Now that Mainlander has opened in its new location at 392 N. Euclid between Session Taco and Tikka Tangy, all of the storefronts at the southeast corner of Euclid and McPherson are in operation once again. That is really great news.
Following its move from 8 S. Euclid, Mainlander seems to be thriving, quickly filling up reservations for its Supper Club and, judging by the line starting at 5:45 p.m., the bar—The Jujube Inn—has found an instant following as well. More information about both dining experiences follow the photographs.
In mid-October, neighborhood business owners gathered with Mainlander’s owners for what has recently become a tradition at Euclid and McPherson, a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Participants were from left, Park Central Neighborhood Assn’s. Gabe Lepak; Session Taco’s Manager Sean Harris; CWENCID Board Member Ken Fowler; Session Taco’s Joshua Laney; Mainlander Pastry Chef Michael McGovern; Developer Pete Rothschild; Mainlander Co-Owners Gordon Chen and Blake Askew; 9th Ward Alderman Michael Browning; CWE resident Marc Dangerfield; Neighborhood Improvement Specialist Ron Coleman; Drips Botanical’s Proprietors Très Johnson & Becki Murabito; and World Chess Hall of Fame’s Nick Schleicher and Sam Balmer.
From left: Mainlander’s pastry chef, Michael McGovern, and co-owners Gordon Chen and Blake Askew.
Mainlander offers two dining experiences: The Supper Club’s 3-course all-inclusive prix-fixe menu is available from Wednesday through Saturday with two seatings, at 6 or 8:30 p.m., reservations required. The Jujube Inn offers “Tidbits & Tibbles, No Reservations, No Tipping.” It’s open Wednesday through Saturday from 5:45 to 11:45 p.m., first come, first served. For more information here is a link to the q & a section on Mainlander’s website.
The Holiday Inn Express at 4630 Lindell is now sporting the Hotel Indigo flag. Matt Abbott, owner of Kansas City-based Abbott Properties, acquired the hotel in 2018, and over the past year has updated hotel rooms and transformed a rather pedestrian dining area into the Bel Air Social, a food and entertainment venue. The lower level has been renovated to host events.
At the ribbon cutting in early October, General Manager Dan Molina, 4th from left, congratulated the staff, saying: “Your passion, your drive, everything you do has made this a possibility. We couldn’t have done it without you. I want to single out Rosa Roja (holding scissors), the longest tenured individual on the team, who has given her all as the hotel has gone through many changes.”
Molina added that Matt Abbott, wants the Bel Air Social to be an immersive social space for hotel guests and the St. Louis community.
The plaque noting the history of the hotel is installed near the entry to Bel Air Social.
Bel Air Social has several tenants including Outpost Coffee [& Bricks] “Build Something Here, where coffee and LEGO® come together” (Lego rental menu here).
Outpost Coffee offers pastries and a LEGO® Happy Hour from 2 to 5.
There is also a Bel Air Bar on site (not photographed).
Scott Sandler, the proprietor of PizzaVia, has moved his business from the corner of Maryland and Taylor to the Bel Air Social. STL Today’s Ian Froeb has included Pizza Via in his top 100 St. Louis Restaurants list for many years. Several neighbors said they were delighted to discover that Sandler sells pizza by the slice at his new location.
The courtyard area during the renovation.
The completed patio outside the Bel Air Social, meant for hotel guests and patrons of the restaurant venues.
Hotel Indigo & Bel Air Social, 4630 Lindell.