Openings

Dave Caito has added a second Caito’s Sicilian Restaurant and Pizzeria in the suburb of Glendale, with “spinjuine pizza” a specialty and a “pizza cookie” for dessert. Lunch and dinner is served daily. Caito has an existing location in Chesterfield. Caito’s Sicilian Restaurant and Pizzeria, 10012 Manchester Blvd., 314-966-8900.
                       
The Hanons–Patrick, Patrick Jr. and David–have opened The Plaza Bar and Grill in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Clayton, using the space formerly inhabited by Max’s. James Avalos, most recently chef at their Bevo Mill in South St. Louis, will run the kitchen, and the dining room features 25 flat-screen television sets for the sports crowd. The Plaza Bar and Grill, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet Ave., 314-726-5400.

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The Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center has been a North St. Louis haven for underprivileged children for more than a century. With a dining and catering service that has expanded in recent years, it has taken over food service in the cafeteria in City Hall, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as the Annie M. Café.
                       
Flaco’s Cucina–named as a tribute to the well-loved and long-departed Flaco’s Tacos, which brought fish tacos to St. Louis–has opened in University City. The restaurant is owned by Mazier Noonan, who also is a part owner of Momo’s.  Flaco’s offers fish tacos with tilapia, salmon or mahi mahi, as well as other dishes with an emphasis on Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. and dinner on Sun. Flaco’s Cucina, 8400 Delmar Blvd., 314-395-4343.
                       
New in the Central West End is Pickles Deli, serving a variety of delicatessen sandwiches for lunch, including New York specialties like pastrami and corned beef. Breakfast and late-afternoon snacks also are available. Pickles Deli, 22 N. Euclid Ave., 314-361-3095.

Chef Shuffle

Timothy Grandinetti, executive chef at the Renaissance Grand Hotel, has resigned to explore other opportunities, probably in the east. He had been with Marriott in Washington, D.C., before moving to the Midwest four years ago. Tim Jansen has been promoted to succeed him at the downtown hotel.

News Bytes

Sweet Sequel
Owner Stephen Becker, whose Nadoz Euro Bakery + Café is a Midtown breakfast-lunch-dessert destination in the Coronado Hotel, will open a second sweet spot in The Boulevard of Richmond Heights, an upscale restaurant-retail complex across the street from the Galleria. Patrick Theriot will handle the pastry chef duties at both locations.

Meal Deal at Duff’s
Duff’s Restaurant, celebrating its 35th anniversary in the Central West End, is adding a prix fixe menu to its selections. The $25 meal will include an appetizer or salad, entree and dessert. Duff’s Restaurant, 392 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, 314-361-0522.

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Mineo’s Offers Lunch
John Mineo, who will mark 35 years in his West County location next year, has re-decorated his bar area and dubbed it Mineo’s for Lunch, with gourmet pizzas, tapas and other lighter fare. John Mineo’s Restaurant, 13490 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, 314-434-5244.

Closings

With present and incipient highway construction tossing a major roadblock in front of St. Louis drivers, the local restaurant business is feeling the first wave of real difficulties. Red Moon, a Downtown bright spot for several years; Melange in the Central West End; and Crossings in Webster Groves all closed during the summer.

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