Photo by Tessa Cooper
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Table Talk
Table Talk
Read all about what's happening with the food scene in Springfield in this week's Table Talk.
by Tessa Cooper
Nov 19 2024 at 8 a.m.
Coffee is Brewing at Brown Derby
We mentioned a few weeks ago that the Derby Deli (2023 S. Glenstone Ave.) crew has been working hard to bring us a new offering: Coffee service. The coffee counter is now officially open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. We checked it out this past Friday, and we must say it’s a beautiful addition to the Brown Derby Wine Center. It shows off gorgeous shelving, a shiny La Marzocco espresso machine and a well-stocked pastry case. On the coffee side of things, they source their beans from Foxen Coffee, a family-owned roastery based in Monett, and their syrups from Pink House Alchemy in Northwest Arkansas. Also, you should definitely come with a sweet tooth because they serve pastries by Buttermilk in addition to their typical cakes by St.Michael's Restaurant and Catering, plus their baked-in house cookies and croissants. Or, simply end your meal at the Derby Deli with a shot of espresso. Owners Jennifer and Brad Feuerbacher were inspired to add coffee to the Derby Deli based on their trips to the south of France, where markets also house cafés. “We wanted to provide Springfield with bits of the French lifestyle,” Jennifer says.
New Mexican Eats in Ozark
La Casita Mexican Cuisine (750 N. 18th St., Ozark) is the newest restaurant to join the Ozark dining scene, so it’s the perfect place to appease any of your taco Tuesday cravings tonight. It officially opened this past Friday and has been very well-received, judging by some reviews that have already poured in and the bustling nature of the joint. Owner Sergio Ruíz is the force behind the new concept, and he’s also who brought us both Casa Bella Mexican Cuisine locations in Springfield. The menu is pretty similar to what you’ll find at Casa Bella, but Ruíz tells us the Quesadilla de Birria, chicken and Spinach enchiladas and Burrito Poblano have all been extra big hits there. 🌮
A Holly Jolly Pop-Up
J.O.B. Public House (319 E. Walnut, Springfield) has transformed its adjoining space (the former Prime Time ping pong bar) into a winter wonderland. They held a soft opening for the Christmas pop-up bar, J.Ho.Ho.B., this past weekend, but it’s officially open to the public this Thursday, November 21. Just a few minutes inside will get you in the Christmas spirit. We’re talking loads of Christmas lights, full-sized Christmas trees hanging upside down from the ceilings and wrapping paper covering so many surfaces. And as far as festive cocktails go, they’ve really delivered, with five on-theme drinks. Judging by the description of Lite on the Butter, it sounds like the creamiest, most decadent take on a hot buttered rum with ingredients like Bumbu Crème and spiced compound butter. We’ll be sending one of our staffers to go check it out soon, so keep an eye on our socials. ❄️
Other Tasty Reasons to Head Downtown
The downtown Christmas tree lighting is this weekend! Aside from the Christmas pop-up bar at J.O.B., there are some other delicious ways to enjoy downtown Springfield.
• The European is hosting a fun shindig in light of the Christmas tree lighting. This reservation-only event costs $45, and your ticket comes with holiday-themed charcuterie, signature European mini desserts, and your choice of Belgian hot chocolate or a house-crafted cocktail. It sounds like such an idyllic way to watch the tree come aglow.
• Have a little Christmas in July moment and order a Pineapple Whip slushie from the walk-up stand at the newly re-opened College Station Theater.
• Get some of your Christmas shopping done a little early, and then treat yourself to lunch at Zayka Indian Cuisine. They just brought back their lunch buffet service after a very long hiatus, and it’s available every Friday through Sunday.
Table Talk: November 12–18
Goodbye Box Turtle, Hello Buttermilk
Sadly, Box Turtle Creamery (1458 E. Cherry St., Springfield) just announced plans to close up shop, effective immediately. But this change comes with a silver lining. Kyle Davis of Buttermilk
is transitioning his business from a cottage bakery business model to
focus on wholesale orders and will be using the former Box Turtle
walk-up window to sling out his decadent ice cream. He’s using this
winter to work on recipe development and expanding his wholesale
operations, and the ice cream stand will open in April. He tells us to
expect all the classic flavors, like chocolate and vanilla, but also
some rotating whimsical flavors. For example, he recently whipped up a
batch of Espressola, which showed off espresso ice cream and cola gel.
If you want to try any of Davis’ confections before opening day, you can
visit The Royal, Cherry Picker Package x Fare, Supper Club at Good Spirits & Company HQ. They will also be coming soon to Derby Deli’s coffee counter that is in the works (more on that later). Oh, and one last thing! In the meantime, La Mère Bakery
will still be using the space and offering sourdough loaves, Askinosie
chocolate chip cookies, pizza crust and granola, and the two businesses
still plan on sharing the space.
New Eats in Ozark
Downtown Ozark is such a picturesque place to be during the holidays, and it recently became even more charming. Lolli's off the Square (206 N. 1st St, Ozark)
is the newest addition to the area, and this eatery looks like the
perfect lunch stop for soup, salads, sandwiches and barbeque. Lolli’s a
sister business to Pop's Smoke Shack in Branson West,
and both businesses are named after what the owner’s grandkids call
them (how cute!). If you’re a Pop’s fan, you’ll be happy to know that
Lolli’s serves brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. We’re personally
excited to try the build-your-own sandwich option or one of the daily
off-menu specials.
Congrats to a C-Street Food Ambassador
Commercial Street would look a whole lot different if it weren’t for the hard work of Joseph Gidman, owner of Van Gogh’s Eeterie, Café Cusco and Chabom Tea & Spices.
That’s why The Missouri Division of Tourism just honored Gidman with
the Tracy Kimberlin Hospitality Award at the Missouri Governor's
Conference on Tourism October 15–17 in Kansas City. His plans for
C-Street are ever-evolving. Right now, he’s got a new culinary project
up his sleeve at 300 E. Commercial,
which is the site where construction crews uncovered a hidden
underground cellar back in 2017. He’s not ready to share details quite
yet, but it is on track to open in March 2025. We’ll admit that we’ve
been peeking in the windows and monitoring the progress each time we
visit the historic district, and the inside is already looking
beautiful.
