STL Mag A-List Party

Christine and I were invited to attend the St. Louis Magazine A-List party, which was a celebration for all the 2014 A-List winners in St. Louis. I am part of the crew for STL Up Late, St. Louis’ own late night show which won an A-List award (also a former performer for the Improv Shop, another A-List winner).

The party was packed with all sorts of interesting people and had live music, but the main reason to come was the food. All the A-List winners were there and they did not disappoint.

Of course, Strange Donuts was there and they brought their “A-Game” with their Maple Bacon Done and some of their other favorites. This thing was perfectly sweet and savory. Loved it.

Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria had these AMAZING crostinis with burrata. Loved these. I would have eaten more except I needed to try everything at the party.

Russo’s Catering didn’t just have one dish but brought several, plus shots of Sgroppino! Their Gnudi Nudy, a risotto pasta ball dish with relish, was a definite favorite of ours.

These sliders were amazing. Incredibly tender and juicy and full of amazing flavors.

Juniper brought these Biscuits with Country Ham & Jam. This was another dish I would have eaten more of but I needed to save room. Perfectly textured and again, a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with wonderful buttermilk biscuits to boot.

Gringo surprised me with their tacos. I had eaten there a long time ago and was not very impressed, but I had heard they went through a reformation of sorts and are really making some awesome stuff. Their tacos and their spicy watermelon gazpacho are evidence enough I need to pay them a revisit and bring my camera.

I actually had never heard much about Cucina Pazzo, but I really enjoyed their Meatballs Al Forno. A great mix of hearty flavors and these tender, juicy meatballs. I will have to check them out as well.

This dish was very elegant, simple, but packed some serious flavor. Just like so many other dishes prior to this one, I could have eaten more of these.

My absolute favorite of the night was Vernon’s BBQ and Catering and their pulled pork. It was simply the best pulled pork I had ever had. So good.

I didn’t try any of the other BBQ they had as I needed to save some room for the other A-Listers, but I am sure it was incredible as well.

Best dessert goes to The Cup with those Double Chocolate Cupcakes of theirs. I was in heaven. So moist, so flavorful, so chocolately, but not too sweet. Just perfect.

We’ve never been to Home Wine Kitchen but we are going to go there as soon as possible. I’ve heard incredible things about it and these Shrimp & Grits are the proof. Amazing flavors and textures and the shrimp were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Wonderful.

Jax Cafe is another place I’ve never heard anything about, but I loved these dumplings. Spicy, and savory and melt in your mouth tender. So good.

I loved the salami from Salume Beddu. I wish they had something else served with it but even by itself the meat is wonderful.

It’s not like any Bruschetta di Pommodoro I’ve ever had before (tell me if it’s not, I might have read the wrong sign), but this was another of my absolute favorites of the evening. So amazingly simple but so delicious.

Now comes the embarrassing part. I totally do not know who made these as I forgot to take notes for this one; however, it was just incredible. Terribly sorry to whomever worked so hard to bring this delicious treat to the A-List party, but I dropped the ball and didn’t take down the info. If someone could please let me know what dish this was and who made it I would be endlessly greatful.