Who's "Vincent"?
Joe, can you offer any insight or opinions about the closing of Busch's Grove?
Insight: It never followed a capitalist business model. The renovation was incredible, but it never made any economic sense. Lester Miller always said it wasn't a matter of money, but I have to believe that even he had his limits.
Plus it never got a good buzz in the food community, and it never appeared to me to have reclaimed its old-money Ladue following.
Opinion: My review of the place is now the stuff of legend. It really wasn't a bad review at all, but it then took on a life of its own.
It'll be interesting to see how this ultimately plays out.
Plus it never got a good buzz in the food community, and it never appeared to me to have reclaimed its old-money Ladue following.
Opinion: My review of the place is now the stuff of legend. It really wasn't a bad review at all, but it then took on a life of its own.
It'll be interesting to see how this ultimately plays out.
Apparently.bonwich wrote:Lester Miller always said it wasn't a matter of money, but I have to believe that even he had his limits.
bonwich wrote:Insight: It never followed a capitalist business model. The renovation was incredible, but it never made any economic sense. Lester Miller always said it wasn't a matter of money, but I have to believe that even he had his limits.
Plus it never got a good buzz in the food community, and it never appeared to me to have reclaimed its old-money Ladue following.
Opinion: My review of the place is now the stuff of legend. It really wasn't a bad review at all, but it then took on a life of its own.
It'll be interesting to see how this ultimately plays out.
You mean the full page ad he took out in the post to respond to your review?
bonwich wrote:Nothing like a full-page ad to create a legend.
I hope you've got the ad framed and hung somewhere.
how unfortunate. This is EXACTLY why the city of Ladue should NOT have let him tear the original building down. not that it was THAT historic, but on the other hand, tearing that place down, which was had a STRONG St. Louis/old money following to build some nouveux riche restaurant fit for Beverly Hills in Ladue was a total mistake. Bring back the cabins and outdoor bar! that's the ONLY way to bring that place back. It was a very cool space, but it just didn't belong in Ladue.
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Read Big Whitt's Column
It may not be long before the sparkling Busch's Grove will be borrowing a little star power from the highly acclaimed Tony's.
Tony's Vince Bommarito says he is "looking at" an alliance with Busch's Grove owner Lester Miller. Sources say Bommarito is negotiating a lease deal for the 111-year-old county landmark on Clayton Road, which is set to close on May 24. Miller spent a reputed $8 million to spiff it up in 2004.
"We're looking at it, but it's too early to say anything else," said Bommarito. "There is something to it, and then there is nothing to it. I can't say any more than that right now."
The 75-year-old Miller has declared that Busch's Grove was a labor of love, and that it would remain a restaurant as long as he was alive.
He has held to this through rumors of it closing or becoming a party venue and through a series of full-page color advertisements in different publications and billboards in an attempt to pump up business.
Miller couldn't be reached for comment.
Tony's, at 410 Market Street, is the only restaurant in Missouri to receive the AAA five-diamond award and is rated four stars by the Mobil Travel Guide.
kustramo wrote:Maybe Tony's is moving...?
perhaps a return of Anthony's?
IMHO, the place is completely out of step with consumer preferences. The menu is awful. Definately makes no economic sense either as Joe said.
It should be a microbrewery, upscale but casual and relaxed, with moderate prices. Keep the jazz but loose the tuxedos. Should be open for lunch, maybe breakfast too. Winery could work there too.
It should be a microbrewery, upscale but casual and relaxed, with moderate prices. Keep the jazz but loose the tuxedos. Should be open for lunch, maybe breakfast too. Winery could work there too.
In related and encouraging news for this and similar establishments, the Post Dispatch reports that Cougars are making a comeback in the Midwest. Ref: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
Busch's Grove to become a gourmet grocery store.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... enDocument
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... enDocument
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kustramo wrote:Isn't Ladue Market right across the street?
Gourmet and Ladue Market don't go hand in hand.
innov8ion wrote:In related and encouraging news for this and similar establishments, the Post Dispatch reports that Cougars are making a comeback in the Midwest. Ref: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/s ... enDocument
yup sure are... riverfront times did an article also...
http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2008-07- ... ug-heaven/
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JeremyPivenlovesme wrote:kustramo wrote:Isn't Ladue Market right across the street?
Gourmet and Ladue Market don't go hand in hand.
They're pretty damn close. Find me another grocery store with their level of service and personal touch. It's the last remaining neighborhood grocery store in the area. I hope to god this new one doesn't hurt it in any significant way.
migueltejada wrote:It's the last remaining neighborhood grocery store in the area. I hope to god this new one doesn't hurt it in any significant way.
Winslow's Home, Johnny's, Sappington Farmer's Market and Vincent's, among others, might just take issue with you there.
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^ none of which are in the ladue/frontenac clayton area. Your definition of "area" is pretty broad.
And yours was ambiguous. There are few "neighborhood groceries" overall; the fact that one remained in Ladue proper was more a function of demographics than anything else.
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migueltejada wrote:JeremyPivenlovesme wrote:kustramo wrote:Isn't Ladue Market right across the street?
Gourmet and Ladue Market don't go hand in hand.
They're pretty damn close. Find me another grocery store with their level of service and personal touch. It's the last remaining neighborhood grocery store in the area. I hope to god this new one doesn't hurt it in any significant way.
Obviously 'gourmet' means something totally different between the two of us then.