2 new St. Louis restaurants to try this September

1. Utah Station
1956 Utah St., St. Louis, 314.588.8099, Facebook: Utah Station

A long-neglected service station in Benton Park has new life as a vegan hotspot. Utah Station executive chef Chris Bertke spent years developing his own plant-based meat substitute that takes center stage in dishes like toasted ravioli, gyros and fast food-inspired favorites the Big Mak and the Crack Tacos (think Jack in the Box tacos sans animal products). 

Don’t sleep on the Utah smash burger (double or single plant-based patties with a variety of vegan cheese options) or the pizzas with vegan, vegetarian or meat toppings and cheese options. If you’re just too carnivorous for that menu, fear not: Utah Station also offers a few meaty entrees like a pulled pork sandwich and a grass-fed beef burger that receive just as much attention as their plant-based counterparts.

2. Turmeric
6679 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314.899.9995, turmericstl.com

Housed in the former Público space, Turmeric Pan-Indian Restaurant + Bar takes a more modern approach than most Indian restaurants. The restaurant offers a variety of dosas, a popular south Indian dish made up of thin, pan-seared rice crepes typically stuffed with a spiced potato mixture, including the unique Truffle Masala Dosa, made with truffle oil. 

The Bombay Sliders contained a potato patty instead of meat, served with a tamarind sauce and yogurt to add sweetness and acidity. The spiced Marina Shrimp, cooked in a red pepper sauce with black mustard seeds, were a standout hitting all the sour, sweet, hot and salty flavor points. 

Order the lunch special to try a little of everything: one vegetarian appetizer, two vegetarian entrees, lentils, pulao rice, naan, pappad and desserts all for $11. It’s a steal, and the buffet comes to you – servers will refill certain dishes until you’re completely stuffed.

Catherine Klene is managing editor, digital and Meera Nagarajan is art director at Sauce Magazine.