#191: Laclede's Landing

The only cake that is airborne, or not on the ground. I'm not sure what to think of this, but hey, very brilliant I must say! It's held up pretty well. There have been a lot of complaints about people letting their children sit and play on top of the ground cakes recently, and the Laclede's Landing cake is one that does not have to worry about that. Perhaps that's the reason this one is hanging at the moment. This is also the only cake I won't be putting my Ozzie Smith figure on, for obvious reasons. Sure, I'm a bit bummed, but like they say 'You can't have it all...'.

A view from across the street

Hanging from the right view

This is also the only cake where we can see the bottom!

Still, Laclede's Landing deserved a cake. After all, this is only where it all began...as far as the city of St. Louis' founding. The 9-block urban district is named after French fur trader Pierre Laclede, who, yes, landed here from the Mississippi River. This is the only surviving city commercial section from the 19th century. Several cobblestone and brick streets as well as its old buildings highlight the area. You will also see some historical markers as well.

During the warm days of summer, it is said you can smell cinnamon on the 3rd floor!

The city does take pride in its history at Laclede's Landing. Most of the buildings were built in the second-half of the 19th century. Remember, this area was at one time, a manufacturing and shipping hub. Thousands of businesses have came and gone over the years.

Many offices, shops, nightclubs and restaurants make up Laclede's Landing. The famous Old Spaghetti Factory and Show-Me's are popular restaurant chains there. Other well-known local nightlife places include Joey B's on the Landing, Morgan Street Brewery and the Drunken Fish. There's also a piano bar, a magic shop, a wax museum and the Lumiere Place. Rapper Nelly even opened up a learning institution here recently. I have always found this a great area to hang out as far as nightlife. Me and my friends would consider this the place to be on the weekends and special events.


You can take a virtual tour of Laclede's Landing by downloading the app.

NOTE: Laclede's Landing as a whole was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as some of the buildings in the district. I am not sure about the building where the cake is hanging.

Laclede's Landing on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

710 N. 2nd St., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63102
Cake artist: Dan Jaboor

#183: Bevo Mill

What a goofy name. I'm sorry, but in the recent years after I first heard of that area, I just thought, 'Bevo Mill? Really?' It rhymes with Devo, the popular robotic rock group. Turns out there is a reason behind the unusual name.

• Bevo Mill was started up in 1916 as a banquet hall and restaurant from the folks at Anheuser-Busch. It was also created in response to Prohibition (1916 was the year alcoholic beverages were banned).
• 'Bevo' comes from 'Pivo' which is Slavic for beer, but non-alcoholic.
• The area without doubt peaked during the 13 years of Prohibition, as it was marketed by Anheuser-Busch.
• Bevo, the brand itself peaked in 1919.
• It was August Busch, Sr.'s idea on the construction of the mill. He wanted it similar to the Dutch way of making it. 
• The location was also his idea (Morganford and Gravois), as it was between the brewery and his home, which was Grant's Farm.

Check out Bevo Mill's official website for more great historical information about the city's iconic treasure.

Taken right across from the Mill, this Miniature Museum lies at the corner

Front view of the Mill

A view of the Mill from far away

European architecture shines well in the neighborhood!

Left side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Here's a photo of Gonz Jove and his son, Alex, at Better Family Life St. Louis (taken 6/4/2015):

Bevo Mill on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website

749 Gravois Road, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63116
Cake artist: Gonz Jove

UPDATE (8/24/2016): The whereabouts of this cake are unknown.

#1: The Hill

May 3rd, 2014 - was when it all began for me. I had no idea how fun and adventurous a journey like this was going to be. I started right on 'The Hill' after eating at my favorite 'Hill' restaurant, Steve's Hot Dogs on the Hill (run by Urge vocalist Steve Ewing).

• Called 'The Hill' because of it being located in the city's highest point.
• Mainly an Italian-American neighborhood, where most immigrated from Sicily and northern Italy. 
• Known for its red, white and green fire hydrants (colors of the Italy flag)
• Many Italian eateries as well as stores and bakeries are located here, some selling goods hard to find anyplace else (olive paste, anyone?)
• Baseball legends Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola, Sr. are from The Hill.

Amighetti's restaurant, where the cake is located

The Italian Immigrants statue, located in front of the St. Ambrose Catholic Church

St. Ambrose Catholic Church

The Hill on Facebook
Wikipedia link
Official website

5130 Wilson Avenue, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63110
Cake artist: Tina Henderson

UPDATE (9/4/2016): The cake was sold in the Biddingforgood auction on 1/1/2015 ($455); it is now placed outside Columbia Auto Repair, which is not far from the Hill (on Southwest Ave)