I've known Chef Cary McDowell, above, for years, ever since I was the Food Editor of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion. There were many reasons why I loved the food editor's job, but one that particularly relates to Cary is a dinner at The Crossing in Clayton which he co-owned at the time. The publicist for a pair of cookbook authors, who also own Home Restaurant in New York, invited yours truly and another member of the St. Louis Culinary Society to interview the couple over dinner. It was one of those pull-out-all-the-stops, multi-course affairs that Cary and then partner Jim Fiala executed with aplomb. I will never forget how fabulous the experience was.
Later, Cary and Jim Fiala also opened Liluma at the corner of Euclid and Maryland. More recently Cary was the executive chef of Winslow's Home in University City where he presided until a few weeks ago, when Chris Sommers and Frank Ubile, proprietors of Gringo, recruited him (see Feast article here) as corporate executive chef of their restaurant at Euclid and McPherson.
On Monday evening Frank and Chris invited friends and neighbors to sample Cary's ramped-up menu and celebrate his arrival on the scene.
A server passed shells filled with delicious ceviche.
There was a grill on the patio and food stations were set up around the perimeter of the restaurant with a large array of new menu items. A variety of house-made salsas was available alongside Gringo's popular guacamole (not pictured) that has been a crowd-favorite since the restaurant opened in late Spring.
There was also a plate of colorful Chorizo Verde and
Lengua, one of several varieties of tacos served in the restaurant's signature corn tortillas (flour tortillas are available too).
Carter Hand was there with his daughters Cali and Lilah, above. Gringo is definitely family-friendly.
On Monday night Cary presented items from an upcoming brunch menu, including the Boozy Brunch Shooters pictured above, and Frittata Machacada below.
The Dulce table was filled with enticing bites of flan and an assortment of cookies including adorable Bizcochos, below.
A Mariachi band added even more fun to the evening. Stop in soon to experience the new Gringo yourself.
Gringo, 11 a.m. to Midnight Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun., 398 N. Euclid, (314) 449-1212.