Since I’m in the St. Louis area and am about to discuss pizza, I’m just comin’ in hot and saying it up front: I don’t like St. Louis style pizza. Sorry, not sorry.
My dislike isn’t because of the thin crust, the sweeter pizza sauce, or the square-cut slices. I’m just not a fan of the provel cheese. The funny thing is, there was actually a time in my life when I loved provel cheese and STL style pizza. The change in my taste buds took place during a seven year stint living in the Pacific Northwest, and I’m not sure when it happened, I just know I can’t do it anymore.
Okay, now that the lengthy disclaimer is out of the way, let me tell you about pizza I do like!
I recently met up with a group of local food-loving folks that I connected with through a Facebook group called 47 Foodies. In addition to being active on Facebook, the group also plans get-togethers at area restaurants to support local eateries and socialize, and the gathering at Benito’s Pizzeria in Washington was 47 Foodies’ most recent meet up.
Over lots of conversation about food, cooking, and area restaurants, the group dined on everything from pizza, salads, pasta, and appetizers. I didn’t try the appetizers that made the rounds of our three tables, because I’m a pizza girlie, and I didn’t want anything to spoil my appetite.
I’m glad I abstained from snacking before we received our pie, because it was really, really good. I’m not sure how Benito’s classifies its crust, but in my opinion it had the taste and texture of hand-tossed, with a nice bite and slightly crispier texture at the edges. The toppings, including the cheese, are generous, as you might notice in the drool-worthy photo below.
The Big Ben, a pizza loaded with meat like pepperoni, Italian sausage, and bacon. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
There’s a handful of specialty pizza offerings on the menu like the Big Ben, loaded with a number of meat toppings, and the Pollo Italian, a buffalo chicken style pizza. In terms of available toppings, you’ll find all the usually yumminess here, such as veggies, meats, and even that somewhat polarizing topping, pineapple.
My husband and I split a small (9-inch pie) so that we could share a pasta dish as well. We had the manicotti and the baked pasta was absolutely delicious. And what’s not to love? The dish is covered in melty cheese, stuffed with creamy ricotta, and served on a bed of luscious red sauce.
The manicotti baked pasta covered in melted cheese, stuffed with creamy ricotta, and rests on a bed of luscious red sauce. The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
The menu also includes wings, salads, and since Benito’s is owned and operated by Cowan’s Restaurant, you can also order a slice of pie for dessert. I love Cowan’s pies, but I didn’t get any this time, but I guess that’s for the next visit 😉
After a long winter and a rough start to spring, we’re finally moving into that time of year where there’s lots going on, from outdoor events and festivals to trivia and game nights, and much more. Here’s what’s happening around Franklin County this week.
Thursday, April 24 The first Sunset at the Riverfront of the year has arrived and this is your chance to enjoy a family-friendly event filled with music, food, and drinks at the Riverfront in downtown Washington. Get more details.
Thursday, April 24 Meet St. Louis author, Joan Fernandez at this author event at Neighborhood Reads. Joan’s new book, Saving Vincent tells the true story of how in the early twentieth century, a timid widow—and sister-in-law of Vincent van Gogh—Jo van Gogh takes on the male-dominated art elite. Event is free, but RSVP to attend.
Friday, April 25 Gather your slightly terrible and more-inappropriate-than-average friends for a Cards Against Humanity tournament at Stacked Coffeehouse in Villa Ridge. Teams of up to 4-6 for will battle until the bitter end with prizes throughout the night. Get the ticket link and more details.
Friday, April 25 The WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday with music and the BBQ & Brews Tasting event. Get all the details.
Friday, April 25 The first Union Farmers Market of the season is this week! Drop by the market (at the lower parking lot near the sports fields at ECC), from 4 to 7 p.m. and shop local vendors, farmers, and food provided by Hot Tamales. Learn more.
Saturday, April 26 Celebrate Independent Book Store Day at Neighborhood Reads in Washington! This event will include food, coffee, giveaways, story time, and more. Visit Neighborhood Reads on Facebook to learn more.
Photo via Neighborhood Reads’ Facebook page.
Saturday, April 26 Drop by the cafeteria at New Haven Elementary School to peruse area vendors, makers, and get a bite to eat. Food will be provided by Lang-a-Tang Cafe, and attendees will have the chance to purchase homemade baked goods, sourdough, and items like t-shirts, lanyards, and more. Get the details on Facebook.
Saturday, April 26 The third annual P-Town Pub Crawl is happening in Pacific. This ticketed events grants you access to a shuttle that will take you to the eight different establishments taking a part in the crawl. Find out more.
Saturday, April 26 Fass Motorsports is hosting Dyno Day, and attendees can watch dozens of trucks hit the dyno, enjoy some food, and check out the show room! This event features a free truck show, free food and drinks, and dozens of rowdy diesel trucks. Find out more at the Facebook event.
Saturday, April 26 The St. Clair VFW is hosting a craft fair as well as an egg hunt. The event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the egg hunt happening at 10 a.m. Find out more.
Sunday, April 27 The final day of WashMo BBQ & Bluesfest begins at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 4 p.m. Learn more.
As we move into spring and summer, my goal is to add a few twists on the dining articles I share. From time to time I will share an article about various cottage bakers, farmers, caterers, or other food-related businesses that aren’t necessarily a restaurant, but are still important to our community.
