Food & Drink

Hannah Hawkins shows a vanilla chai old fashioned

A Cozy Sip Perfect for Fall

Photos by L.G. Patterson When the temperature begins to drop and a cozy sweater won’t do the trick, Park’s signature vanilla chai old fashioned is bound to warm you up. This variation on a traditional old fashioned elevates the classic with notes of cinnamon and cardamom, as well as a hint of sweetness from the vanilla. […]

Barbie drink margarita casa maria's

Casa Maria’s Releases Barbie Pink Drink

Casa Maria’s Mexican Cantina is celebrating the Barbie movie coming to theaters with the perfect pink drink. Last week, Casa Maria’s posted on Instagram describing the new Barbie Dreams margarita. The Barbie drink is hand-crafted with Patron Reposado, fresh lime juice, agave, club soda and house-made dragon fruit puree to achieve the perfect pink color. […]

Pesto

Personalize Your Pesto for A New Experience

Photos by L.G. Patterson I love basil and pesto, but I don’t always enjoy growing basil. I look forward to spring to have fresh basil leaves to use for caprese salad, topping on pizza or tossing into pasta. But I don’t look forward to the time of year when it starts to bolt to seed […]

Caprese dip

Try This Savory, Fresh Summer Dip

Photos by L.G. Patterson In my life, I’ve been lucky enough to have great cooks to inspire and teach me. My mother was a fantastic cook who taught me to make a consistently good roast. I’ve got a tremendously talented brother-in-law who treats me to cioppino — fresh seafood stew — each summer, and believe me, […]

My Sweet Parlor owner

New Shop Downtown Offers More Than Just Treats

Photos by L.G. Patterson Summer is the perfect time for a refreshing sweet treat. Whether you need something to cool you off or pick you up, sometimes nothing hits the spot quite like a tasty indulgence. For those looking for something different, My Sweet Parlor, a new Asian dessert shop in downtown Columbia, aims to […]

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Get a Taste of the Tropics

Photos by L.G. Patterson We knew from the start that frozen drinks had to be a part of the bar program at Irene’s. Austin, Texas, was a huge inspiration for us and anyone who has been there knows thatthe frozen cocktail reigns just as high as tattoos, tech startups and barbecue. But for me, this […]

Live fire cooking

Take Your Next Cooking Experience Outside

Photos by L.G. Patterson Sometimes you need more variety than what’s offered by cooking on the four-burner range in your kitchen. With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s finally appropriate to cook outside and you can use a fire pit or barbecue to liven up your cooking experience. No matter the menu, you just have […]

Broccoli salad with berries and poppy seeds

A Patio Perfect Recipe

Photos by L.G. Patterson A few days ago, I was enjoying the early spring weather, walking our family dog, Brady, and wondering how soon we may be able to have dinner on the deck. I love al fresco dining. It takes the most ordinary food and makes it feel like a celebration. Snacks and drinks? […]

DiningOut Belly market

Local Market and Rotisserie Takes Over Columbia Staple

Photo by L.G. Patterson Food is part of so many traditions. It helps us celebrate love and loss, and fills your belly with comfort after a long day. That’s the goal of Belly Market & Rotisserie in south Columbia. Benjamin Hamrah and Amanda Elliot, co-owners of Belly Market, created a one-stop-shop for people to enjoy […]

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How to Make a Delightful Springtime Sip

Photos by L.G. Patterson  When the days get warmer, I crave a patio cocktail. This season, I’m switching things up atBarred Owl by adding “The Kuro Neko” to the cocktail menu. Translating to “The Black Cat,” I start by adding mezcal and sherry to one of my favorite Japanese spirits, Nikka gin. “The Kuro Neko” […]

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A-Frame Outdoor Winegarden to Reopen For Spring

Warm weekends at the A-Frame Outdoor Winegarden are right around the corner. According to a post on social media, The A-Frame will open for the spring from noon to sunset starting Friday. Throughout March, the A-Frame will be open Friday-Sunday, weather permitting. The A-Frame offers nice views, small bites, wine and more as part of […]

A Trek Through The Coffee Scene

Photos by L.G. Patterson Some days, we all could use an extra boost. For those of us who crave caffeine, there are moments where nothing can beat that perfect cup, whether it’s coffee, espresso or tea. And there’s plenty of options when it comes to where to enjoy that satisfying sip, each with its own […]

Brook Harlan makes tiramisu

Learn to Make a Terrific Tiramisu

Photos by L.G. Patterson There is nothing quite like a tiramisu for a nice kick, or “pick me up,” which is the actual translation of tiramisu, at the end of a meal. You get a nice jolt from the coffee while enjoying the creaminess of the mascarpone, all held together by ladyfingers. Without the ladyfingers, there […]

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Delia’s Mexican Grill to Open a New Location on Stadium

Delia’s Mexican Grill is expanding in Columbia. Owner Delia Garcia says the new location will be very different than the existing spot downtown, right down to the food. “Delia’s on Stadium will have different décor and a different menu,” she says, noting the new spot’s official name as Delia’s on Stadium. Garcia says the goal […]

Cocktail The Roof

Signature Sunset Drink Evokes Tropical Vibe

Photos by L.G. Patterson Get ready to be transported to a tropical euphoria, without ever having to leave Columbia. One of the best parts of visiting The Roof is obviously the view, especially at sunset. And while there may still be a little chill in the air as we head into spring, I’m already preparing […]

Fougere food

Dinner Made Easy

Photos by L.G. Patterson A few years ago, by necessity, we pivoted from a traditional catering business to a new venture, preparing family meals on a weekly basis. Our emphasis was to make easy meals that were a hit with the whole family, trying a lot of new recipes in the process and meeting a […]

Dining Out - Irenes

Local Pop-Up Finds Permanent Placement

Photos by L.G. Patterson Editor’s note: This article was updated in April 2023 with new information on Irene’s.  Mid-Missourians are no strangers to barbecue — it practically runs in our veins. And soon, there will be a new place filled with smoky smells, hearty flavors and smiling faces. What was once an occasional pop-up has […]

Kimber caffeine

How to Get the Most from Your Morning Jolt

Photos by L.G. Patterson At 15, I started my first real culinary job working for Starbucks in Sonoma County, California. Over the next three years, I worked at several locations around my hometown until I went off to San Francisco for culinary school. I loved working at Starbucks! All the delicious drinks, holiday specials, kind […]

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Play Bingo With Beer at Shiloh Bar & Grill

Head to Shiloh Bar & Grill tonight for Bingo Wednesday. Enjoy games and drink deals from 8-10 p.m. at Shiloh including $2 Soco Lime Shots, $2 Busch Light Bottles, $3 Sour patch Bombs and more. Shiloh is located in downtown Columbia at 402 E. Broadway. This is a weekly event at Shiloh, so if you […]

Christmas margarita

Casa Maria’s Launches New Christmas Cocktails

Casa Maria’s Mexican Cantina is kicking off the holiday season with festive handcrafted holiday cocktails. Try the new top shelf mistletoe margarita, the Grinch, Christmas punch or Cinnamon Toast Crunch shot. The top shelf mistletoe margarita has tequila, Grand Mariner, cranberry juice, agave, a sugar rim and includes sugared cranberries. The Grinch is a vodka […]