Food & Drink

Shelly La Fata

Pasta La Fata Makes A New Home

Photos by L.G. Patterson It’s been nearly six years since Shelly La Fata held a pop-up event at Cafe Berlin, selling giant, hand-made toasted ravioli and marking the official start of Pasta La Fata. And after several phases, from pop-up to community kitchen, the business is making a new home in a permanent location. Pasta […]

The Bully Fruit Gang

The Surprising Taste of The B.F.G.

Photos by L.G. Patterson While riding in an Uber on my way to work, I began to think about how cumin and bell pepper marry together in food so well, and how that may work in a cocktail. My first attempt didn’t really pan out — the use of mezcal mixed with cumin seed resulted in […]

Radishes

Growth Spurt: How to Pick the Best Early Season Produce

Photos by L.G. Patterson One of the best things about late spring/ early summer is the abundance of fresh seasonal produce. But picking — no pun intended — the top of the crop requires some savvy. We asked several local resources for tips on how to select the best early season bounty or successfully cultivate […]

Lemon chess bread pudding

Lemon Chess Bread Pudding Signals Change

Photos by L.G. Patterson I’m going to admit something to you. I’m not a huge fan of change. I buy the same kind of shoes all the time, and I’m known to be very brand loyal in a grocery store. My ice cream order is pretty much set in stone. An oaky chardonnay and I’m […]

Miso Glazed Salmon Provides Perfect Segue Into Seafood

Getting people to eat salmon in the Midwest can be hard. I know, I grew up in the Midwest. As a kid, my diet mostly consisted of Midwestern food, until I was about 5 or 6 and we went to California to visit a relative. My parents told us that they didn’t have hamburgers or […]

Food from The Syrian Kitchen

New Syrian Eatery Debuts

Photos by L.G. Patterson When Ahmad Alkadah came to Columbia in 2016, he came with a dream: A better life for his family certainly, including his wife, children and mother. But he also dreamt of opening an authentic Syrian restaurant, serving the kind of food he grew up with and missed. That part of his […]

The Unique and Rich Experience of Hamilton’s Envy

Photos by L.G. Patterson A love story dedicated to the bitter and strong flavors of Jamaican pimento dram, this allspice and pepper-forward drink can be best enjoyed year-round, as the balanced and intricate flavors make it perfect for any occasion.  A moderate citrus tang with smoked Demerara syrup combine to satisfy your palette, while the romantic […]

Arepas Make the Perfect Side or Main Dish

With a dish that is pretty much as simple as pre-cooked cornmeal and water, it is amazing how arepas are so much more than a delicious sum of their parts. This hybrid of bread and tortillas from Colombia/Venezuela is a delicious side to any meal, or you can stuff it after cooking and make it […]

Chris McDonnell and Tyler Spurgeon

New Owner Takes the Reins at Chris McD’s

Photos by L.G. Patterson Changes are underway at Columbia mainstay Chris McD’s — not the least of which is new ownership. After 30 plus years, founder Chris McDonnell felt ready to pass the torch, which occurred this past December when he sold to Tyler Spurgeon.  Spurgeon’s partners in the venture are Tina and Dr. Mike […]

Feed the Whole Family with This Easy Egg Bake

It probably won’t come as a surprise to find that I generally cook for all of my family’s holidays and gatherings. I absolutely love it and work hard to make sure everyone has something they crave on the table.  But still.  You cooks out there are shaking your heads because you know.  It’s a lot […]

Spring Rolls Combine Colors, Flavors of Season

When I think of spring dishes, I think of bright beautiful colors and flavors. One of my favorite spring meals to make for my family, friends and Nourish Café customers is spring rolls. I think of spring rolls as mini salad burritos, and I tell everyone that! They are so versatile too, for those picky […]

Date Night To Go

Date Night To Go: Enjoy Some of CoMo’s Best at Home

Photos by L.G. Patterson Every once in a while, it’s nice to get all dressed up and go out on the town. But that’s not always the best route for a date night. Sometimes it’s hard to find a babysitter. Maybe public health concerns have got you wanting to stay home. Or you simply don’t […]

Seasonal Starter

  Looking to impress guests this holiday season? This cheery cheese ball's the perfect way.  Family and friends will pine for it afterward, for sure!

Warm and Smoky

Photos by L.G. Patterson The Old Weinsburg is a rich, stirred boozy cocktail with lots of complex sweet, spicy layers and just a hint of smokiness. It’s perfect for sipping on a chilly fall/winter evening. This drink is a fun variation on one of the most popular cocktails at Cherry Street Cellar: The Old Fashioned. […]

A Family Favorite

Spaghetti and meatballs are synonymous with kids being happy about what’s for dinner. “Mom, can I go over to Johnny’s house for dinner tonight? They’re having spaghetti and meatballs!” Why? Because they are delicious. Maybe Johnny had a Nonna that passed down the recipe or maybe a mother or father that tinkered with it for […]

It’s A Go(-Go)!

Photos by L.G. Patterson Opening a vegan food truck wasn’t exactly Gina Overshiner’s dream. Initially, she had a far less grand goal: She planned to peddle — or rather pedal — her fare from a vegan food bike. In fall 2018, she started talking to her friend Leigh Lockhart, owner of Main Squeeze, about starting […]

Chefs Off-Shift

You’d think the last thing chefs want to think about once they’re off their kitchen clocks is food. And you’d be partly right: Turns out the local toques featured in our Foodie Four each have a different culinary creation or gastronomic go-to that they like to whip up once they’re home post-shift. We asked each […]

Coley’s to close

Coley’s American Bistro, 15 S. 6th St., has announced plans to permanently close after Saturday, Nov. 13. In a Facebook post Wednesday night, owners Brian and Kerri Coley said it was “a bittersweet decision but it is the right one for us.” “Throughout the pandemic, we have been strongly supported by our community,” the post […]

Bud's BBQ

Autumnal Buds

With roots in Texas and livestock, barbecue is in Jason Paetzold’s blood. After working in the food scene in Kansas City for over 10 years, Paetzold decided to plant Bud’s BBQ in the heart of Missouri this September. This craft BBQ joint takes classic American comfort foods and adds a modern, innovative twist. Born and […]

Seasonal Soups

In my family you either love or you tolerate soup season. My chicken noodle soup is my 5-year-old daughter’s favorite meal year-round, but my husband cannot stand too many days in a row that we have soup for dinner. I love that my three daughters enjoy soups because they are one of the easiest ways […]