Valentine’s Day 2013 at Robust Wine Bar

Posted on by

Valentine’s Day menu available at both locations from Thursday, Feb. 14 through Saturday, Feb. 16.  Regular menu also available. $50 per person includes wine pairings.

Valentine’s Day 2013 Tasting Menu

Choose a food wine pairing from each course, paired with 3 oz. wine:

FIRST COURSE

Lobster Bisque ~ Classic Lobster Bisque, Garnished with Lobster Claw
NV Baron de Bréban Brut Rosé, Grenache—Provence, France

Greek Spinach ~ Baby Spinach, Feta Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers, Kalamata Olives, and Garlic Croutons tossed in Oregano-Red Wine Vinaigrette
2011 Arindo, Verdejo—Rueda, Spain

SECOND COURSE

Roasted Artic Char ~ French Green Lentils, Snap Peas, & Dijon-Vin Blanc Reduction
2009 Thevenet et Fils, Chardonnay—Mâcon-Pierreclos, Burgundy, France

“Surf & Turf” ~ Sous Vide Pork Belly & Sea Scallops, Cauliflower Puree,
Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Maple Brown Butter
2009 Becker, Pinot Noir—Pfalz, Germany

Parisian Steak ~ Hanger Steak, Potatoes Au Gratin, Frisée Greens, Sauce Bordelaise
2004 Château Bois Pertuis, Merlot Blend—Bordeaux, France

DESSERT COURSE

Salted Caramel Pot de Crème with Dulce de Leche Whipped Cream
NV Vinchio-Vaglia Serra “La Romantica”, Moscato—Piedmont, Italy

Molten Lava Cake with Orange Ice Cream
NV Smith Woodhouse, Lodge Reserve, Port

Modern Love — An Evening with Robust MX + Dwell Nine Twelve B&B + MX Movies!

Posted on by

Treat someone special to an evening of Modern Love as you enjoy a chef’s tasting menu at Robust in the recently renovated MX building downtown. Then, catch a movie at MX Movies (two passed included), and finish it all off with an overnight experience at Saint Louis’ only modern bed and breakfast, Dwell 912.

Purchase your package through the end of February 2013.
Schedule to stay through the end of May 2013.

Cost: $275 per couple + tax & gratuity
Contact: info@dwell912.com or call 314.599.3100 to reserve

Your urban experience includes:

  • 3 course Chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings for two at Robust MX
  • An overnight experience at Dwell 912, voted best B&B 2012.
  • An in-room ‘Bubbles & Truffles’ basket compliments of Robust Wine Bar.

Contact: info@dwell912.com or call 314.599.3100 to reserve

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Wine and Chocolate

Posted on by

Wine and Chocolate lovers unite! Celebrate the holiday that celebrates love with the perfect pair: Wine and Chocolate.

Ginger, Bacon, Blue Cheese, Wine Grapes, Lavandar, Cayenne Pepper, and Sea Salt – there are a myriad of ingredients that are inspiring the palates of today’s chocolate producers.  We are fortunate to have some great local chocolatiers in the St. Louis area with a tremendous amount of passion and creativity that goes above and beyond traditional chocolate making.

Here are a list of some of our favorites:

Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier
Café Cioccolato
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company
Companion Bakery
Kakao Chocolate
Little Dipper Chocolate 
Oh Sheila! Chocolates
The Chocolate Affair 

Be sure to check out Stanley’s latest article in Ladue News, The Wine Life: Wine and Chocolate for some great do-it-yourself chocolate and wine pairing tips.

Inspire your desire with the perfect pair: Wine and Chocolate. Just remember Valentine’s Day is a celebration of ‘Love’ so if your plans this year do not include a partner in crime, take the time to love yourself, please your own palate and indulge in the beauty of wine and chocolate.

And if you need any help with choosing the perfect wine, we’re always here to help. ;)

Cheers and Love,

Arlene

 

 

Sip and Savor in The City: Supporting our Community and New City School

Posted on by

More than five years ago, when Stanley and I opened Robust in Webster Groves, we made a commitment, not only to building a business for ourselves and our family, but also to supporting the community in which we live, work and play everyday.

Our commitment continues with the new opening of Robust Downtown at The MX. We believe that St. Louis City is the backbone of our community and along with the development of The MX, we hope to support and secure the revitalization of Downtown St. Louis.

We also have a strong belief that education is the key to economic freedom and we have supported many schools and educational programs in the past, in the true confidence we are investing in the future of our children, as a whole.  We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge our support of the community of families and education we have become a part of at New City School. Our family has greatly benefited from the education, guiding principles, and friends of New City School and for this, we are forever grateful.  More than 35% of the families at New City are scholarship beneficiaries, and because we believe that is part of the school’s overall appeal, we want to ensure that this remains an essential of what the school has to offer for all families who need it.

Please join us on the evening of February 7, for Sip and Savor in The City, at our new Downtown at The MX location, 635 Washington Ave. A portion of the proceeds will benefit New City School. Reservations are available from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

(Valet Parking is $3 at The Embassy Suites entrance on 7th Street; let them know you are coming to Robust.) 

