果酱视频

We posed the question to some 果酱视频 boosters including Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, businessman Joe Edwards, 果酱视频 Art Museum director Min Jung Kim, and more. Even chef Rob Connoley, who 鈥� after we conducted our interview 鈥� announced that he was closing his famous restaurant Bulrush and leaving 果酱视频 due to right-wing Missouri politics, had a list of places he loved to visit.

So here鈥檚 a look at the bars, restaurants, parks and other places that seven in-the-know 果酱视频ans said would make their day perfect. Plus, a little insight into how these busy folks kick back and relax.

Joe Edwards

Even if you鈥檝e never heard of business impresario Joe Edwards, you鈥檝e probably been to an establishment he owns, which includes seemingly half of the Delmar Loop: Blueberry Hill, the Pageant, Delmar Hall, Magic Mini Golf and more. He also runs the 果酱视频 Walk of Fame and Moonrise Hotel. Edwards鈥� love of 果酱视频 may be why he never turns off. When describing a perfect day, it includes a bit of relaxation, and some work.

Morning

Edwards doesn鈥檛 start his day with a beeping phone or clanging alarm clock.

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 used an alarm clock in five years,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 just try not to schedule early meetings and to wake up naturally. Sleep is an important part of life.鈥�

He usually wakes up between 8 and 9 a.m. and would start the day by reading the newspaper. He prefers a physical copy to scrolling through one online and absolutely must be reclining in his La-Z-Boy while reading. 鈥淚 love that relaxation time. It鈥檚 so marvelous to start the day that way.鈥�

He does go digital eventually in the morning, though. 鈥淚 also really love to play Wordle,鈥� he says.

Edwards also lives within walking distance of all of his businesses on the Loop, and frequently dines at them. He thinks Peacock Diner is a great place to get breakfast. 鈥淣ot to plug my own place, but it is,鈥� he says.

Afternoon

For Edwards, a perfect day has to happen in the summertime because he would ideally spend the afternoon reclining in a pool.

鈥淚 just find it so rejuvenating to spend some time in the sun,鈥� he says. He might spend the time just relaxing or reading a good comic book. 鈥淧eople underestimate the writing in comic books and how intricate the plots can be. A lot of them are really pretty deep and pretty fun.鈥�

Edwards was even featured in an Archie comic book around 1990. Archie and Jughead are visiting 果酱视频 and mistake Edwards鈥� classic car for their own. Edwards has the six-page strip hanging up in Blueberry Hill. 鈥淎rtists that come visit are really knocked out by it, more than any other picture,鈥� Edwards says. 鈥淓ven the photos with four different presidents.鈥�

Edwards likes the restaurant for another reason as well, the housemade soups are 鈥渙ne of the best things we have,鈥� he says, and he frequently eats one for lunch. (He also likes the burger.)

He鈥檇 probably also check in on his latest venture, Magic Mini Golf.

鈥淚 never take a vacation because I am always opening a new business and then I have to be there to see how things are going,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 seldom get out to other places.鈥�

Evening

For dinner, Edwards heads home, but will head out again for a concert.

鈥淚 love live music. It鈥檚 a universal language. Seeing great musicians, or even good ones is nourishing and lifts everyone鈥檚 spirits.鈥�

He loves Nelly, whom he鈥檚 known for years, and wouldn鈥檛 mind seeing the Foo Fighters or Miley Cyrus in concert.

But he鈥檇 really love to go back in time for a concert. 鈥淚 would love to see James Brown and Prince. I saw James Brown 13 times live. He was the greatest showman ever. And Prince, what a treat he was.鈥�

The only hiccup? Edwards doesn鈥檛 love crowds, so he prefers smaller venues.

Post concert, Edwards has breakfast ... again. But this time at home. 鈥淓very night around midnight I cook a small, late night breakfast, maybe an egg or something. And then read a good book,鈥� he says.

