Table Talk: August 15–21

A Surprise Announcement from Aviary!

Aviary by Lavender Falls (2144 E. Republic Rd.) has been keeping a secret. Owners Thor and Catherine Bersted have been hard at work on a new concept named Amici, which means friends in Italian. The modern Italian eatery is already on track to open before the end of this month, and we can hardly wait! The Bersteds haven’t released details on the menu yet, but judging by the Italian dishes we’ve tried at Aviary like the Tuscan chicken with penne pasta, we can tell it’s going to be good. Stay tuned for details on the location and opening day, and be sure to follow us on Instagram at @417Mag for a sneak peek of Amici’s menu and space.

Thai Express Fans: Meet Simply Thai

Thai Express has also been up to some behind-the-scenes work on a second business! According to a sign posted up at its future location, Simply Thai (2808 S. Campbell Ave.) has a target opening date of this September. Much like Thai Express, the menu will be a blend of Thai and Chinese offerings, but completely different. As far as the fried chicken goes, you can expect tried-and-true dishes like cashew and sweet-and-sour but also some more unique additions like peanut and lemon. Thai curry, stir fry and wok bowls will all have their place on the menu, along with red and green Thai milk tea. We don’t know about you, but we’re getting hungry just thinking about it.

Peachy Keen Dishes

Peach season already reached its peak here in the Ozarks, but there is still plenty of time to partake in this fruit’s prime when you’re out and about. Allow us to point you in the direction of some delicious treats that feature peach as the key ingredient:

• L. Francine's Famous Peach Cobbler from Queen City Soul Kitchen (multiple locations) is available year-round, but it just hits differently when the peaches are in season on a hot August day.
• The Peaches & Cream Short Cake is a made-from-scratch, melt-in-your-mouth dessert from The Ozark Mill (802 Finley Farms Ln., Ozark). The star of this dish is the peach & crème fraîche ice cream, which the homemade buttermilk biscuit perfectly complements. Look for this seasonal dessert on the restaurant’s market menu.
• This week is going to be a balmy one, so we suggest cooling off with the White Peach Sangria from Dublin’s Pass (multiple locations). This drink features peach and rosemary Vodka and fresh fruit and juices, while champagne adds a bubbly touch. 🍑

Go Greek

Celebrate Greek culture with traditional food and entertainment at Greek Belly’s My Big Fat Greek Night. The evening includes a special coursed menu and belly dancer performances. Email or call 417-597-3382 for reservations and check out their Facebook post for event details.