Reviews written by c_spen_005

This is not a restaurant but rather a specialty bakery for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes. I never knew this place existed until about a week ago when I purchased a coupon online for a great deal on baked goods. After briefly speaking to the owner, Tara Jensen, I was informed that this location has been in operation since October of 2009. I must say, the items in the display case looked so delicious it was hard for me to make my selection. When I did finally make my choices I picked: 1 brownie, 2 chocolate chip cookies, 2 red velvet cupcakes, 2 vanilla butter cupcakes (that have these crazy flower icing decorations on them), and 2 peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. Needless to say, I have not even consumed half of these items but what I have tried blew me away! After checking out her website I noticed that she uses Penzey's cocoa in her chocolate cupcakes and that just made me even more excited! (Penzy's is an all natural spice shop located off Manchester in Maplewood and I have been absolutely thrilled about everything I have purchased and/or received for free) Noted on her website, this is a location ideal for play dates and/or mothers or friends who would like to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee with their favorite sugary endulgance. If you are ever in the area and your sweet tooth starts nagging, definitely stop by this location and grab a cookie, brownie, or cupcake!

Conveniently located in the grand hall just outside of the casino floor, Lewy Nine's has not let me down any of the times I have eaten there. The appearance of the cafe alone is enough to make you feel like you are about to spend $40 for two people but if you limit yourself to only one glass of $5 wine (any of the selection - just $5) and an entree you are sure to leave satisfied and still with cash in pocket. My favorite aspect of this restaurant is that there are healthy choices on the menu along with not so healthy choices, depending on your mood. The coleslaw replacement for fries is defintely a nice touch. If you happen to order the fries you will not be disappointed as they are cooked fresh and taste unbelievably light and crunchy. So far my favorite entree for dinner is the chicken wrap with balsamic dressing and a side of coleslaw. For those bacon lovers out there, I recommend the BLT wrap - I have never seen such a large quantity of good quality bacon on a wrap in any restaurant until I experienced it here. The pulled pork and beer battered cod are also amazing. I have yet to try any of their desserts, given that the entrees alone fill me up, but they look delicious. If going out for dinner is not your cup of tea, then perhaps you will like the breakfast or lunch specials, which sound great and are priced to match! My final rave about this location is the comment card given to guests at the end of their dining experience. I filled one out after my first time eating there, suggesting they serve bread or some sort of complimentary appetizer and the next week when I went in they had begun serving delicous bread to their guests! This is one of the few spots in the Saint Louis area that seems to appreciate and act on suggestions from guests. I only hope that this restaurant keeps up this great service!

When I visited this location I went to see the Bottoms Up Blues Gang. This bar is very artsy, almost beatnic like (think City Museum wall decor). They serve food in the summer, but not in the winter as their kitchen is outside. Prices are average, but happy hour seems like a good deal on drinks. Contrary to the name of "cafe" they only serve regular coffee but they do have a decent selection of alcohol. Very cool two-story bar with bars located on both levels. It really is not a huge place, but I think that is part of what adds to the cozy feel. Everyone seems friendly and its a very welcoming place. Definitely worth a visit or two..or more.

We went to this location upon referal from another couple who had nothing but great things to say about this restaurant. There is not a whole lot of seating in the joint, however, that is minimal compared to the awesome experience we had. Think KFC but home made and twice as great! They also, as their name implies, serve a variety of fish. I am in love with the coleslaw there. The fried chicken is the best I have ever had. The staff seemed very young but regardless every employee made us feel welcome and appreciated. Too bad there are not more restaurants like this! I highly suggest everyone go try this place out at least once to go see for yourself.

Personally, this location has its benefits for me being as that it is only a few minutes away from my house compared to Lumiere. I am a fairly regular gambler and this being said I feel a little disappointed. I know pay outs are not going to be that great for a while as River City needs to produce some sort of revenue. The beer selection is minimal compared to Lumiere and Harrahs. The lay out of this casino is nice and it is easy to remember. The bathrooms are almost rediculous, each stall has its own room with a heavy door (it slams shut when you exit it) and makes it very hard to find an available "room". True, it makes the experience nicer but I have to think this may not have been thought out all the way. The first three times I went no one carded me and I typically get triple checked at Lumiere. I'm not complaining but I thought it was a requirement for them to have to check i.d.s prior to entry. I also like the fact that there is tons of free parking spaces available (similar to that of Harrah's minus the huge parking garage). I have yet to venture out to the non-casino attractions of River City but I'm hoping those features will make up for my current thoughts on the new casino.

