Dining St. Louis
Restaurant News
August, 2009
St. Louis Restaurant Guide to fine dining establishments with news about restaurant openings and special events. Restaurants are listed by area for your convenience.
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Dining St. Louis: Special Spotlight
Bissell Mansion Presents 'Addams Family Affair'
August Through October 2009
You are invited to An Addams Family Affair to be held at the Bissell Mansion. Join Morticia and Gomez in their romantic escapades surrounded by murder and mayhem.
They have the fun task of finding the killer of their normal neighbor, Norman who was found skewered to his barbecue pit next door.
Morticia has invited a host of famous murderers to help them find Norman's killer. Help the Addams family clan along with Freddy, Jason, Norman Baits, Lizzy Borden and others as they sift through the evidence to find Norman's killer. It's just another typical family affair.
This haunting show is served with a 4-course meal to DIE for! Make your reservations now; It would be a CRIME to miss out on this much FUN! Call the Bissell Mansion at 314-533-9830 or 1-800-690-9838.
Diners Seek 'Greener' Restaurants, Greater Value, Healthier Foods and Local Ingredients
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), August 7, 2009 - AAA has updated its Restaurant Approval Requirements & Diamond Rating Guidelines, the blueprint for evaluating and rating more than 27,000 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The guidelines are revised as needed to reflect changing industry trends and member expectations, with the last update occurring in 2003.
As an example of change that impacts the guidelines, AAA's Director of Tourism Information Development Michael Petrone cites increased consumer awareness of food content. "Many of today's restaurant customers seek healthier options and are more knowledgeable than ever before about the food they eat," said Petrone. "As a result, restaurants are featuring more fresh-made options, smaller portions, healthier kid's meals and local, sustainable ingredients.
"The updated guidelines reinforce AAA's longstanding pledge to provide members with reliable travel information through on-site inspections and accurate ratings for the restaurants we approve," said Petrone. The new guidelines, effective immediately, are accessible to establishments at AAA.biz/Diamonds. The update includes input from AAA's professional inspectors, key representatives from the hospitality industry and member comments. Broader language is incorporated to embrace the increasing creativity of chefs and owners.
AAA inspectors dine at more than 10,000 restaurants a year, which enables them to recognize and validate trends as they occur.
Ten 2009 restaurant trends identified by AAA inspectors:
1. Innovation: greater creativity and differentiation leading to more
eclectic decor, menu items, styles of service and pricing policies.
2. Healthier options: organic ingredients, hormone-free meats and smaller
portions including bite-sized desserts.
3. "Greener" restaurants: more establishments employing eco-friendly
practices such as recyclable or compostable containers, energy
efficient appliances and eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
4. Attention to value and convenience: options such as fresh prepackaged
to-go items and one-price meals.
5. Regional ethnicity: increased focus on cuisines from smaller, regional
areas such as southern Mexico or Piedmont, Italy.
6. Fewer general cuisines: fare identified by specific country of origin
such as Korea or Vietnam rather than a broader region such as Asia.
7. Increased use of local ingredients: menus highlighting fresh,
indigenous ingredients.
8. Multiple serving sizes: options such as small plates, prix-fixe dining
(complete meal with several courses), shareable dishes, family-style
platters and bar menus.
9. Upgraded/expanded children's menus: child versions of signature items
and/or healthier options for kids.
10. Diverse beverage menus: selections such as micro-distilled liquor,
culinary cocktails and organic wine, specialty iced tea, organic
coffee and flavored/enhanced water.
AAA's Diamond Rating System is the only ratings system that covers all of North America and uses professional inspectors to conduct on-site evaluations using published criteria available to all establishments. With some 32,000 Approved lodgings and more than 27,000 Approved restaurants, AAA rates more properties than any other rating system.
The assignment of a AAA rating of One to Five Diamonds marks the completion of a successful annual evaluation. The first step is to become AAA Approved by meeting AAA's rigorous core requirements. Consumers can access information about AAA Diamond Ratings at AAA.com/Diamonds.
Archived St. Louis Fine Restaurant News:
 Urban Eats Café to Support Development of New Renewable Energy Sources
U.S. Military Veteran Opens Jennings Store Under Little Caesars Veterans Program
Terrace View at City Garden to Create New Urban Dining Experience
Legendary Porter's Steakhouse in Collinsville Re-Opens with New Look and Dining Experience
Chef Trosch Joins Lumière Place from the World-Renowned Fontainebleau Resort
National Restaurant Association Calls on 111th Congress to Quickly Enact Food Safety Reforms
Restaurant Operators More Pessimistic About Sales Growth in Coming Months
Healthy Kids' Meals, Local Produce, Mini Desserts Among Hottest Menu Trends for 2009
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Bissell Mansion Restaurant
and Dinner Theatre
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