Edwards like biographies. 鈥淚 just finished one about Ulysses S. Grant and another about Oppenheimer; they were fascinating,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat caps off a day. It鈥檚 good to read right before you go to sleep. Then you can pick it up again the next day.鈥�

He says it鈥檚 easy for him to have a perfect day here. 鈥淚 love the tempo of 果酱视频, in Singapore or New York City it鈥檚 go-go-go, but here people go when they have to, but there鈥檚 also a casual comfortable feel.鈥�

By Rosalind Early

Tishaura O. Jones

Tishaura Jones made history in 2021 as the first Black woman elected mayor of 果酱视频. Born and raised in the city, she takes every opportunity to boost all that her hometown has to offer.

It鈥檚 fitting that her perfect day includes enjoying several of the city鈥檚 gems.

Morning

The mayor is an early riser, waking up around 6 a.m. most days. She starts her morning with a workout on her Peloton bike for 30 to 45 minutes.

After showering, she鈥檚 heading out for coffee. Her regular drink at Northwest Coffee on Laclede is an Americano 鈥� black 鈥� no sugar or cream. She鈥檚 bound to run into people she knows there and is friends with the owner, Jason Wilson.

Then, she will go back to her house and enjoy the oasis she鈥檚 created in her backyard. She has a few Adirondack chairs and a fire pit.

鈥淚n the morning, the sun is the best,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檒l sit and listen to the birds chirp.鈥�

She might also play her favorite station on Pandora, Gospel Brunch, on her Bluetooth speakers. Later that morning, she鈥檒l take advantage of free time she doesn鈥檛 usually have to go to the grocery store or make a Target run.

鈥淚鈥檒l take my time,鈥� she says. Even though she brings a list, she鈥檒l add some impulse purchases to her cart. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 my happy place,鈥� she says. At the Target on Hampton, she is bound to run into a few constituents who might stop her to ask a few questions.

Afternoon

Around noon, she would love to have the lobster enchiladas at Yellowbelly on Lindell Boulevard, along with an old-fashioned. An introvert, she would love to spend the time 鈥渂lissfully by myself.鈥� She might be listening to a book on Audible. She recently listened to Michelle Obama鈥檚 latest work, 鈥淭he Light We Carry.鈥�

After lunch, she might go back home and take a nap. Later in the afternoon, she鈥檒l check out the latest exhibit at the art museum or history museum.

Evening

The mayor is a season ticket holder at the Muny, so her perfect day would definitely involve seeing a show. She and one of her friends will take a cheese and fruit tray to enjoy while watching a Broadway musical like 鈥淒reamgirls,鈥� (in which she recently had a walk-on roll). She鈥檚 also excited that the outdoor theater has brought concerts back. On her ideal day, she would love to see a John Legend show.

Between 10 and 10:30 p.m., it鈥檚 time for bed.

By Aisha Sultan

Brian OwensIn 2016 Brian Owens started Life Creative STL, an organization that empowers young artists with financial, artistic and social support. But the Americana Soul singer mostly credits his dad, Thomas Owens, with supporting him. The two have a popular Father鈥檚 Day concert and a new album, 鈥淔orever Young!鈥� The father-son duo are known for their 2013 recording of Sam Cooke鈥檚 鈥淎 Change Is Gonna Come,鈥� which has amassed a whopping 118 million views on YouTube. Owens, who lives in Ferguson, says whatever he is doing, his perfect day includes constantly talking to God. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what I do,鈥� he says.

Morning

For this imagined perfect day, Owens envisioned an upcoming day he had mostly already planned, celebrating his anniversary with his wife of 20 years, Amanda.

Owens says he鈥檇 start his morning with a glass of water to get his body going. Amanda does a devotional with their eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 16. Then, on this weekend, all of the kids are off to a visit with Amanda鈥檚 parents in Illinois. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a blessing to have eight kids, and it鈥檚 a blessing to have in-laws who want to spend time with them.鈥�

Next it鈥檚 a workout at the University of Missouri-果酱视频鈥� rec center. He鈥檒l start with a basketball warmup and then do some kind of high intensity circuit or weight training.

