Rob Connoley from Squatters Café
This month Grand Center Arts District welcomes James Beard nominated chef Rob Connoley’s newest venture, Squatters Café located in KDHX on Washington Blvd. Rob was born and raised in St Louis before his career took him to the southwest where he opened The Curious Kumquat, garnering a James Beard nomination for Best Chef. Rob returned to St Louis last year and chose Grand Center Arts District because “it has the right aesthetic and charm and is full of architectural gems.”
Rob’s food is a lot like KDHX’s mix of music – eclectic but rooted in tradition and soul. As Rob’s college tuition was partially paid for by working as a DJ in a New Orleans community radio station, his return to St. Louis is a homecoming in more ways than one. He says, “I love the mishmash of DJ’s at KDHX and how they expose listeners to things they may not have heard before. I hope to do the same with my food.”
Serving breakfast and lunch, Rob will be milling his own grains and processing his own meat. Coffee will be offered from local fair trade roaster Goshen. Rob suggests his must-have menu offering is the duck confit hash for breakfast and the vegetable root ‘marrow’ for lunch. For those short on time you can grab-and-go with his delectable chocolate chip cookies.
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See Rob’s Five Favorite Things
- My favorite aspect of Grand Center Arts District are the architectural gems. It’s the small unexpected details that I love the most.
- Strauss Park – It’s a beautiful outdoor area that is perfect for eating lunch and people watching.
- The MOTO Museum – I love the passion of the obsessive! The motorcycles on show are a really interesting way to record the past.
- Sweetie Pies – I love the food at Sweetie Pies, the meat loaf is my absolute favorite.
- The Stage at KDHX – I try to catch local bands at The Stage as often as I can. The eclectic variety of sounds on offer feeds my musical soul.
Photo credit: Michelle Volansky, Sauce Magazine