One of downtown’s most eye-catching historic buildings reopens October 15 as the Hyatt Centric Downtown St. Louis (1501 Washington), with an in-house restaurant that melds St. Louis’ past and present.
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
Exterior of the Hyatt Centric Downtown St. Louis
The Link is named for Theodore Link, architect of the 1910 International Shoe Company building. The restaurant’s dishes are named for modern St. Louis landmarks such as Tower Grove Park, Soulard Market, and, of course, the Gateway Arch. The interplay between the historic setting and today’s dining trends makes The Link a dynamic dining destination.
Here’s what to know before you go.
The Menu
Food and beverage director Will Rogers is not a native St. Louisan, but you would never know it, given the smile on his face as he lists such dishes as the Gateway Spinach and Archichoke Dip, the Laclede Caesar, and the Tower Grove Harvest Salad.
“The inspiration for The Link’s menu is St. Louis food,” Rogers explains. From toasted ravioli to Kaldi’s Coffee to USDA Prime Angus sirloin from Ruth Family Farms in Queen City, the local connections are everywhere.
Out-of-town guests may not realize that The Kingshighway wood-fired pizza is named for a main north-south thoroughfare, but locals will immediately grasp the South City connection to a pie topped with pepperoni, hot Italian sausage, spicy capicola, banana peppers, marinated olives, and mozzarella. When asked about Provel, Rogers replies only with a hearty laugh—an implicit continuation of the endless debate.
In a nod to Tower Grove Market, the Tower Grove Harvest Salad is a bed of artisan greens with roasted beets, pistachio tuille, dried Missouri cranberries, shaved fennel and watermelon radish, and brie cheese, tossed in an apricot vinaigrette. The Metro East’s Southern culture also gets some love via The Lou Bird: a crispy buttermilk chicken breast drizzled with spicy honey and served with dill pickles and slaw on a potato roll.
The entire region can claim the Arch City Ribeye, a wood-fired 12-ounce prime-cut ribeye with compound herb butter, roasted garlic jus, and crispy onion strings, topped with peppercorn sauce and served alongside roasted fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
Arch City Ribeye
One of Rogers’ favorites dishes is the bone-in sirloin, reminiscent of St. Louis’ storied steakhouses. The 16-ounce Prime strip steak is served with au poivre sauce and a daily chef’s selection of sides.
The Link’s menu also includes a medley of national and international flavors. There’s the Charred Street Corn with chipotle mayo, cotija, and chili-lime salt; the Corn & Crab Fritters with smoked paprika aioli and a squeeze of charred lemon; and the Atlantic salmon fillet, a beautiful dish with roasted asparagus, mushroom risotto, and a lemon caper beurre blanc.
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
Atlantic salmon filet
The Link is open daily for a breakfast of composed dishes, a standard selection of favorites such as eggs, pancakes, and granola. The espresso bar, located just across from the kitchen, has a full range of coffee drinks brewed from Kaldi’s beans, as well as teas and other beverages.
The third key component of The Link is the lobby bar, located around the corner from the coffee station. “The bar spreads out across the lobby, so the bartenders can step out and assist tables,” Rogers explains.
In total, the restaurant and bar have seating for 76 guests.
Courtesy of StilL 630Courtesy of StilL 630
While the hotel awaits its liquor license, the team is already deeply immersed in planning with Still 630, the award-winning distillery in downtown St. Louis. “[Still 630 owner] David Weglartz has done an exceptional job,” Rogers says. The Link’s beverage menu will feature Still 630’s Expedition Rum, as well as the company’s bourbons, gins, and perhaps even some of the rarer spirits, such as a rye whiskey finished with maple syrup.
The collaboration with Still 630 will be on full display during a November 19 chef’s dinner. (More information will be posted on the hotel’s Facebook page.)
The bar will also offer 10 draft beers, including local craft brewers and Anheuser-Busch products.
The Team
Photography by Amy De La HuntPhotography by Amy De La Hunt
The Link Food and Beverage Director, Will Rogers
Rogers is very familiar with The Link’s footprint; he was previously the food and beverage director at The Last Hotel. General manager Bill Tirone approached him as the Hyatt Centric project was getting underway, and Rogers agreed to join SIG Management, which acquired the building in February. The company has completed extensive renovations across the lobby level, as well as the 141 guest rooms and the Expedition Rooftop, a seasonal bar, outdoor pool, and event space.
Heading up the kitchen is executive chef Darry Dugger, whose experience includes Prime 55 Restaurant and Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis, and the Missouri Athletic Club. Rogers knew of Dugger’s culinary skill from the 21C Hotel, just down Washington Avenue from the Hyatt Centric. Rogers also credits food and beverage manager Sebastian Preciado and morning manager Abi Gray as key members of The Link’s launch team.
The Atmosphere
The building’s striking architecture has been enhanced with touches such as new carpet and wall treatments. Rogers says the building has also received less-visible renovations since May, from the roof to the kitchen, where equipment was replaced and upgraded.
Rogers is especially excited to welcome guests to the 10th-floor banquet and event space, with views of downtown that rival those from the rooftop.
While there is substantial parking available at surface lots surrounding the hotel, visitors can also choose to leave their cars at the front door with the convenient, fully managed valet service.
Guests who were familiar with the lobby décor of The Last Hotel will see many new pieces that connect with St. Louis history. For instance, the rectangular fabric bundles that appear on shelves across the entrance foyer and the coffee bar represent the goods carried by the Lewis and Clark expedition. One piece that will be familiar to returning visitors is the 1910 pool table that symbolizes the year that the building first opened.
Rogers says visitors can expect other amenities in the future, including an art installation in the lobby and live music from the Hard Bop Messengers on the first Friday of the month.
The Link
📍 1501 Washington, Downtown West
📞 314-492-1234
⏰ 6 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–10 p.m. daily
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