West Newsmagazine 2-21-18

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Parkside Grille: Where comfort food goes gourmet
By SUZANNE CORBETT
The intersection of Clayton and Strecker
roads is gaining a reputation as one of
West County’s hottest culinary crossroads.
Lauded by foodies and welcomed as a
neighborhood haunt where creative food,
cold drinks and live music encourage
guests to eat, drink and enjoy, Parkside
Grille is a dining destination.
“Some people call us the secret on
Strecker Road,” said Parkside Grille
owner Jean Ann Mantia, a professionally
trained chef who has cooked throughout
the U.S. and Europe.
But the secret is out.
“Our mantra is classic comfort food,”
Mantia said, as in chef-made comfort food
created with top quality ingredients, many
of which are locally sourced. During the
summer, fruits and vegetables are sourced
from Zick’s Nursery, right across the street.
You can’t get more local than that.
Collaborating on the menu is Chef
Mark Wentz, whose resume includes
stints in some of St. Louis’ finest eateries,
Parkside Grille
505 Strecker Road • Wildwood • theparksidegrille.com • (636) 422-8483
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday; noon-8 p.m., Sunday
Lent
Specials
$ 3
OFF
Any Purchase of $15 or more
Valid only after 4 p.m.
One coupon per person.
Not valid with other offers.
Expires 3/31/18
Kitchen Hours:
Sunday & Monday 8am to 3pm
Tues - Thurs 8am to 9pm • Fri & Sat 8am to 9:30pm
Extended Pub Hours Daily
Happy Hour Tuesday thru Friday 2-6
Serving Breakfast ALL DAY EVERY DAY
17209 New College Ave.
Wildwood 63040
636-273-9317
See Website for Full Menu
www.LettyLousCafe.com
815 Meramec
Station Road
(1 block South of Old Hwy. 141 & Big Bend)
(636) 225-8737
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30 am-10 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm
including Tony’s, Café du France and Bellerive
Country Club.
“Chef Mark and I collaborate on everything,”
Mantia said. “We always get our
heads together on our daily specials board.”
The specials board features a selection
of comfort classics and seasonal delights
designed to satisfy both gourmet and
gourmand. Savvy customers call ahead to
check the daily features.
“Last night, we had Chicken Pot Pies,
which sold out in an hour,” Mantia said
on the day of the interview.
Pot pies, considered the ultimate comfort
food, are one of Wentz’s specialties.
Each pot pie is made with seasoning
twists that echo those given to other comfort
classics such as the Beer Battered
Walleye, which is made with craft beers.
“Mixing a little dark beer in the batter
gives it a flavor punch,” Wentz said.
Counted among Parkside’s standout
plates is the Loaded Lobster Club, a
lobster lover’s treat that stacks sweet
aioli-sauced Maine lobster with crispy
peppered bacon, avocado, tomato and lettuce
on a toasted croissant bun.
Parkside Grille also offers a
nicely balanced menu filled with
custom grilled burgers, wraps and
salads in addition to shareable
starters and flatbreads. And save
room for dessert.
“Desserts are one of our passions,”
Wentz said. “We make all
of them from scratch and in-house.”
The dessert list varies with one
exception – Key Lime Pie. Parkside’s
signature dessert is on the
menu most days. Other favorites
include Amaretto Cherry Crumb
Cake, Chocolate Coconut Cream Cake
and a skillet cookie that is served warm
and topped with ice cream.
The Parkside Grille experience is not
complete without music. Mantia’s husband,
Rocky, a professional musician,
who has opened shows for music legend
Jimmy Buffet, Styx and REO Speedwagon,
is featured.
“We have live music every Wednesday
through Saturday night and on Sunday
afternoon,” Mantia
said. Live music also
is featured during Parkside
Grille’s monthly
themed dinners – five
Good Friends.
Great Food.
Cold drinks.
Live Music Fri. & sat. Nights
DaiLy LuNch & DiNNer speciaLs
happy hour MoN - Fri, 3 - 6
288 LaMp & LaNterN viLLage - upper LeveL
636-256-7201
MARCH FLAVORS OF THE DAY!
SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT
3
Butterfinger
4
5 6 7 8
9 Choc. 10
Chocolate Chip Pistachio Nut Oreo Raspberry Lite Banana Cream Salted Caramel Choc. Chip
11
Brownie
12 13
Créme
14 15
Cappuccino Toffee
16 17
Reeses
Batter
Choc. Malt Brulee
Almond Crunch
Mint Chip
18
Strawberry
19
Butter
20
Red
21 22
23
Peanut Butter
24
Cookie Dough Lite
Pecan Lite Velvet Cake Snickers Oreo *NEW* Brownie Bite
25
Black
26 27
28
Choc.
Salted
29 30
Choc.
31
Heath Bar Cherry
Mint Oreo Pistachio Nut Caramel Pecan White Cake Cookie Dough
WELCOME BACK!
February 21, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I 35
Parkside Grille owner Jean Ann Mantia with Chef Mark Wentz
courses of perfection paired with Parkside’s
curated wine list.
“It is so rare to find a place like this in
West County,” said Parkside Grille customer
Mike Smiley. “I tell people it’s
like being in Soulard or somewhere on
The Hill. The food is great and the music
reminds me of the bands that used to play
back in the days in Soulard.”
Such warm reviews are music to Mantia’s
ears.
“I want you to feel comfortable, similar
to the old, local pub or corner restaurant of
the past,” Mantia said. “A neighborhood
restaurant where friends can enjoy food,
relax together and listen to the music.”
DAILY SPECIALS
FEATURING CLASSIC COMFORT FOODS
SEAFOOD SPECIALS
EVERY FRIDAY
THROUGH LENT
20% OFF LUNCH
purchase of $15 or more
Offer good from 11 am- 2 pm
Lunch only . Expires 3/15/18
Closed Mondays | 11a-9p Tues-Thurs
11a-12a Fri/Sat | 11a-8p Sunday
www.theparksidegrille.com
505 Strecker Road | 636.422.8483
at the corner of Clayton & Strecker
1 mile west of Clarkson