VIDA MEXICAN KITCHEN y CANTINA

    I was recently invited to attend a tasting at Vida and a chance to meet operating partner Drew Graefe.  It was a Happy Hour tasting that included any drink on the menu and a selection of appetizers and any entree for me and a guest.   They are located on the corner of Clayton and Brentwood.
  Vida is not your typical Mexican Restaurant, it is unique Mexican fare and the handcrafted cocktails that set it apart.
Everything we tried was tasty, fresh and presented in a unique, upscale way.

Vida's Cantina is the perfect spot to have some great margaritas, including their signature "Skinny Margarita" with friends and not just have your typical chips and salsa.   The vibe here is upscale and you will love the specially prepared dishes that you won't find anywhere else.

Millionaire Margarita:  Handmade margarita with Corzo Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, Agave Nectar, fresh-squeezed lime juice. $15

Skinny Margarita: Jimador Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, fresh-squeezed lime juice, zero calorie sweetener. $10

First half of plate is the Carne Asada Nacho's : Individual nachos each with marinated carne asada, refried black beans, fresh pico de gallo and a blend of cheese.
Second half of plate is the Lump Crab Nachos:  Jumbo lump crab, black  bean puree, avacado salsa and a blend of cheese.

Handcrafted Guacamole:
Poblano, Regular and Mango

Ceviche Cocktail: Shrimp, crab, jicama, cucumber, avocado, and cilantro in a spicy tomato salsa with chips. $8.99

Tortilla Pie: Two fresh flour tortillas with roasted chicken, goat cheese, wild mushrooms and spinach topped with blend of cheese and creamy poblano tomatillo sauce. $11.99
Served with ripe plantain and black bean smash!  

Yummy inside of the Tortilla Pie

Shredded Beef and Queso:  Chipotle-braised short rib and a blend of cheeses with chipotle queso, guacamole and pico de gallo. $11.99
Served with red chile rice and black beans.

Churro's with chocolate sauce and Tres Leche Cake with a hint of banana!

Chris our waiter!

Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina

1137 St. Louis Galleria

314-863-1150

www.VidaStLouis.com

SUB ZERO VODKA BAR

Sub Zero was started by the charming Gamlin brothers, Derek and Lucas in 2004 in the Central West End area of St. Louis.  They can both be seen mingling and taking care of business on any given busy day or night.   Sub Zero is a lively, fun atmosphere with the largest vodka selection in the world!   They not only specialize in vodka, but also boast late night dining, burgers, and sushi.
   The 28 foot full service bar is coated in real ice!  A tower displays over 400 varieties of vodka from all over the world.  The martini list is extensive, and they not only offer Bloody Mary's, but 5 different flavors of Bloody Mary's!
  The drinks were over the top.  We loved the pitchers of Watermelon Basil and the Anti Oxidents.  But the cold Salted Carmel Vodka was our favorite.  Then we ended the night with a selection of desserts and Russian Coffee.
  My stand out favorite in the food was the Lynda Roll and the Kobe Hawaiian Burger!

Lynda Roll $22.25  Lobster, avocado, and massago rolled inside out, topped with tuna.

Loaded Baked Potato Wedges with Bacon $8.95

Tempura Veggies $7.95 

Pitcher of Anti Oxident

Pu--y Galore

Watermelon Basil

Dirty Martini

Edamame

Hawaiian Kobe $20.95  Nebraska raised Imperial Wagyu Beef, Canadian Bacon, swiss, pineapple, teriyaki sauce.

American Kobe Beef Slliders  $15.95  Nebraska raised Wagyu Beef, crispy onions, house-made jalapeno cheese sauce.

Drive In Double Cheese  $11.95  Two classic griddle style Midwest raised black angus beef patties, American cheese , lettuce, pickle.

Sub Zero Bacon Borsin  $12.95 Midwest raised black Angus beef, applewood smoked bacon, borsin cheese.

Jamaican Jerk $12.95  Jamaican jerk-seasoned Midwest raised black angus beef, mango salsa.

BBQ Bison $15.95  Local farm
bison, BBQ sauce, cole slaw, cheddar

St. Louis Backyard $14.95  Ground Pork Steak, Maull's BBQ sauce, sauteed white onions, pickles.

28 foot Ice Bar

Vodka Selections

Infused Vodka's!!

Banana Vodka Bread Pudding $8.00

House made Gooey Butter Cake $8.00

Uncle Walts Carrot Cake $8.00

Layered Chocolate Cake $8.00

Ice Cream Sandwich

Outside dining

Owner Derek Gamlin!  Such a nice man!



Sub Zero Vodka Bar
308 North Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-1200

www.subzerovodkabar.com

Magnolia's On Prospect - Peoria,IL

    Magnolia's On Prospect in Peoria, IL is not only a fine dining destination, it is also a Steak House, a Bourbon Bar and a culinary experience that is not to be missed.   Chef Dustin Allen shows his Midwest upbringing through his food with big, bold flavors and regular to large sized portions.   There is also a small sized plates, lunch and salad entrees available.

Bacon Wrapped Scallop Appetizer $11
Jumbo Sea Scallops wrapped in Applewood Bacon and broiled , then drizzled with Creole Aioli

Dozen Raw Oysters $14

House Dried Tomato Flatbread $9 House dried Roma tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Caramelized Shallots, Asiago cheese, garlic olive oil, on grilled flatbread.

Salads

Magnolia's Wedge Salad $5

House Salad with Artisan Greens $5

Fresh Bread

Garlic Sauteed Shrimp with Orzo Spinach Pilaf $24
Jumbo Gulf Shrimp sauteed in Garlic butter, lemon, red pepper and paprika. Served with Orzo, spinach and asiago pilaf.

Filet au Poivre
Tender beef filet studded with cracked peppercorns and seared at extremely hot temperatures to produce a nice crust. Topped with wild mushroom and bourbon cream sauce atop grilled asparagus.

Filet au Poivre with Wild Mushroom and Bourbon Cream sauce  $36

16oz NY Strip Steak Special with sauteed Spinach $34
Char grilled and full of flavor!

Beef Tenderloin Tips in Bourbon Cream Sauce $20.50  6oz pan seared beef tips, sauteed bell peppers, shallots, garlic fresh cracked peppercorns.  Served over fettuccine.

Bourbon Peach Glazed Pork Tenderloin $23.50   Lean and flavorful pork tenderloin grilled and glazed with bourbon peach sauce.  Served with long grain rice and grilled asparagus.

Pork Tenderloin

Grilled Mahi with Cucumber Salad and Soy Mustard Vinaigrette $24  Light dish that is full of flavor and color.  Grilled Mahi and paired with a simple salad of julienned carrots, red chilies, and cucumbers dressed with a soy-mustard vinaigrette.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits $18.50  Chef's Favorite.  Fresh andoullie sausage, tomatoes, cayenne, red peppers, shallots, and sauteed shrimp.  Served on a bed of cheddar creamy grits and a house salad.

Grilled Sea Scallops with Roasted Corn and Avocado Relish  $26  Jumbo sea scallops,  grilled then served on top fresh roasted corn and avocado relish.  Served atop crispy tortillas then drizzled with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.

Creole Grilled Snapper $25
Fresh grilled red snapper seasoned with Creole seasoning. Served with rice and topped with pico de gallo.

Chef Dustin Allen

The Star of Magnolia's

Magnolia's on Prospect

5901 N. Prospect

Peoria, IL 61614

309-683-8747

www.magnoliaonprospect.com