Freezing

Irony: Going to a bar/restaurant called Sub Zero when the heat index is 100 degrees. Somehow we managed to choose the hottest day of the year thus far (as of Monday-Wednesday trumped it) to perform the strange St. Louis summer ritual of packing ourselves in like sardines at a breezeless amphitheater at the Muny (in Forest Park!) We wanted to grab a quick post-work bite before the show. We took a friend/couple along with us and they suggested a place where the girls could get sushi and the boys, burgers.

Subzero has this strange menu combination of raw fish and fattening beef. Both the burgers and sushi were good enough-but the problem when a restaurant features dishes for various palates is that you don't seek the restaurant out for any of them. If I'm craving a burger, I'll go someplace closer to my house, as you can get a burger anywhere. If I'm craving sushi, I'll go back to Wasabi or try another joint, where the sushi shines. What's even more interesting about this place is that the official title is Sub Zero Vodka Bar, which doesn't even sound like they serve food.

Sub Zero is in a busy section of the Central West End, which is probably keeping it's doors open. A place like this in Benton Park, I doubt would survive. But the foot traffic and generally young 20-something population of the CWE is allowing it to thrive.

http://www.subzerovodkabar.com/