To make reservations please call 314.287.6300 or Online. 

We hope you will join us in our commitment.

Stanley and Arlene Browne

 

Make It A Robust New Year!

Posted on by

Make it a Robust New Year! at one of two Robust locations: WEBSTER GROVES or DOWNTOWN at the MX

Special Prix Fixe
4-Course Tasting Menus
Four tasting plates paired with four wines (regular menu also available)

6-8:30 pm seating
Dinner only ~ $50 per person

9pm-Close seating
$70 per person ~ includes live entertainment and champagne toast at midnight

After 9pm
Listen and dance to live entertainment and join us for a champagne toast at midnight ~ $15 cover plus regular menu available

New Year’s Eve Live Entertainment

WEBSTER GROVES
227 W. Lockwood

WHISKEY MORNING ~ a rockin’ country band with a classic sound, killer harmonies and good, old fashioned twang.
Dave Hinson, Suzy Bacino, Ross Bell, Don Drewett, Bob Lawder

DOWNTOWN AT THE MX 
635 Washington Ave.

EmCee/DJ REGGIE ~ Dance the night away with EmCee/DJ REGGIE (The One and Only)
Pure Entertainment Company
You know him and you LOVE him!

For more information:
Please contact us 314.963.0033 email info@robustwinebar.com

Top off the Night with a Sensational Sipper: Port

Posted on by

There is a nip in the air and the holiday season in full swing. What’s the best way to top-off your night? Try a Port.

Stanley Browne, writes about the Port experience in his latest Ladue News article, Port: The Quintessential Night Sipper.

At our home, we honor the British tradition of purchasing vintage Port the year each of our children were born. We hope to someday open a bottle and share a glass with them, in celebration of their 21st Birthdays.

So the next time you sit in front of a relaxing fire or you are out with friends for a night cap, think about choosing a Port. It’s a classic alternative to the latest trendy cocktails.

I still believe we all should celebrate life more often. Why not celebrate with Port?

Enjoy the season. Cheers!

Arlene Maminta Browne

 

 

 

Let’s Talk Turkey: What wines will you be pairing with your Thanksgiving meal?

Posted on by

We love Thanksgiving. With food, family, friends, it is the perfect celebration for giving thanks and celebrating life. And don’t forget about the wine!

With a traditional Thanksgiving feast there are a lot of flavors that you will encounter – succulent roast and smoked meats, cranberries, brussel sprouts, sweet yams, and gorgeous gravy. The list is endless and Robust Owner/Certified Sommelier Stanley Browne and Wine & Spirits Curator Lauren Blake have chosen a few wines that they think will complement a Turkey Day Dinner.

Let’s Talk Turkey with Stanley Browne and Lauren Blake ( video)

2011 Jean-Paul Brun “Terres Dorees”, Gamay, Beaujolais ~ $18
2011 Steele “Writer’s Block”, Rousanne, Lake County, CA ~ $16
2010 Shooting Star “Blue Franc”, Blaufrankisch, Washington State ~ $15
2009 Leitz, Reisling, Rudensheimer Magdalenenkreuz Spatlese, Germany ~ $23

So don’t let that turkey get you down! All of these wines are available at the Shoppe at Robust and there are many others you can choose; our staff is happy to assist you.

These are just a few suggestions, but like I said, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, so you really can’t go wrong with a wine you like. I know I at some point I will be drinking bubbles…and I’m hoping they will be pink!

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

CHEERS!

Arlene Maminta Browne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Taste of Oregon with Julianne Allen of Foris Wines

Posted on by

We had a recent visit and wine tasting from our friend, Julianne Allen, National Sales and Marketing Director at Foris Wines.

Stanley had the pleasure of working with Julianne over the years when he was a wine sales representative with A. Bommarito Wines – a time he has always looked back upon with great pride, admiration and nostalgia.

Foris Wines is one of the best kept secrets in the Pacific Northwest. Just because they are not from Willamette doesn’t mean they should be overlooked; they are worth seeking and tasting.

Take a look at the short video of Julianne and Stanley as they taste wines from Foris here.

Cheers!

 

Robust to Open Second Wine Bar Downtown at the MX

Posted on by

Robust is bringing its award-winning wine experience and small plate dining to The MX at 635 Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. It is slated to open its doors in Late November 2012

With the flagship location in Webster Groves, Robust has a nationally recognized extensive wine list with more than 42 wines-by-the-glass and full bottle service.

Guests will enjoy an on-site Sommelier; two private meeting rooms for up to 50 guests; a full-service wine and gift shop; wine tastings and education; corporate wines and gifts; Saturday and Sunday RoBRUNCH as a well as off-site catering.

We look forward to bringing the Robust experience to Downtown St. Louis.

The Land of the Grapes: Spain

Posted on by

Tempranillo Grapes

Grapes, grapes and more grapes. They are everywhere in Spain. So it is quite fitting for Spain to be also known as the Land of the Grapes. Luckily they make some fine wines too.

From Albarino to Cava and Tempranillo to Verdejo, Stanley takes us on a tour of Spanish wines and it’s regions in his latest article in Ladue News, The Wine Life.

Salud!