To kick off this new twist, I’m sharing about a local shop in Pacific called Mushroom Dave’s. Here you will find a wide variety of nourishing, locally sourced food, from Amish grown produce, to farm fresh eggs, local meat, dairy, and other goods, like honey, condiments, and snacks. As the name suggests, the establishment also sells a wide selection of mushrooms, which are grown by the proprietor himself.
Mushroom Dave’s is also a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and offers weekly groceries to customers in a subscription style format, and CSA customers can choose what type of box they want to purchase depending on their household and lifestyle.
The storefront of Mushroom Dave’s in Pacific. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
In addition to being a grocery store and local CSA, Mushroom Dave’s has an onsite commercial kitchen where the staff prepares and serves a small food menu featuring offerings like breakfast sandwiches, and lunch choices including flatbreads and sliders. There’s a seating area inside the store for guests to dine in, or you can opt to take your food to go.
Don’t just take my word for, visit Mushroom Dave’s Facebook page to learn more, or stop in the shop the next time you’re in Pacific.
Nestled in the bustling Heartland Plaza located on a busy stretch of US-50 in Union is Essence Salon & Spa, a local woman-owned business that provides clients with an opportunity to experience a bit of tranquility through its variety of salon and spa services. The business features a salon, located at the back of the space, along with rooms dedicated to massage and other spa treatments. The services include massage, esthetics like facials and waxing, as well as salon services including haircuts, color, style, and beard trims.
Inside the space, guests are greeted by the pastel hues and soft seating in the waiting area. For clients wishing to receive spa treatments, the private rooms are inviting, with warm lighting, calming music, and neutral toned decor to help keep guests relaxed during their visit, while the salon space features lots of colorful accent pieces.
The waiting area at Essence Salon & Spa. Photo credit: Ashley Wycoff
Owner Ashley Wycoff opened Essence Salon & Spa seven years ago, and previously worked in the ER and Mercy Physical Therapy department and for some time as a first responder. Ashley’s a licensed esthetician, and has been a licensed massage therapist for almost twenty years. Throughout her time in the industry she’s used the skills gained through continued education to add to the ways she can use massage to help others.
Some of the massage methods she’s focused on since starting her journey include lymphatic drainage massage, psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) massage, and her most recent modality is hospice massage, to aid in decreasing pain levels and increasing peace and relaxation during this time.
The private massage rooms feature massage tables, warm lighting, and calming music that plays softly in the background, to help clients relax throughout the experience. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
Since massage treatments can often be looked upon as a way to relax, Ashley’s goal is to remind people that massages, and even facials, can be right for everyone and it’s about more than unwinding, although that can be a significant side effect.
“Some people think it’s just pampering or relaxation, but it’s also for job related muscle stress, mental stress, and physical ailments,” Ashley says of the massage treatments.
A client can add to those experiences by adding on various elements like warm towels and aromatherapy, or adding hot stones or warm bamboo sticks that are rolled over various points of the body during a massage session.
Clients have the option to add warm bamboo sticks, which are rolled over various points of the body to enhance their massage experience. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
A mission to provide services for all
Getting a massage, facial, or even a new hairstyle can seem like simple ways to reduce your stress, help alleviate pain, and improve your confidence, but these services can often come at price points that not everyone can afford. Although they provide different services to their respective clientele, Ashley and Essence salon stylist Magan Matthews operate with a shared mission in mind.
“We have both dug ourselves out of hard times, and neither of us thought we would have come this far as we are now,” Ashley explains. Since she and Magan have experienced tough times first hand, they believe in keeping their prices low, yet quality high.
Stylist Magan Matthews providing a client with a haircut. Photo credit: The Socialite_Amanda Bretz
But that commitment to providing quality experiences extends beyond making services available to people from as many financial backgrounds as possible. Guests may take note of pieces in the business that share details about Ashley’s Christian faith. Whether that’s the hand painted nativity scene that adorns the storefront windows during the Christmas season, or the large painting depicting Jesus in one of the massage rooms, providing a welcoming, judgement free space to all is a way she feels she can live out her beliefs everyday.
And, by building a rapport with clients, she can modify the massage experience for clients who don’t wish to fully undress when receiving a massage due to religious beliefs or modesty reasons, or by providing a space that’s welcoming to any couple that comes in for a couples massage or couples facial sessions at Essence Salon & Spa.
Giving back
The team also believes in giving back to the community in both big and small ways. With her background in the medical field, during the height of the pandemic, Ashley and her lead massage therapist Amber Camp preformed massages for staff at Mercy Hospital in Washington, as well as the staff at Mercy Hospital in Jefferson County. They have previously offered massages for the Union School District Staff and Magan annually does free hair cuts during the back to school fair for the Union School District.
The salon and spa team also helps raise money for St. Jude’s Research Hospital, through volunteering their hours and offering their services at a discounted price for one day, with all proceeds from that day going to the non-profit organization.
Essence Salon & Spa is located at 709 US-50 in Union. To learn more about the business, follow its Facebook page, visit it on the web, or reach out by phone at 636-744-1770. Or drop by the Health Fair happening at The Ridge Church in Villa Ridge Sunday, May 4, where Ashley and her team will have a vendor booth.
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