Local Love: Gramophone

Nestled in a little eclectic area of St. Louis called the Grove is a place called The Gramophone.  About a year ago, The Gramophone closed its doors as a concert venue, remodeled, and reopened as a tavern and sandwich shop.  They specialize in premium subs and an extensive drink list, but what jumped out at me while scrolling through Yelp food pics was this concoction referred to as the "Bloody Island".

It's not your typical "sit down and be served" style service.  Everything is ordered at the bar.  Rickey and I grabbed a table, debated between a few delicious sounding sandwiches, and made our final decisions.  He went with the Reuben while I decided on the Cold Smoked Salmon.  Still unsure of this whole bloody sandwich thingy, I asked the super friendly bartender about it.  He said, "It's called the 'Bloody Island' and you choose half of any sandwich that you want served on top of a Bloody Mary."  SOLD!  Cold Smoked Salmon Bloody Island it was.  While we waited, I felt like a little kid in a candy shop...or, er...sandwich shop.  The anticipation of this Bloody Island was killing me.  There was a pool table, pinball, old school arcade games, fun stuff.  Also, since it was a Saturday, there was an acoustic set playing which was quite enjoyable for a little weekend day outing.

THEN THE BLOODY ISLAND APPEARED:

Garnishes on point and no idea about a plan of attack.

One hell of a bloody sandwich island paradise, if ya ask me.

Since we're all about supporting local, and St. Louis is filled with macro breweries, micro breweries, basically all sorts of places with thirst quenching beers flowing at all times, I thought this Drink Local wall art using the Arch as the draft was so clever!  Nice supporting local touch!

Although I didn't snap a pic of Rickey's Reuben, he mentioned that it was one of the best sandwiches he's had, washed down with a Civil Life Brown Ale as you can see in the photo. #supportlocal

Throughout the neighborhood of the Grove, coffee shops, hair salons, boutiques, restaurants and bars that draw a huge nightlife crowd, so while you're in the area, stay awhile and adventure around.  You could also go on a mini daytime bar crawl like we did.  

What are some of your favorite local sandwich shops?

National Margarita Day

It seems like there's a national day for everything nowadays but National Margarita Day is a day I'm down to get down with.  Here are 4 of my favorite St. Louis establishments to sip margs at in no particular order...because they're all awesome.

Mission Taco Joint

There are 2 locations in St. Louis.  Delmar and Soulard.  The Delmar, being the first location, is awesome, great service and bartenders, and in a really hip and fun area of St. Louis.  The Soulard location (also awesome with great service and bartenders) is a renovated garage, so nice days, the garage is open so it's more of a patio vibe.  Also, Soulard is where the 2nd biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the country takes place, so you know it's a cool area.

Regardless of which location you go to, you MUST get a fried Baja fish taco.  All you're going to do is salivate at the mouth until your first bite, be seriously depressed after the last bite, and all I have to say is, "I told you so.  You're welcome."  Also, everything is a la carte so you can get a Baja Fish Taco, a Grilled Chicken Taco, A Carne Asada Taco, a Chorizo Taco and make a whole taco flight out of it!  TACO PARTY SAY WHAT!

Image Source:  Yelp User

Oh, and back to the base of this post.  The margarita is required.  The Oaxacan Firing Squad is also amazing, but don't ask me how to pronounce it.  I say it wrong every single time.

Mission Taco Joint Locations

Delmar

6235 Delmar Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63130

Soulard

908 Lafayette Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63104

  

Chava's

Chava's is also located in Soulard.  What I love about Chavas is the Pomegranate margarita.  My dear friend, Marti, and I thought it was so delicious that we decided to share an entire pitcher of it (silly girls).  Let me say it reallyyy hit us when we stood up :)  They also have Mango Margaritas, Orange Cream Margaritas, Blueberry Margaritas, basically any margarita flavor imaginable.

For food at Chava's, they have an appetizer called Jenas, which are jalapeno halves stuffed with Mexican sausage and white cheese.  SO GOOD.  Also, they have a build your own burrito option, which I'm a big fan of.

