All Entries Tagged With: "Woodson Terrace"

Announcing the Great NoCo Pizza Challenge!

NOCO fans, I hope you’re ready for an adventure! Because we’re about to undertake a four-month culinary odyssey, with the goal of answering one very important question: Who has the best pizza in North County?

I started thinking about this a few weeks ago, after dining at two classic local pizza joints that I hadn’t visited in quite some time. One totally lived up to its reputation. The other…well, let’s just say it was an off night.

Both of these restaurants are included in The Great NoCo Pizza Challenge, along with 20 more from all across the area that were nominated by you, the readers. Only independent North County restaurants are eligible, so there are no chains or franchises in this competition, although a few of the places do have another location somewhere else. For our purposes, please vote only on the North County location.

Here’s how the voting will work… Starting December 29, two restaurants will go head to head in a randomly selected match-up. Every Wednesday at 11am, a new match-up will begin and you will have one week to cast your vote. Winners will proceed through the brackets until the grand champion is announced on April 27, 2011.

There will be a “People’s Choice” champion and an “Editor’s Choice,” and for my part, I will actually purchase and review at least one pizza from all 22 restaurants. In support of these local businesses, who are often very slow during the winter months, I encourage you to do the same. Have some friends over! Make it fun! But know that you do not have to buy a pizza to cast your vote.

So…with that said, here are the contenders for Best Pizza in North County:

12/29/10:   Fresh Italy vs. Faraci Pizza
1/5/11:        Angelo’s vs. Erio’s
1/12/11:      Massa’s vs. KD Gray’s
1/19/11:      Omar’s vs. Cannoli’s
1/26/11:     Cork Wine Bar vs. Meglio’s (Luigi’s)
2/2/11:       Pirrone’s vs. Halls Ferry Inn
2/9/11:       Ponticello’s vs. Fresh Italy/Faraci
2/16/11:     Hill Brewing Co vs. Angelo’s/Erio’s
2/23/11:     Adamo’s vs. Mattingly’s
3/2/11:       Roberto’s vs. Massa’s/KD Gray’s
3/9/11:       Cugino’s vs. Omar’s/Cannoli’s
3/16/11:      BJ’s vs. Saullo’s
3/23/11:      Nick & Elena’s vs. Cork/Meglio’s
3/30/11:     Deaver’s vs. Pirrone’s/Halls Ferry Inn

4/6/11:       Quarter-Finals
4/13/11:     Semi-Finals
4/20/11:     Finals

Voters, you can download a printable PDF of the full bracket here. Restaurants, be sure to grab a copy of this poster, which you can print out and use to promote the Challenge and hopefully drum up more votes! (It’s 4.7MB, so it may take a minute or so to download.)

Any questions, please email me at shannon@nocostl.com. And remember, voting begins on December 29!

12 Ways to EAT NoCo for the Holidays

With Christmas Eve less than a week away, chances are your holiday shopping will soon focus on what really matters: food! If you’re looking to enliven your Christmas menu or maybe give someone a special gourmet gift, here are 12 tasty ways to do just that with fresh, local delights from North County:

1) Kringles @ Helfer’s Pastries, 380 St. Ferdinand St, 63031, (314) 837-6050

If you’ve never had a kringle, or don’t even know what one is, get yourself to Helfer’s Pastries in Florissant ASAP! Inside this decadent Danish pastry you’ll find a heavenly filling of butterscotch, topped with either raspberries or pecans. It’s the perfect hostess treat for a holiday party. According to legend, kringles date to the 1800s and their oval shape is said to represent the eternal love of God. Aw. Unfortunately, not even God can help you score a kringle if you don’t act soon. Helfer’s is really hopping this time of year, and orders for Christmas Eve MUST be placed by Tuesday, 12/22.

2) Linzer cookies @ Cose Dolci, 100 S. Florissant, 63135, (314) 799-2157

It’s just an added bonus that Beth Thompson, owner of this amazing little Ferguson bakery, is one of the nicest people ever. But what really keeps Cose Dolci busy (especially in December) is the fact that its made-from-scratch, all-natural cookies are divine! Beth also makes fantastic cupcakes, sweet breads, scones, muffins and more, but her most popular item is the Linzer Cookie, a delicate, jam-filled indulgence that originated in Austria centuries ago. Buy just a bag or combine several types of baked goods for one of Cose Dolci’s delicious gift sets.

3) Peppermint Stick custard @ The Whistle Stop, 1 Carson Rd, 63135, (314) 521-1600

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the last day of the year to stock up on handmade gourmet frozen custard from The Whistle Stop in Ferguson. After that, you’ll have to wait until February! Take-home quarts are available for every flavor of Whistle Stop custard, but may I suggest three delicious seasonal varieties: Eggnog, Peppermint Stick and Pumpkin Pie. If you’re not too late, you may also be able to nab a holiday pie, a German Chocolate Cake or some super sweet Peppermint Fudge.