(First & foremost, the "4" is a result of what I experienced while being open minded to music I may not typically seek out on a regular basis. As you will see below, if you are not a fan of original, NON-mainstream music then you will and I will have to agree to disagree on my rating)

I’m sure everyone has at some point heard the long said phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”; apply these words of wisdom to this funky and folksy quintet from St. Louis and you are sure to have a pleasant reaction to their five year long soul-based concoction. Comprised of five neighborhood friends, Fattback has formed a mold that can only be filled by their chemistry as both friends and artists working tightly together.
This is definitely a group you must either be partial to (or at least to this genre of music) from the get-go or you must be drunk/high to enjoy. Neither of which is an issue, but for those close-minded critics that seem to pop up everywhere in the St. Louis area – this is not for you. Fattback is simply a party for the people; they are not a sell-out, cookie cutter, scripted group.
Performance wise Fattback holds a good level of stage presence and brings a nice level of energy to the crowd. My personal favorite tune for the night was “Lemme get a dollar” more or less because of the funny lyrics and the quick rhythm. Being as that I saw them New Years Eve it was the perfect fit for a festive evening, however, any time you are looking for some funky tunes to ‘act a fool’ to, these are your guys.


*Photo courtesy of the Fattback myspace page.

If you are in the mood for some sultry blues I highly recommend this duo. Whether you are looking to wind down after a busy day or seeking to enhance your inebriated mellow state of mind, the Bottoms Up Blues Gang is an ideal choice. Sassy lyrics and seductive sounds will ease your woes and encourage your body to sway in unison to the delightful creation these musicians undoubtedly worked hard to achieve. Incorporated within their performance was a nice variety of musical instruments adding to their over all appeal.

The group consists of two main players, primarily one vocal and one guitar but they do incorporate other musicians (perhaps they plan this in advance, perhaps they improvise as they go, either way you’ll never know as they are just that good!) all of which, from what I have heard, seem to fit perfectly. From a first live listen I’d say this group had been playing together for quite some time, this includes all four of the musicians and had they not stated that two of them were not regular band members I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.

Not only does this gang pass the musical talent category in flying colors but they also do a mighty fine job at keeping their audience entertained, whether through customized song endings created spur-of-the-moment or sneaking in bits and pieces of humor. Entertainment is just as much an important aspect as anything else when you are a performer and score high numbers in all such aspects. If you remotely like blues, you are sure to love the Bottoms Up Blues Gang sound and you’ll be pleased to know you are supporting a St. Louis group when you go see them live. (Check out their website for upcoming gigs: http://www.bottomsupblues.com )

As a work of true progression Nedra’s original lyrics and sound have resulted in their debut album (Demons Vol. I) just released October 30th of this year. Excited to share their passion, Nedra will soon have their album for sale through several online retailers once final negotiations are agreed upon. Until then, you can enjoy their music at various venues in and around the St. Louis area (see their myspace page for further details).


Nedra creates a some-what mainstream sound through the combinations of alternative, rock and metal styles. Lyrically Nedra does not stand in any one distinct category as their word choice will appeal to a broad range of audiences. From the show I personally saw I would describe the lyrical content as evoking various emotions including struggle, defeat, and pain; this is not to say the band is about “death, doom, and gloom”, but rather about showing the common ground every human has experienced– this is familiar territory for everyone, thus, it will most likely appeal to most everyone as well. The instrumental aspect of their product compliments their lyrics, which in turn should again, appeal to a large majority.


Parts of Nedra’s show seemed energizing while other sections felt mellow. It seemed part of the audience lost their interest early into the show. Granted, this was Hallows Eve and nearly everyone at the VooDoo Lounge was intoxicated and Nedra was last to grace the stage, however, I believe that if Nedra added a little more energy to their physical performance on stage, their shows would be a sure hit for a wide range of audiences.

Warning: Not for those who love snappy beats but hate it when you have a song stuck in your head for 3 consecutive days. Proceed with caution.

Variety is something you can never get enough of and Fire Dog gets that. Not your typical mainstream band, the members brought a certainly unique pizazz to an otherwise ordinary atmosphere. Comprised of 3 individuals (Mark - guitar/lead vocals, Celia - bass/vocals, Brandon - drums), a fun appearence, and happy-go-lucky beats that just beckon to the audience, 'come on, you know you want to dance to this' you will experience immediate and involuntary toe-tapping and hip-swaying.

If you so dare, check out their sites to sample their sound. Kind of like the Pringle's Jingle - "once you pop you just can't stop" I'd say this is a perfect scenario to apply that to. Once you become addicted, support your new found habbit by seeing them live. You have been warned.