Photo Source:  Event Seeker

Image Source:  Foodspotting

Chava's Location

925 Geyer Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63104

Pueblo Solis

Huckleberry margarita.  Now I'm still not sure exactly what a huckleberry is (I had to Google it because the only Huckleberry I'm familiar with is Finn), but it's seemingly a type of fruit that looks like a blueberry.  Regardless, it tastes delicious in margarita form.  The Queso Fundido appetizer is where it's at.

Image Source:  Pueblo Solis 

Image Source:  Pueblo Solis

Pueblo Solis Location

5127 Hampton Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63109

Chimichanga's Mexican Restaurant

Now as far as "cheap Mexican eats," this is for sure a gem.  The recently extended margarita menu includes a peach, which was peach perfection, in addition to their long running Bluesky Lime Margarita.  If you're having a bad day, head to Chimichanga's.  The bright colored, cheery, faux palm tree decorated, always crowded patio is a favorite and will instantly boost anyone's mood.  On your birthday, they'll sing to you, place a colorful sombrero on your head, and make you take a tequila shot while they have everyone's attention.  I know because it's happened to me.

Chimichanga's Location

5425 South Grand Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63111

Also, if you're looking for accessories to celebrate this joyous day, start with some festive feetsies:

{Gypsy Warrior - Margarita Socks}

Happy National Margarita Day!  Where are some of your favorite establishments for margaritas and Mexican food?

{whatever wednesday}

{Cool Stuff:   20 Negative Space Photos}

{The breakfast/brunch I would eat every day if I could:  Southwest Diner}

{New Favorite Shopping Website:  ThredUP}

{Etsy Shop Spotlight:  icing101}

{Weekend Things:  The Best $10 or Less Wines for Summer}

{whatever wednesday}

{Donut Life:  Can NOT get over how ah-ma-zing and adorable this donut birthday cake ideas are}

{DIY:  Clay Cake Topper}

{GIMME Glasses:  The perfect summer sipping glasses (or all year around, whatever)}

No idea where the mingo glasses are from but The Skinny Confidential has a Mint Kombucha Vodka cocktail pictured has been added as a summer must try.

{DIY Bucket List:  DIY Hanging Copper Hat Rack}

{Wanderlust:  Tropical Escape #TakeMeThere}

{Wednesday Wisdom:  Quit Slackin' and Make Shit Happen}

Luck of the Irish

With it being St. Patrick's Day Weekend and Tuesday being St. Patrick's Day, I couldn't resist searching for ways to celebrate the luck of the Irish.  Here are some festive green snacks and boozy treats I've come across to make over the course of the weekend.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top o' the Mornin Lucky Charms Pancakes:  Recipe Here

Leprechaun Crunch:  Recipe Here

Tipsy Leprechaun:  Cocktail Recipe Here

Clover Artwork:  Vandy Massey

{whatever wednesday} Independence Day

Independence Day.  A day for cookouts, friends, family, and the big event: FIREWORKS.  Whether you're heading to a party, hosting a party, or just want to do a little something patriotic to celebrate America the beautiful, here's some food, decor ideas and other 4th of July inspiration to get those creative juices flowing.  Do you have any 4th of July traditions?  Have a Fabulous Fourth!

Start with Flag Foods

Create a flag with blueberrys and sliced bananas and strawberries.

 Or opt for white chocolate colored pretzels instead of the bananas.

Another idea that would be cute is to dye a fruit dip blue and place that in a square container instead of the blueberries :)

 {Easy Sugar Cookie Flag}

{Patriotic Taco Salad}

{24 Festive Recipes for Fourth of July from Shape}

{15 Fantastic Works of Hot Dog Perfection}

Say so long to the ketchup and mustard.  Get creative and dress those dogs up with tastier toppings, such as grilled pineapple or mac and cheese.

 

 

{Firecracker Funfetti Cupcakes with Pop Rocks Centers}

Cheers to Lady Liberty!

{4th of July Cocktail Recipes}

{Watermelon Blueberry Mojito}

 

 

{Patriotic Margaritas}

Decorate in Red, White, and Blue

{Vintage Americana Canteen}

 

 

{Coke Crates and Carnations}

 

 

{Vintage Ribbon Flag}

{Red, White, and Blue Windcatcher}

{4th of July Clothespin Wreath}

{DIY American Flag Picnic Blanket}

Fashionable Fourth Outfit Inspo

For more outfit inspo, go here:

Stars, Stripes, and Sparklers: 4th of July Fashion