After showering, he grabs breakfast with his dad, Thomas. 鈥淲e love First Watch,鈥� Owens says.

Afternoon

On the way back, he may pick up something for his wife from Made. by Lia. Then it鈥檚 off to do one of the couple鈥檚 favorite activities: thrifting. 鈥淲e鈥檒l hit like St. Vincent DePaul in Florissant or Salvation Army or Goodwill.鈥�

Lunch is Hendel鈥檚 in Florissant. 鈥淢y favorite thing is a salmon power bowl 鈥� which is amazing. Grilled salmon, the glaze is phenomenal.鈥�

After lunch, 鈥淲e come back to an empty house that is quiet, and sleep and do our own thing 鈥� maybe just a long nap. I love film, so I鈥檒l watch a movie or documentary or something like that.鈥�

鈥淎fter we do a movie we may decide to hang out and do some stuff in the yard, just kind of chilling.鈥�

Evening

Dinner will be at Pearl Cafe, a Thai restaurant on Lindbergh Boulevard. Then, Owens鈥� perfect night would include a night out on the town. 鈥淢aybe we catch a show,鈥� such as a concert at the Pageant by his friend Michael McDonald.

鈥淲e will go to an event and just hang and then come home to an empty house.

鈥淔or me the perfect day is being able to have time to dedicate to being with my wife, whatever that looks like. We can appreciate one another for who we are and enjoy some great food. It鈥檚 going to be faith, family and food.鈥�

By Amy Bertrand

Tom 鈥淧apa鈥� and Laura Ray Owner of Vintage Vinyl for 44 years, Tom 鈥淧apa鈥� Ray is a 果酱视频 institution, as is his wife, Laura Ray. She co-produces and co-directs the show 鈥淢ama Said, Mama Said,鈥� which shares stories from local writers about moms and motherhood. Both of them executive produce a show on PBS, 鈥淧apa Ray鈥檚 Vintage Vinyl Road Show,鈥� about visiting indie record stores but always returning to Vintage Vinyl in 果酱视频.

Laura鈥檚 鈥淢ama Said, Mama Said鈥� show is also on national PBS. The stage version was filmed and divided into episodes along with filmed interviews. They both love 果酱视频 and are excited about showcasing the city on TV. In fact, they love so much about the city, they might need a whole weekend to do everything in their perfect day.

Morning

Instead of an alarm clock, the Rays have a dog. 鈥淲e wake up at 6:46 every morning because of our dog,鈥� Laura says. 鈥淚f it was our dream day, we鈥檇 sleep in till 7:30, but that doesn鈥檛 happen.鈥�

But after the Rays are up, they know exactly what the perfect day would look like. 鈥淪o if we can plan the day, it鈥檚 about 70 degrees, and we get to sit outside at Songbird for breakfast and Chris (Meyer, the owner) gets to sit down and talk to us. There鈥檇 be spinach frittatas and homemade scones to die for,鈥� Laura says.

Afternoon

This might require its own day, but supposing that the weather is beautiful and there鈥檚 enough time, the Rays would head out on a road trip to Montelle Winery in Augusta, even though they don鈥檛 drink, or for a drive on the Great River Road.

The reason? They love their car.

鈥淔or my birthday we drove to Louisville to buy a used, hard-top Volvo convertible,鈥� Laura says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a 2011, and it鈥檚 the coolest car I have ever had in my whole life. I love driving in the convertible.鈥�

Afternoon plans if the weather is bad

If its inclement, they have their favorite indoor spots as well.

鈥淲e got married at City Museum, and both of our kids had their bat mitzvah parties there on the third floor architectural hall. So if it鈥檚 like a rainy day after breakfast, we鈥檇 love to hang out there. It鈥檚 one of our favorite places in 果酱视频,鈥� Laura says.

Tom also loves hat shopping at Levine鈥檚 so they could drive down Washington to his favorite hat shop. Then for lunch, on a perfect day, they鈥檇 get Indian food, Tom鈥檚 favorite.