I went to see a local band at this venue on a Friday night, honestly, I got in free, however, everyone else was charged $6 for entry; typical entry is $6 and up. The set up of this place is very cool, it still had the original Soulard Library (yes, it is a historical building, hence the name) feel to it which is a nice change compared to other local hot spots in the area. The bar is nice and fully stocked; their happy hour is $1 bottle beers and 25 cent hot wings (this goes until 7pm, which is the typical cut off time for happy hours). They also have a full lunch and dinner menu - we ordered the Grilled Chicken club with the house made chips and the bison burger with the house made fries. We were very pleased and for the both of us, the tab for the meal was only $13! Service is very prompt and curteous and the age crowd is older: think late 20's to 50's. My only complaint was feeling like I was being suffocated because of the crowd grouped around us through out the later part of the evening. I was getting drinks spilled on me, my purse, and someone else's purse jammed into my chest. The unavoidable inconveniences aside, this is a very fun place to take a date or a group of friends.

If you are headed to this corner retaurant & bar on South Grand for some Italian food, heads up: the kitchen closes at 10:30pm. However, if you are just going to listen to some local music and grab some drinks, you are in luck as they stay open until 3am. The interior of the restuarant is dimly lit for a calming/intimate feeling; there are plenty of seats and tables and the service is well staffed. If you have never been to this place before, there is not a huge sign or anything at night, just "Mangia" in lights in the far left window - so keep your eyes peeled or you may miss it! *PS I did not give them a rating for the Food Quality simply because I have not tried their food yet.

Very 'radio-friendly' with creative lyrics and catchy beats, Bullshed brought the most fans (aka 'shedheads') to the Pageant with them on August 15th. Personally, they remind me of Staind - mainstream sound that easily will be on the forefront of your mind for several hours. Smooth vocals and collaborative instrumental sound seemed perfected, even though this band has only been together 7 months!

Definitely worth a visit to their myspace page for a listen!

Think Eminem's lyrical obsenity, profanity, and explicit sexual content mixed with some random guys that look like they literally grabbed a few members off the street, mismatched rhythms from the turn tables, and of course a very uncomfortable audience forcely being subjected to this rediculous mess.

During the first few songs I really did think this group had to be a joke, as if they were mocking some other hip hop group out there. They'd make a great Mad TV sketch, but I realized they were serious when someone in the audience shouted "you suck!" and the lead rapper yelled back " yeah, and so do you and your mom, for a fee, [enter profane name here]!" How professional..and charming.

This group was disturbing on both a lyrical level and physical level (the main rapper, "Mr. Holes", pulled down part of his pants to show us his butt cheek and he also acted out sexual positions with his wife on stage).

The lyrical content consisted of stories about suicide and gang banging. Really?! How, clever! And the "group" was 2 random, overweight dudes in business suits trying to dance to the hip hop rythmn while muttering occassional words, off tune of course; 1 emo-esque looking guy with the skinniest black pants I've ever seen and handcuffs dangling from his belt loop; some tall, very pale guy trying to sing in a painfully disturbing soprano voice; and a few other guys that I really don't remember what they looked like as the other goofy guys stole most of my attention.

No one danced to their music (except this one couple, but I think they were drunk), and 2 random older dudes that were trying to do cartwheels - and failed miserably- and that also thought shaking maracas would add to the Dug Holes show - no, nothing could have made this show better.

No one, other than those I just listed above, enjoyed this. Everyone around me was whispering in confusion, disgust, and aggrevation. No one clapped for this group either, even when they paused for applause. Their cheesy "conversation" transitions between songs just made them look even more rediculous.

Really, this group was not my cup of tea, nor was it for most of the people there.

Honestly, I'd love to learn more about these guys, but I have yet to get a response back from them nor does their myspace page say much besides the basics. From what I got from their show, they are a very cool, smooth jamming band and lead guitar/singer really has a nice screaming voice - of course, he does not use it through out the whole show, just in occassional parts. It is difficult to find individuals who can sing and scream.

I counted 5 individuals on the stage, and only 4 active members are listed on their myspace, so I am not intentionally leaving anyone out. They played at Fubar a week or so ago and Fubar's air conditioning must have been broken, so everyone there including the band were sweating bullets and frying as we stood there. I commend them for rocking through it all and putting on a great show.

Something else I picked up on is that they are trying to win a spot on the Motley Crue 2009 tour and other sweet prizes from Gibson. Check them out, if you like them even half as much as I did, vote for them!

