Weather conditions and human activities affect the population of monarchs. And according to Dr. Chip Taylor, a continued decline could mean the migration of these butterflies could be lost.

Ever since Monarch shuttered last Spring, former executive chef JOSH GALLIANO has been keeping busy with a variety of culinary projects around town. The foodie community has been waiting patiently to see where he would land on a more permanent basis, and now the wait is over: It's been announced that Galliano and restaurateurs NICK and AUDRA LUEDDE are teaming up to open The Libertine. The new restaurant reportedly is scheduled to debut in the former Chez Leon space in Clayton later this year, if all goes according to plan. We’re told Galliano’s menu will be divided into the three categories simply defined as ‘Vegetables’, ‘Meat’ and ‘Seafood,’ and there will also be plenty of craft cocktails, beers and wines available. The Libertine will serve dinner from 4:30 to 10 p.m. during the week and until 11 p.m. on the weekends, with lunch service slated to begin later in the year. We'll keep you posted as details emerge.

The past year has been a busy one for the St. Louis culinary scene. Here are a few of the highlights from 2012:

We love giving gifts of plant products to friends near and far. One of my favorite treasures to send is maple syrup from our relative’s farm in New Hampshire. It takes 100 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup, but don’t look for the romantic image of draft horses hauling a sleigh of sap. Today, sap is extracted from trees with a web of plastic tubing and a giant vacuum cleaner. You can find the result in gift-sized cans or bottles at many local retailers.

Saturday 3

Yours truly was honored to be a judge at a chili cook-off, part of the annual Fall Festival at Reed Elementary School in Ladue, on Oct. 14. This was the first year for the cook-off, which took the place of the long-running pie-baking contest, and 14 chili masters stepped up to compete. Custom-carved pumpkins from CJ Sanders were given out as prizes for categories such as Best Pork Chili, Best Beef Chili and Best Vegetarian Chili. At the end of the day, JALAIN FELLMAN took the overall top honors with her creation, dubbed Blazing Saddles.

Story: In 1862, the king of Siam (modern-day Thailand) is interested in modernizing his nation. He enlists the aid of a Burmese contact to find a British woman who will teach his dozens of children the language of English as well as European customs. Anna Leonowens, widow of an English Army officer, accepts the position and moves to Siam with her son Louis on the conditions that she be paid for her work and that she be given a house in which to live, to which the king agrees.

• Chef GERARD CRAFT’s latest restaurant, Pastaria, is scheduled to open later this summer in Clayton, but it’s already creating a national buzz: Food & Wine magazine lists the eatery in the Where To Go section of its July issue.
• The owners of the late Monarch Restaurant in Maplewood have announced the space will be converted into a private event venue. The catering division of Herbie’s Vintage 72, which is owned by the same folks, will supply the bang in the kitchen. The space measures about 10,000 square feet and can be configured for a variety of group sizes.
• The North City Farmer’s Market, located across from Crown Candy Kitchen, is offering cooking demonstrations in conjunction with Operation Food Search on the second Saturday of each month through October. OFS provides recipes and mans the stoves for the demos, and we’re told that local chefs may be stopping by throughout the season to help out. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and the demos take place starting at 10:30 a.m.
• EarthDance has purchased the Mueller Farm in Ferguson, the 14-acre spread the organization has been leasing since its inception in 2008. EarthDance not only grows food but educates new farmers through its nationally recognized Organic Farming Apprenticeship Program.
• We told you a while back about the expansion of Local Harvest Cafe & Catering into new spaces downtown and in Kirkwood. Well, Phase One is complete, with the downtown location in the Old Post Office building officially open. We also mentioned recently that Urban Chestnut Brewing Company was in the process of constructing an outdoor beer garden. We’re pleased to report that space debuted earlier this month.
• Anheuser-Busch is adding two new refill options and some new accessories to its Draftmark refillable home draught system. A-B fans can now get Michelob AmberBock and Shock Top Wheat IPA brews for the system, as well as a new cold gel wrap to keep the suds cold outside the fridge. A new tap stand is expected to hit stores in July.
• Sub Zero Vodka Bar not only has the largest selection of vodka in the country; it now serves lunch daily. The CWE favorite also boasts a new private event space and a remodeled sushi bar.
• The Cheese Shack is the latest food truck to hit the St. Louis scene. The bright yellow mobile eatery serves up custom grilled cheese creations. Keep track of them on Facebook to see where they’ll be offering up their cheesy wares next. Also, LuLus Local Eatery, which sports a rooftop garden on its truck, has been named one of the World’s Coolest Food Trucks Ever by The Daily Meal.

