Table Talk: September 27–October 3

It’s Now or Never

This is it, everybody. We’re in the final stretch. You only have four more days to cast your vote in the 2023 Best of 417 Reader’s Choice Awards. The ballot asks you about the best places to eat and drink in 417-land, and we really want to hear your opinion! The winners will be tallied after the contest closes on September 30, and they’ll be announced in the February 2023 issue of 417 Magazine. So what are you waiting for? Read this blog, and then go vote!

Flavors on the Half Shell

Big news for seafood fans! Vantage Rooftop Lounge & Conservatory at Hotel Vandivort has rolled out a new menu from Executive Chef Calvin Davis, and it’s packed with delectable seafood offerings. There’s a raw bar serving raw oysters, chilled shrimp, scallop ceviche and poached snow crab legs. We’re especially excited to try that scallop ceviche, which is made with Fresno chilis, watermelon radish and scallions. You can still get other delicious shareables on the menu here as well, like charcuterie boards, daily special chips and dips, a pork rillette tartine and more.

Menu Switcheroos

Speaking of menu updates, Ramata Italian just released their new fall menu. Among the menu additions are new $12 lunch combo specials that let you choose two items from a list of soups, salads and sandwiches—like the pastrami reuben on rye with grain mustard, sauerkraut and Swiss. And on the regular menu, there are several new items we’re dying to try, like the breaded mozzarella appetizer, a cucumber caprese salad, the fra diavolo pasta with sauteed shrimp and veggies in a spicy tomato burgundy cream sauce, seared halibut in a lemon-butter sauce with risotto, and more.

Progress has released a new fall menu as well, and it’s bursting with seasonal produce creatively prepared. We are absolutely dreaming about the butternut squash salad made with poached squash, mulled apples, pumpernickel crisp, chevre foam, chili pepitas and more—truly, so many flavors! The grilled mushrooms with sourdough shoyu and mustard greens look incredible too. And, as always, there’s a carrot dish. This one includes pickled figs and a candied almond dukkah with brown butter poached carrots. Yum! And those are just the veggies. Look for Icelandic cod’s reappearance on the menu as well, this time with a parsnip and apple puree, roasted celery root and more.

ICYMI: Itty Bitty News Bites

• One of our favorite savory breakfast treats is back again at European Cafe! They’ve added the ham and cheese croissants back onto the menu, and they are wonderful. Perfect pastry surrounds Gruyere cheese and ham from Circle B Ranch. They are just so good!

• If you’ve driven down Campbell Avenue lately, you may have noticed that something new is going into the spot that was long occupied by DiGiacinto Italian Restaurant. Sam’s Southern Eatery has opened a second Springfield location in that spot at 2259 S. Campbell Avenue. (The first Sam’s is at 1631 N. Glenstone Ave.) Sam’s serves po’ boy sandwiches, gumbo, tamales, grilled or fried fish, fried pies and more. Oh, and one of our favorite southern flavors: fried green tomatoes!

• Developmental Center of the Ozarks (DCO) is hosting their annual Wine & Whiskey Walk this Friday, September 30. It takes place at Farmers Park from 6–9 p.m. and includes a Riedel crystal wine glass along with your ticket. Guests get to enjoy wine and whiskey (of course) along with tasty eats and live music—and the proceeds go to DCO to help local children and adults with developmental disabilities and delays.

• Also this weekend: 417 Cocktails is having a Grand Opening Bash on Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bonus: Partygoers who bring a donation of warm socks for the unhoused population or dog or cat food for CARE animal rescue are entered to win a $100 gift certificate to 417 Cocktails. On Friday from 3–6 p.m., before the grand opening bash, the store is hosting a pre-party pop-up shop from Lala Links Jewelry. Saturday pop-ups include B&T Baklava, 417 Devour and Flora & Forge.