Ben Poremba, a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist, plans to open the The Benevolent King restaurant at 7268 Manchester Road, the location of Water Street Cafe, closing at the end of January.
There will be a public hearing at the February 13 city council meeting on a request by Poremba for a full liquor license by the drink at the location.
Acording to Ben Poremba’s website: he’s “the Chef/Owner of Bengelina Hospitality Group, the St. Louis-based, award-winning operator of Nixta and Bar Limón, Elaia, Olio, Parigi, and La Patisserie Chouquette. Poremba is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist in the category of Best Chef-Midwest, and he continues taking the St. Louis dining scene by storm.”
It was sad to see Water Street go but this news is a big deal. Poremba’s group opened Nixta last year, which Bon Appetit named one of the 10 best new restaurants in the United States. Between this and Elmwood, 2018 should be a great year for dining in Maplewood.
I haven’t heard anything recently about Chateau Maplewood, the wine bar that was supposed to open at 7326 Manchester. Wonder if that’s still happening.