Electifying sounds and a head banging beat just about sums up the glorious sound that comes from this talented trio; Clever lyrics and hot logo prints on their gear only adds to their appeal. I'm not too sure if this band is wanting to tour but they have the talent, makings, and flash appeal to do so. From their speakers, to the lead guitar - everything is decked out with their logo and it looks super sweet, infact, their website is one of the best I've yet to see from a local band.

Revelation 7 has 2 eps: "Seven" and "R.U.O.K" ; currently they are working on a music video for "Invisible Wall" and plan to record a new cd next year. My favorite song of the evening was STRANGE. Check them out on myspace or on their website, you will not be disappointed.

Should I have been right, and you dig them as well, you can find their next playing venue and date on their myspace page and I highly recommend you see them live!


UPDATE: I recently saw them at the Library on Friday, September 25 and to sum the experience up in a short but sweet fashion: They brought so much energy to not only the stage, but the entire venue that about 20 or so females with neon pink hair were magnetically drawn onto the stage to dance alongside the band members. That takes some talent, folks! (For those of you who did not get to view this entertaining spectacle, I am refering to the bachelorette party)

Another thing that makes this bar stand out is the fact that they play Family Guy on the bar tvs as opposed to either the news or sports like every other bar in the area - nice change for once.

Even though the lighting was poor and the sound system could have been upgraded, Dan Brown Jr. and his band rocked the stage hard. The songs they played were on their newest album in the works, and each sounded fantastic; the rhythm itself will get you involuntarily moving some part of your body to the beat and the guitar solos will blow you away. Some guitar solos drone on and can hurt the ears after a while if played poorly – Dan Brown Jr. has got it down to a science! Perfected to a ‘t’, you will hear some amazing sounds that will leaving your ears pleasantly buzzing later. All three band members formed a perfect unison in their songs bringing some of the best beats I’ve heard yet locally; this could easily be a band that you will see in much brighter lights and bigger venues down the road!

This is a fabulous place to go for lunch if you enjoy any kind of deli sandwiches. I would say this was a step up from McAlister's Deli in the sense of both food quality and atmosphere. The food is made right behind the counter (in view of the customer) and only takes a minute or two to prepare. They have healthy side options and a variety of bread and buns for your sandwich.

Over all I was VERY pleased with the service, atmosphere and food quality the only thing I have to gripe about is the fact that there were only 4 cans of soda and 1 bottle of water to choose from for your drink and for the price they charge - really?

Honestly, the only reason I even went to this joint is because I had a mystery shop to complete. I had never heard of it before and thought it may be a fun experience. The first thing that caught my attention was the eyesore of interior color choice: everything is red and white..the walls, the seats, the floor, the trash cans..

Then I saw the menu - 3 items to choose from: a burger (whether cheese, non-cheese, with or without bacon, regular size or small size), a hot dog, and fries. No healthy side option. Of course, there was soda, too but that wasn't really a menu option, just an addition to your choice of the big 3.

You get to see 18-22 year olds make your burgers in front of you. They didn't seem too overly happy but then again they do probably only get paid a lousy $8 per hour.

At least the joint itself seemed clean. They have peanuts sitting out, its a tad weird I think, but some people like it.

The burger itself wasn't bad or anything but I seriously think I was charged too much - for 1 cheese burger, a SMALL fry and SMALL drink, my total was $10 and some change. My dinner mate ordered 1 cheese burger and 1 SMALL fry and his bill exceeded $7. The burger was around the same quality and taste of Hardees, although I tend to think I'd take Hardees over these burgers any day. On the flipside though, I think 5 Guys has the best tasting natural fries I've yet to have. So kudos to them for getting at least something praise worthy. You really cannot mess up soda unless the carbonation or syrup ratio is off.

Not to sound so harsh to this place, but really, that $10 could have bought me a full meal at Red Robin's, Applebees, lunch at Olive Garden...or, I could have saved myself some money (approximately $3 to $4) and could have just gone to Hardees..

The Basics: Review at Vintage Vinyl on July 31, 2009

Keeping the crowd amped up, the lead singer, John, talks to the audience between songs, either with jokes or a small background on the next piece they will play. All three of the band members complimented the others’ sound in a manner that kept the environment energized and upbeat. The crowd gradually grew larger as their performance went on, dragging in passer-bys from the street in front of the record shop. The audience bobbed their head with the beat and about a fourth of the group seemed to have already been familiar with the sound of the JOHN MAXFIELD BAND.


Contact Information:
http:// www.johnmaxfield.net
http://www.myspace.com/johnmaxfieldband