2 new St. Louis restaurants to try this month

At Idol Wolf, the gorgeous new restaurant inside the new 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis, the tapas, or small, plated dishes, shine. Smoky grilled broccolini with a caper-anchovy relish was served on top of whipped ricotta and was a savory and complete dish. The deceptively simple pan con tomate, served on grilled Union Loafers toast and topped with crushed tomato with notes of garlic and vinegar, highlights the use of beautiful ingredients. The option to add toppings like manchego, boquerones (anchovies) or jamon is a nice touch, allowing diners to customize the dish to their taste. Dessert didn't disappoint either; the churros are an obvious choice, but the tarta de Santiago, a delicately flavored almond cake served with a coffee ice cream, was the surprise clear winner. On the beverage side, Spanish wines, vermouths and sherries support the Spanish theme as well as. Cocktails like the coconut clarified daiquiri served with a basil-lime ice cube and the chorizo margarita with chorizo-washed mezcal proved to be creative twists on classic drinks.

At Good Press, the hotel’s breakfast and lunch cafe, coffee, tea and juices are all sourced locally from Northwest Coffee Roasting Co., Big Heart Tea Co., and St. Louis Juice Press. Pastries by La Bonne Bouchée and Companion Bakery are also available. The marinated chickpeas bathed in a red wine vinaigrette and five-herb blend and the spicy marinated cucumber salad with smashed cucumbers tossed with green onion and sesame seeds both feature sharp, tangy flavors in generous portions that make for good value lunch options.

1528 Locust St., St. Louis, 314.325.0360, idolwolfstl.com; goodpresscafe.com