鈥淲e鈥檇 choose between our two favorites, which are Taj Palace or India Palace,鈥� Tom says.

Evening

For dinner, the Rays also have two favorites: Frazier鈥檚 and Acero. 鈥淚f we were at Frazier鈥檚, after dinner we鈥檇 hang out at Venice Caf茅 right next door,鈥� Laura says.

Later, they would try to catch a concert. It鈥檚 not a surprise that the two love music and Tom even sometimes plays harmonica with the Soulard Blues Band. They tick off some of their favorite places to catch a concert: Kranzberg鈥檚 Dark Room at the Grandel, Hammerstones at Ninth and Russell, Broadway Oyster Bar ...

For acts they would love to catch, many could make the day perfect, including the Bosman Twins, Soulard Blues Band, Marquise Knox and the Rum Drum Ramblers. Plus, out-of-town acts, 鈥淲hen musicians come to town, some of them we know because they鈥檝e played in the store,鈥� Laura says.

鈥淲e always try to go to independent places, stores and independent restaurants,鈥� Tom says. 鈥淲hen you spend your money at an independent business, whatever it is, that money stays in your community much longer than when you go to a big box store or chain restaurant, the moment you run your card, that money goes out of the state.鈥�

By Rosalind Early

Rob ConnoleyWhen Rob Connoley announced last month that he was closing Bulrush and leaving Missouri to protest the anti-LGBTQ policies advocated by state Attorney General Andrew Bailey, it was a big blow to the 果酱视频 restaurant scene. Acclaimed since its 2019 debut, Bulrush was ranked No. 1 in the 2024 edition of my STL 100, and Connoley was a finalist for this year鈥檚 prestigious 鈥淏est Chef: Midwest鈥� James Beard Award.

A 果酱视频 native whose family has long roots in Missouri, Connoley is also a fierce advocate for our food scene. Bulrush itself explored the historical cuisine of the Ozarks and, through its 鈥渞eparative restauranting鈥� model, sought to give back to the community. In this interview, which I conducted before Connoley鈥檚 announcement, he singled out several small, local, independent restaurants that he has come to know well in recent years.

Connoley鈥檚 perfect day is delicious, of course.

Morning

For breakfast, Connoley visits the bakery at Wei Hong Seafood Restaurant in University City for a fresh soy milk and his 鈥渉oly trinity鈥�: a fried sesame ball, fresh peanut mochi and a pineapple bun. Connoley is trying to learn Mandarin 鈥� 鈥渁n incredibly hard language,鈥� he says 鈥� and is studying the language鈥檚 history. Dim sum, for example, doesn鈥檛 traditionally mean a meal; instead, it is a small offering to the gods.

This knowledge has led Connoley to explore Chinese pastry. Wei Hong Seafood is the only spot in town that dives deeply into those dishes. That peanut mochi (an unsweetened glutinous rice ball filled with sweetened ground peanut) is a specific enough dish that Wei Hong must make it fresh when he orders it.

Connoley is also preparing Chinese pastries himself. 鈥淏ut, you know, it鈥檚 a lot of work,鈥� he says. 鈥淪ometimes, I鈥檇 rather just buy it.鈥�

From Wei Hong, Connoley heads south to Pickle Springs Natural Area, east of Farmington in New Offenburg. He needs about an hour to hike the Pickle Springs trail, enjoying the waterfalls and rock features.

Pickle Springs, Connoley says, 鈥渕ay be the most beautiful hike in the area.鈥�

Afternoon

A good hike deserves a sweet treat. Connoley heads back to University City for his go-to drink at Sum Tea House: a taro milk tea with crystal boba and salted-cheese foam, 50% sweet, light ice.

Boba tea is booming across the metro area in both the number of shops specializing in the drink and the number of options available at these shops, like salted-cheese foam.