4) Exotic meats @ John’s Butcher Shoppe, 2608 Walton Rd, 63114, (314) 423-8066

So…you’ve got someone a little adventurous coming for Christmas dinner? Why not head to John’s Butcher Shoppe in Charlack? This old-timey store has been selling fine meats for 35 years, and it carries way more than just steak. Elk, wild boar, and Potosi, Missouri-raised ostrich and bison are also available for purchase here, in a variety of cuts. You can even get the friendly folks at John’s to wrap up a gift box for you.

5) Donuts @ Old Town Donuts, 510 New Florissant Rd, 63031, (314) 831-0907

Who could resist the fluffy perfection of an Old Town donut, especially as presents are being torn open on Christmas Day? This classic Florissant shop has been churning out some of the best donuts, muffins and cookies in the St. Louis area for 30 years, with workers making fresh batches day and night. Normally open 24 hours, Old Town Donuts will take a rare break for the holidays, closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve and not opening again until 4am on Saturday, December 26. So plan accordingly, or be prepared to put your chocolate long-john fix on hold!

6) Peking duck @ Chopstix Asian Kitchen, Plaza on the Boulevard, 8021 W. Florissant, 63136, (314) 383-6888

If you still laugh every time you think of the Chinese restaurant scene in A Christmas Story, just know that you too can enjoy a little Asian flair in your holiday festivities. Chopstix Asian Kitchen in Jennings (across from Target) specializes in traditional Chinese fare, including the most wonderful Peking duck, which is made fresh every day. The owners of this stylish little place are second-generation restaurateurs, so keep them in mind as you shop for holiday eats.

7) Nostalgic candy @ Remembering When Candies, 3232 Parker Rd, 63033, (314) 831-9436

Perhaps your idea of the perfect candy is a giant pair of wax lips or a handful of Pop Rocks. If so, be sure to sweeten up your holidays with a trip to Remembering When in Florissant. This wee shop sells a dizzying array of nostalgic candies, including brands from 1950s and earlier than you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

8 ) Steak gift sets @ Paul’s Market, 1020 N. Elizabeth, 63135, (314) 524-3652

On the verge of celebrating its 50th year in business, Paul’s Market in Ferguson draws shoppers from all over the St. Louis area, primarily because of its mouth-watering filet mignon. Wrapped in bacon and sold for an incredible price, Paul’s filets are by far its best-selling item. And now through December 22, you can get ten four-ouncers – wrapped in a gift box – for just $29.95! Talk about a steak lover’s dream come true!

9) Chestnuts @ J. Goeke Produce, 449 rue St. Ferdinand, Florissant MO 63031; (314) 831-3140

I don’t know about you, but my early Christmas memories often involve nuts. As a kid, it was my duty (and my delight) to sit and crack my grandpa’s big bag of walnuts, Brazil nuts, and other shelled snacks. But what I never did was the one nut-related activity you’re supposed to do at Christmas – roast chestnuts over an open fire. Well, now I’ve got the fire. And thanks to Goeke’s in Florissant, I also have the fresh chestnuts. Let the roasting begin!

10) Gluten-free cookies @ Free Range Cookies, 425 S. Florissant, 63135, (314) 882-0163

It must really stink to have Celiac Disease during the holidays, not being able to tolerate wheat products. That’s probably why I keep seeing a steady stream of overjoyed kids walking out of Free Range Cookies in Ferguson. This small, sweet-smelling shop offers a full range of gluten-free baked goods, including breads,  pizza crusts and of course delicious cookies. My vegan friends rave about Free Range’s vegan scones, and I know the bakery is also popular with the dairy-free crowd. If you’re serving a special needs eater this Christmas, you just might be able to satisfy them here.

11) Sheet cakes @ Knodel’s Bakery, 6621 W. Florissant, 63136, (314) 385-2000

Since 1901, Knodel’s Bakery in Jennings has been whipping up some of the most scrumptious cakes in St. Louis. Unique photo cakes have become its recent specialty, allowing you to literally put your face in the frosting, but this old-fashioned bakery also offers classic sheet cakes, perfect for holiday entertaining. Order ASAP if you need something in time for Christmas – Knodel’s usually requires 5 days notice.

12) Conchas @ Las Palmas Mexican Bakery, 4018 Woodson Rd, 63134, (314) 954-6862

You’ll find a delicious world of south-of-the-border baked goods at this petite Mexican bakery in Woodson Terrace. Milk cakes, cookies, fruit pastries, and pan dulce sweet breads are sure to entice you, but may I recommend the conchas. They’re basically big buns with a sweet, colorful topping, and I imagine they’d be quite delightful when paired with a cup of coffee on Christmas Day. Las Palmas Mexican Bakery is also a great place to buy Rosca de Reyes, a sweet roll with a baby Jesus figurine hidden inside, normally served on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6th.

Happy holidays and happy eating! Hope you can shop NoCo for at least a portion of your seasonal needs.