4 new places to try in August

1. Chicken Out
6197 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314.384.1010, chickenoutchicken.com

The masterminds behind Sugarfire Smoke House and Hi-Pointe Drive-In have created another winner with Chicken Out. The extremely punny menu is full of chicken dishes done right. Go for the Spicy Chicken Out sandwich, which layers a juicy, Nashville-style fillet with flavorful pickles and creamy Crystal hot sauce mayo on a Martin’s potato bun. The Fauxhawk, which you can also get spicy, is a perfect vegetarian option made with the locally produced Hungry Planet plant-based meat alternative. There are also lighter options, like the Asian kale salad with ginger vinaigrette and grilled sesame chicken, which was a refreshing, summery starter. Don’t forget the crinkle fries with chicken salt – how can you not try that? 

2. Perennial on Lockwood
216 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Facebook: Perennial on Lockwood

We can’t think of a stronger power couple than Perennial Artisan Ales and Olive + Oak. Their joint venture, Perennial on Lockwood, just opened for lunch in Webster Groves, and it’s as good as you’d expect. Olive + Oak sous chef Joe Biondo joined forces with Perennial’s Evan Buchholz to create a lunch menu worth going out of your way for. We loved the Claire’s grilled cheese, which came oozing with Fontina and local Prairie Breeze on soft white country bread layered with a savory-sweet onion-thyme jam, and the crispy chicken thigh sandwich: a juicy fried thigh spiced with Sichuan peppercorn and a chili aioli for something way beyond hot sauce and mayo. The bibb wedge was also transcendent, layered with horseradish French dressing, lardons, julienned beets, onion and just-funky-enough gouda bleu. We can’t wait to try the Chicago-style fried bologna paired with our next lunch beer on the patio.

3. Cellar House
5634 Telegraph Road, Oakville, 314.846.5100, cellarhousestl.com

What started in 2015 as a small South County wine bar attached to its sister bottle shop, Bottle Cellars, Cellar House has moved north a mile and expanded into a full-service, upscale restaurant. We are here for it. Start with the delightful Brussels sprouts salad with chunks of crunchy Fuji apple and tender butternut squash, along with dried cranberries, almonds, Parmesan, fennel and a not-too-sweet lemon-maple vinaigrette. We also liked the braised beef short rib, paired with a slightly salty Boursin polenta, crispy red onion, butternut squash, parsnips, asparagus and red wine braising jus. The poutine was a hit: french fries topped with beef short rib gravy and garlic-and-herb cheese curds.

4. Barrio
740 DeMun Ave., Clayton, 314.725.0322, Facebook: Barrio

People who loved Barrio when it opened in 2018 might be confused to see it on a list of new restaurants. The spot quietly reopened on June 19 after almost a year-long hiatus. Though the space is the same, 2020 Barrio offers a short menu of smash burgers, sandwiches, fries, floats and milkshakes instead of 2018 Barrio’s street tacos and margaritas. “I wanted the new Barrio to be viable, and the neighborhood was asking for a burger joint. I built Fitz’s in The Loop and I just decided to go back to my roots,” said owner Alan Richman. Make your choice of a beef, turkey or Impossible burger topped with a list of add-ons – we suggest cheddar and caramelized onions. Crispy, crinkle cut fries and a Fitz’s root beer float made with Clementine’s vanilla ice cream are standby assists for a winning meal. And check back – the brief menu is growing quickly under chef Giovanni Robles.