St. Louis Eats...well I might add!
While I was at the USPCA conference I got a chance to sample some local cuisine. We weren't really in St. Louis but in Clayton. The hotel we stayed at is a few blocks from some really cute restuarants all lined up in row so eating there was so easy. The places I wanted to talk about first, were a cab ride away into St. Louis.

During the chef's conference you can take classes that you sign up for in advance, like months and months in advance. I basically forgot what I signed up for, but when I got my schedule, I was totally pleased with myself! I took all cooking demo classes. Some classes were taught by USPCA chefs, and some by local professional restaurant chefs. All the classes that I took, were great. I got some new ideas and my motor has been renewed. Too bad we can't do this every 6 months!

One the classes that I signed up for was a French cooking demo. I was tickled pink because I went to France right after Sept. 11 for ten days and had a ball. I went to the south of France and was enrolled in a four day cooking school there. I had a great time and have spent the last five years since trying to get back there. So this class was just what I needed to make me want to charge more on my credit card so rack up those free miles.

The French cooking demo was taught by Eric Brenner. He is the Executive Chef for two restaurants. The first one is Chez Leon. Eric is the head chef there but goes two doors down to his own restaurant Moxy. Chez Leon is more of a white table cloth French restaurant as where Moxy is billed at a "contemporary bistro". Either way, you will just love both places!

After we watched the cooking demo, we all wanted the phone number to Chez Leon. Sadly it is closed on Monday nights so we got the number to Moxy and made reservations for four there at eight. We bearly got out of the class and I was dailing the number. We could not wait for dinner there after watching and listening to Eric passion for his craft. Please use the links to check out both places. If you are ever in St. Louis you will want to eat at both places.

We did not know that another party of happy personal chef eaters had made their reservations for 6:30 and we ran into them while we were there. Chef Eric was doing a $50 tasting menu with wine for every course. We said we would have the same and did not regret one single morsel.

I took pictures of every course but we ate by candle light. I did not want to use the flash because there were other diners besides us and it would just be rude. So this is as good as it gets for candle light.

First course...Truffle Risotto with Procini, Crimini and Parmesan










Second course...Rainbow Trout and Crab with Citrus Wild Rice, Sauteed Spinach and Dijon/Tarragon Beurre Blanc







Third Course...Seared Duck Breast with Roasted Apple, Rhutabega and Carrot-Pomegranate Reduction with Cinnamon









Fourth Course...Roasted Bistro Steak with Red Onion Jam, and Garlic Whipped Potaotes, Gorgonzola Demi Glaze.








...and last but not least DESSERT!

Black Cocoa Torte with Nutella and Toffee Ice Cream Bombe