鈥淚 avoided it for the longest time until I accidentally got it,鈥� Connoley says. 鈥淎nd then I realized, 鈥極h, this is just basically foamy cheesecake.鈥欌��

Connoley now embarks on a different sort of hike, browsing the restaurant-supply store Dragon Trading Co. in Overland. He is happy just to marvel at Dragon Trading鈥檚 wares 鈥� the largest woks he鈥檚 ever seen, the numerous Hello Kitty security cameras 鈥� but he is a customer, too. He stocked up here ahead of Bulrush鈥檚 debut.

Today, Connoley stocks up on gossip. Dragon Trading鈥檚 owner knows who鈥檚 opening a restaurant, who鈥檚 closing, who鈥檚 breaking up with whom.

鈥淪he knows it all,鈥� he says.

Evening

Since Connoley moved back to 果酱视频 in 2016, he has connected with the area鈥檚 Chinese community through friends. One of those friends introduced him to ChiliSpot, a perpetually crowded Sichuan restaurant in University City.

He now eats there at least once a week, including dinner on this perfect day.

鈥淭hat menu is so large, and the quality is so good across the menu, that you really can鈥檛 go wrong.鈥�

That said, his dinner features dry-pot chicken and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a cold appetizer of beef tendon and tripe in a spicy and (thanks to Sichuan peppercorn) tingly mala sauce.

For a nightcap and a snack, Connoley finishes his day at Stew鈥檚 Food & Liquor, a new Soulard spot that has become a restaurant-industry hangout thanks to its late hours. Connoley鈥檚 tipple of choice is a Manhattan, though sometimes the bartenders will concoct a drink for him based on his mood.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e just so hospitable, oh my goodness,鈥� Connoley says. 鈥淟ike, they know we鈥檝e all had a hard day.鈥�

By Ian Froeb

Peter Wyse JacksonThough he is soon to retire from his post as president of the Missouri Botanical Garden, a perfect day in 果酱视频 would find Peter Wyse Jackson spending even more time on the garden鈥檚 grounds.

Morning

Jackson has two possibilities for breakfast on a perfect 果酱视频 day, and both would see him sharing the meal with his children and grandchildren.

He might get 鈥渙ne of everything鈥� at World鈥檚 Fair Donuts, bringing them home and cutting them up to share with the family.

鈥淥r we鈥檇 go out to Uncle Bill鈥檚 Pancake House on Kingshighway and have more calories than we should, a 2x2x2x2. Depending on how greedy one is, you can have two of everything: pancakes and bacon and eggs and hash browns, the classic American breakfast,鈥� says Wyse Jackson, who is from Ireland.

That鈥檚 breakfast on an ideal day, of course.

鈥淥n my normal day, I wouldn鈥檛 consider having that. I鈥檓 lucky if I can get coffee,鈥� he says.

After breakfast would come a walk through the Missouri Botanical Garden.

鈥淚 would love to have the tulips in full bloom, and maybe lots of the Alpine plants in the rock garden. They鈥檙e all exquisite little flowers that come out in spring,鈥� he says.

Afternoon

Next up is lunch, and again he won鈥檛 stray too far from home.

鈥淚鈥檇 probably go to the Sassafras restaurant, which is in the new Taylor Visitor Center in the garden, and sit and watch all the visitors enjoying themselves,鈥� he says.

鈥淚 like things like the salads. I鈥檝e had a good breakfast, so I don鈥檛 want to spoil it by having a huge lunch.鈥�

After lunch, Wyse Jackson says he might indulge in his fondness for antique shops.

鈥淪ince I鈥檓 at the garden, I could just go to the Little Shop Around the Corner,鈥� which is two blocks away and is run by and for the benefit of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

鈥淚 love going in there, to spend an hour or two there, to see what treasures I could find. I鈥檓 afraid I collect things I don鈥檛 need,鈥� he says.

He often looks for paintings, especially by Irish artists, 鈥渂ut I have eclectic taste.鈥� He has a collection of primitive paintings that he picked up in the Caribbean and Victorian landscapes; he also likes to look for old glass and silver.