The Chase Park Plaza has announced KYLE LIPETZKY as its new executive chef. He’ll oversee all of the hotel’s restaurants (Eau Bistro and Café Eau), the catering division and outlets. Lipetzky previously held leadership positions at The Phoenician and Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort and Spa, both in Scottsdale, Ariz. 

• ERIC SCHLOSSER, author of the bestselling tome, Fast Food Nation, will be the guest of honor at an April 24 dinner held at Farmhaus. The five-course meal will be created by chef JOSH GALLIANO, of the recently shuttered Monarch. Proceeds from the event will benefit Slow Food St. Louis’ Small Farm Micro Biodiversity Grant, and reservations are limited to 45 guests. For tickets, go to brownpapertickets.com/event/235999.
• Five Star Burgers, the latest project from chef STEVE GONTRAM, will be opening this summer at 8125 Maryland Ave. in Clayton, in the same strip that includes Almond’s and Half and Half. Look for a menu chock-full of beef burgers, with turkey, lamb, bison and veggie versions as well. Gontram tells us all of his products will be all-natural and hormone-free. If all goes according to plan, the eatery should be open by July 4.
• Chef BRIAN HALE, late of the Chase Park Plaza, is the new director of culinary operations for Coastal Bistro & Bar, Bocci Bar and BARcelona Tapas, the trio of Clayton restaurants owned by the brother-and-sister team of FRANK SCHMITZ and ELISE SCHMITZ.
• Chef CARL HAZEL is leaving his longtime post running the kitchen at The Scottish Arms in the CWE and will be assuming the role of executive chef at Eleven Eleven Mississippi in Lafayette Square early next month.
• We’ve been told that chef GRACE DINSMOOR, who recently left Modesto, is now working in the kitchen at Franco in Soulard.
• Congratulations to chef GERARD CRAFT of Niche, who has made the cut to become a finalist for the James Beard Awards Best Chef: Midwest. This year’s winners will be announced Monday, May 7. Good luck Chef!
• In other culinary award news, ANDREY IVANOV of 33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar recently won the TopNewSomm Midwest regional finals sponsored by the Guild of Sommeliers. He’ll compete for the national title in San Fransisco in May. Congrats!
• More Easter brunch offerings to report: The Coronado Ballroom at 3701 Lindell Blvd. will be serving a menu that includes more than 100 selections, including a children’s buffet. The brunch will run from 10 a.m until 3 p.m with seatings every half-hour. Call 367-4848 ext. 100 for reservations. The Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is taking a creative twist on tradition with a Willy Wonka Easter Brunch. Each party will receive a Wonka Bar, and five of those bars will contain a golden ticket, good for one of five prizes, including the grand prize: an overnight stay in one of The Ritz’s club suites. The brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 719-1433 for reservations.

