Here are six new metro-east restaurants for your foodie bucket list
The hardest part of my beat? Reporting on new restaurants and checking out the menus — It makes me hungry.
But that’s OK because I know you appreciate the info. So here’s the latest roundup of recent restaurant openings.
Now we can all be hungry together.
West Belleville welcomes its first Thai eatery
Banana Leaf Thai Restaurant is now open in west Belleville after a soft opening.
Owner Anu Sue offers authentic Asian cuisine made using her mom’s recipes. The menu includes Thai curries, stir-fried noodle dishes and signature dishes featuring chicken, shrimp, salmon and even duck.
If those aren’t enough to fill your belly, go for some dessert too. Banana Leaf has steamed custard buns and tiramisu on offer.
Located at 3030 Frank Scott Parkway West, Suite 11, Banana Leaf is open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4-8 p.m. for dinner.
For more info, call 618-744-7111 or visit bananaleafbelleville.com.
Old Herald’s new restaurant partner opens its doors
The Press House at Old Herald opened last week in Collinsville.
The restaurant’s owner and operator, Jennifer James, has put together an initial menu of fresh and flavorful dishes.
By opening now, James is able to slowly introduce the community to what they have to offer while they accommodate events previously scheduled at the venue.
Over the next couple of months, she and her team will continue to make upgrades to the kitchen equipment as well as to the menu, bringing in new seasonal fare, other menu additions and, eventually brunch.
Entrées on offer consist of hearty servings.
“A lot of our dishes are almost sharing size,” said James, adding that folks can split dishes and add a side to also share.
Each dish listed on the menu is delicious on its own, she said. They can all be customized too, which is great news for folks with allergies or dietary restrictions.
“We’re excited to have another family restaurant” in the area, said James, who is looking forward to providing customers with a good experience and an “attraction other than just good food.”
She also wants folks to enjoy the building’s atmosphere and its history (as a brewery and distillery, as a newspaper), which is what drew her to open a restaurant there.
The Press House at Old Herald is located at 113 E. Clay St. in Collinsville. Hours are currently 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Call 618-855-8027 or visit facebook.com/PressHouseCollinsville for updates, events and other info.
Taste the newest offerings at Casino Queen
Bridgeway, located inside DraftKings at Casino Queen recently announced the addition of new flavors to its Social Hour menu.
Now available from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday are the following:
- Braised beef tacos with cotija cheese, pico de gallo and cilantro in a crispy tortilla;
- Lobster rangoon, a crispy wonton shell filled with creamy lobster and scallions covered in a sweet and sour sauce;
- Panzanella salad with grape tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, pesto, basil and croutons;
- BBQ chicken flatbread with barbecue sauce, grilled chicken, roasted peppers, mozzarella and red onion.
Check out the specialty cocktails too:
- Bridgeway Island Tea made with rum, gin, vodka, tequila, Triple Sec, sweet and sour with a splash of Pepsi;
- Queen Beach, mix of vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple and cranberry juice;
- Luck-o-Rita, a Tequila cocktail with triple sec, sweet and sour and lime;
- Royal Flush, made with Crown Royal peach and cranberry juice;
- Money Machine, made with Midori, Malibu rum and pineapple juice;
- Glasses of house cabernet or chardonnay.
Bridgeway is open 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is located inside DraftKings at Casino Queen, 200 Front St., East St. Louis. View the full menu or make reservations online at draftkingsatcasinoqueen.com/dine.
Other new restaurants for your food bucket list
I Don’t Know Restaurant opened in mid-June in Belleville. Aside from the clever name, this eatery features varied fare ranging from burgers and baked potatoes to shawarma and falafel. It’s a great choice for the indecisive as well as the foodies who like a little bit of everything.
Located at 4004 W. Main St. in Belleville, I Don’t Know is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 2:15-10 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Visit the Facebook page or call 618-641-9181 for additional info.
A new food stand, 19 Kilo, is open in O’Fallon and offers “Artisan bar food” that includes burgers, wings, kabobs, wraps, apps and sides.
You can find 19 Kilo inside Sgt. Charles A. Fricke VFW Post 805 at 223 W. First St. in O’Fallon. Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday-Saturday. Visit facebook.com/19kilofood to learn more.
Wood River welcomed Café LaNae & Bakery at the beginning of August. The café serves breakfast and lunch with a menu that includes breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, savory sandwiches, salads, soups and more. Veggie-friendly options are available.
Café LaNae & Bakery is located at 7 N. Wood River Ave., Wood River. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Learn more by calling 618-216-2268 or visit the Facebook page.
Have you been to any of these new restaurants? What did you think, and more importantly, what did you order? Share the details in an email to jgreen@bnd.com.