Evening

After hitting the antiques store, he would head over to Randall鈥檚 Wine and Spirits on Southwest Avenue and find a nice bottle of French Bordeaux, preferably a few years old.

Then he would go to his home on the garden grounds for a dinner of steaks, perhaps, grilled on the terrace.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to have a glass of this French Bordeaux wine on my perfect day for dinner, or maybe two, with people I enjoy and preferably family around me who all love their wines.鈥�

By Daniel Neman

Min Jung KimThe first woman to lead the 果酱视频 Art Museum, Min Jung Kim moved to 果酱视频 in 2021. Born in Seoul, South Korea, her career has been largely in the United States. Just before 果酱视频, she was director and CEO of the New Britain Museum of American Art in Connecticut. Now, Kim, her partner and their 15-year-old son count Sundays as their day of leisure, yet it鈥檚 still filled with cooking, biking and even building complex Lego models.

Morning

She can sometimes squeeze in a call to her parents or other relatives in South Korea on a Sunday morning 鈥� it鈥檚 evening for them with a 15-hour difference. But while Saturdays are filled with errands and sometimes museum events, Sundays tend to be quieter, and she can stay in bed a couple of hours later than her usual 6 or 6:30 a.m.

By 8 a.m., though, Kim is ready to make herself an espresso or tea and listen to a podcast or read while the rest of the family sleeps in. 鈥淚 find these quiet mornings to be very rejuvenating.鈥�

A Sunday morning allows her to delve into 鈥渧arious blogs or articles or things that I鈥檝e been meaning to read, but never really had time to during the week or to read a review of the latest exhibition.鈥� A couple hours later, she might make waffles then cajole others to help tidy up the house.

Afternoon

Art seems to never be completely absent from her schedule, but Kim also finds many other things to do in 果酱视频, whether it鈥檚 Shakespeare in the Park, the Muny, the zoo or the history museum. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always something going on.鈥� 果酱视频ans are 鈥渧ery hardy,鈥� Kim notes, unafraid to brave the heat and humidity of the summer.

Kim鈥檚 son, Daniel, and partner, Thomas, sometimes accompany her on activities, including museum events or visits. But often, a Sunday afternoon means a bike ride to explore the area: 鈥淭here are beautiful trails in Forest Park, Tower Grove Park, and we鈥檝e gone out on Katy Trail as well.鈥� They might ride from their home in the Central West End and hit the north side for ice cream at Crown Candy on one of their 10- to 20-mile rides. Kim enjoys an electric bike, which helped a lot when she used to ride in the Adirondack Mountains. But Daniel has enthusiasm for regular pedal power.

鈥淣ot only can we do that as a family,鈥� she says, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 been great for me to be able to learn and discover more about 果酱视频 and get a better appreciation of its history, as well.鈥�

Evening

鈥淥n the weeknights, you know, I鈥檓 rushing home, we鈥檙e trying to get something prepared and on the table as quickly as possible, before it gets too late. So, Sunday, if we can have a leisurely day where maybe we start out with some appetizers and a little drink and maybe some cheese or crudit茅s, etc.鈥� Kim 鈥渓oves鈥� using the oven because she didn鈥檛 grow up with one in South Korea. But on a hot summer night, Thomas often grills while Daniel acts as sous chef, chopping vegetables.

The family loves to watch movies, such as 鈥淐hef鈥� or even older ones such as 鈥淭he Great Escape.鈥� 鈥淲e鈥檝e probably watched every movie that鈥檚 been made,鈥� she says. But she avoids horror movies: 鈥淚鈥檓 a big scaredy cat.鈥�

Another family project is complex Lego models. They鈥檝e been working on an intricate, 9,000-piece Titanic model. While they鈥檙e building it, they see 鈥渓ayer by layer, all the rooms, the boiler rooms, the engineers鈥� space, I mean, it鈥檚 just so intricate.鈥� But when it鈥檚 done, those interior rooms will be closed off and all a visitor will see is the exterior of the famous ship.

By Jane Henderson