• Restaurateur ZOE PIDGEON, the force behind such popular eateries as Bobo Noodle House and I Fratellini, is planning a new project. Pidgeon has taken over the space across the street from I Fratellini, formerly the longtime home to Wydown Shoe Repair, and plans what she calls a petite cafe/bar with a French accent. The new eatery is still unnamed, but plans are currently in place for a summer opening.
• It’s already time to start planning that Easter brunch. Cafe Madeleine at the Piper Palm House in Tower Grove Park will be serving an array of locally inspired favorites on Easter Sunday, April 8, and will offer three seatings: 10 a.m. to noon; noon to 2 p.m.; and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 575-5658. At Vin de Set, chef IVY MAGRUDER and staff will be preparing some classic brunch dishes and some French fare, as well. Call 241-8989 for reservations and info. And Bixby’s in the Missouri History Museum will be featuring a varied brunch menu, a complimentary glass of Champagne, and as always, a grand view of Forest Park. Three seatings will be available for this brunch, as well: 10 a.m. to noon; noon to 2 p.m.; and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For reservations and info, call 361-7313 or visit online at bixbys-mohistory.com.
• Gastronomes who’re interested in getting an up-close view of what goes on in a professional kitchen can now dine at the chef’s table at Cielo in the Four Seasons. For $125 per person, diners get a five-course, wine-paired dinner prepared by chef FABRIZIO SCHENARDI, personal service from restaurant manager ALEC VAN MEIJEREN and a birds-eye view of all the behind-the-scenes action.
• Congrats to chef JOSH GALLIANO of the recently shuttered Monarch in Maplewood. He’s been named People’s Best New Chef-Midwest by Food & Wine Magazine. Another popular Maplewood chef, CASSY VIRES of Home Wine Kitchen, also was in the running.
• Oenophiles interested in exploring Missouri wine country can now download apps for their iPhone and Android devices, courtesy of the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. Links to the apps can be found at missouriwine.org. Old-schoolers also can download a hardcopy of the 2012 Missouri Wine brochure at the site, as well.

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• We received some really sad news for the St. Louis dining scene: Monarch in Maplewood will be closing its doors after a nine-year run, with its last day of service on Sunday, March 11. Owners JEFF ORBIN and AARON TEITELBAUM cited the weak economy, the prevalence of “discount dining deal programs” and the large size of the venue as some of the main reasons for the closure. The duo have announced plans to open another concept this fall. We’ll keep you posted.
• MICHAEL DEL PIETRO’S latest restaurant, Tavolo V, is on track to open at the end of this month at 6120 Delmar Blvd. in the U. City Loop.
• We recently got word that Tony’s, Cielo and Giovanni’s On the Hill have all been awarded the 2012 AAA Four Diamond Award. Well done!
• JOHN GRIFFITHS, executive chef at Truffles in Ladue, will be heading to NYC to cook at the James Beard House in June. Griffiths will be preparing a six-course dinner inspired by his journey as a chef for James Beard Foundation members and the media. Congrats!
• Two of the city’s best chefs recently got national exposure: GERARD CRAFT of Niche and WES JOHNSON of Salt were both featured on the TODAY Show, where they did cooking demos. Craft appeared Feb. 27, while Johnson took his turn Feb. 29. Way to represent the Lou!
• Popular wine and gourmet food shop Parker’s Table, which closed its location in the CWE in 2009, has reopened in Richmond Heights at 7118 Oakland Ave., behind the Tip Top Cleaners.
• The 17th annual St. Louis Microfest will be taking place Friday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, at the Upper Muny parking lot in Forest Park. Some 80 craft beers and 50 international brews will be available for sampling. Proceeds from the event benefit Lift For Life Gym. Tickets and more info can be had at stlmicrofest.org.
• One of our town’s premier java purveyors, Goshen Coffee in Edwardsville, has a new owner. JAY BEARD recently purchased Goshen from founder MATT HERREN, who will continue to be involved in the company.
• The folks at Stone Soup Cottage in Cottleville have released the March and April class schedule for the successful ‘Cooking at the Cottage’ group classes offered at the restaurant. The classes are centered around recipes featured in the cookbook authored by owners CARL and NANCY MCCONNELL, Stone Soup Cottage: A Vignette of Seasonal Recipes. Get the full class schedule at stonesoupcottage.com.

