 11, while sister restaurant Hi-Pointe Drive-In will have The Fat Trick (three patties topped with blue cheese, bacon, Donair sauce and arugula) near portal 3. Unlike the other Stanley Cup offerings from Enterprise Center, these dishes will also be on offer during the watch parties inside the arena on Thu., June 6 and Wed., June 12.

In all, Enterprise Center estimates that fans will eat about 29,400 toasted ravioli throughout the finals. Just remember: The more local eats you try, the more fuel you’ll have to sing "Gloria."

SSS: Salmon, Smoke, Salt



A classy last-minute appetizer: Water Cracker, Boursin, Arugula, Smoked Salmon, Assorted Olives