Once again, St. Louis has been recognized nationally for its culinary prowess. Chefs KEVIN NASHAN of Sidney Street Cafe; GERARD CRAFT of Niche; KEVIN WILLMANN of Farmhaus and JOSH GALLIANO of Monarch all have been named semi-finalists in the Best Chef: Midwest category of the 2012 James Beard Awards. And chef WES JOHNSON’s Salt in the CWE, which opened just last spring, is a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant. Good luck to all!

When twin boys (Jack and Matt, now age 11) came along for Julie and Jeff Brooks, the new mom and dad decided it was time to head west in search of a larger home and outdoor play space for their growing family. And it’s a good thing they did, because two years later, the Brookses welcomed Ben, now 9, to their family.

◆ Chef BRIAN HARDESTY, who took over the kitchen at Nosh a few weeks ago, has announced he’s dropping the Nosh name in favor of Root. The name is reflective of the new culinary direction Hardesty is pursuing: original takes on classic American cuisine that span the years from the founding of the country until roughly the Great Depression era. Hardesty says to expect lots of game, roasted meat and whole fish preparations. The restaurant (co-located with Starr’s in Richmond Heights) is closed during the transformation, and is scheduled to open for business on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

◆Chef JOHN GRIFFITHS of Truffles is bringing together a veritable who’s-who of local culinary talent for a great cause. Just Like Mom Used To Make will be held Nov. 2 at Truffles, and feature GERARD CRAFT and ADAM ALTNETHER of Taste By Niche; JOSH GALLIANO of Monarch; WES JOHNSON of Salt; BEN POREMBA of Salume Beddu; and KEVIN WILLMANN of Farmhaus. The chefs will be creating a six-course meal of foods inspired by their childhoods, paired with wines by Truffles’ wine director ALEKSANDER JOVANOVIC. Proceeds benefit the ALS Association and Hope Happens. For more info, or to purchase tickets, call 567-9100.

Meet me at…THE MUNY has announced its lineup for its 94th season, the first under new executive producer MIKE ISAACSON. The 2012 season will feature four musicals new to the Muny stage, as well as several ‘reimagined’ classics, including Chicago, Disney’s Aladdin, Dreamgirls, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The King and I, Pirates! and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

◆Mosaic Market Bistro in Clayton is now Coastal Bistro & Bar. The revamped restaurant is still owned by the Schmitz family but now features a raw bar with oysters, crab legs, seafood towers and shrimp cocktails, among other items. The eatery also offers some local country menu items and has both large- and small-plate options. Co-owner FRANK SCHMITZ tells us the changes were made to differentiate the restaurant from the other Mosaics, including the upcoming Des Peres location.

◆Sad news for fans of fine Italian food. Longtime favorite Del Pietro’s House of Pasta will be closing its doors this month. Owner MARY ROSE DEL PIETRO, who opened the restaurant 35 years ago with her late husband, MICHAEL, says the time has come to retire and spend some time with her family. The final service will be Aug. 27, but the space won’t be vacant long. MATHEW UNGER, executive chef at the Missouri Athletic Club West, will be opening his new restaurant, Mathew’s Kitchen, at the location on Oct. 1.

◆ In an effort to give back to the community, Monarch Restaurant will be donating 10 percent of its food and beverage sales every Tuesday night to a local charity. Owners JEFF ORBIN and AARON TEITELBAUM hope the initiative gets folks out to support the local economy, as well as help out a worthy cause. You can find a list of dates and charities at monarchrestaurant.com.

1508 Greening Lane

St. Louis may not be considered a food mecca, but its culinary recognition is moving beyond just toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake. We asked local foodies for their dining tips, and the variety of answers showcases all that St. Louis has to offer.

>  According to its Facebook page, longtime Loop favorite Brandt’s Cafe has shuttered, and Clayton eatery The Fatted Calf has announced it’ll be closing its doors at the end of the month. Meanwhile, another Loop restaurant, Ranoush, is expanding. The popular purveyor of Syrian cuisine is opening a second location this month at 200 N. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood.