Some Sage Advise

Enjoyed a really nice meal with friends last night at Sage Restaurant in South St. Louis. Located in the old Lynch Street Bistro spot across from the Brewery on Lynch Street, of course. In sauce magazine's reader's choice poll for 2008 it ranked 3rd for best new restaurant and 1st for service in a casual restaurant. It didn't disappoint. One thing I really liked is that they cover a lot of bases. There's a wide selection of appetizers followed by a handful of salads and a couple of soups. Then there's a varied (but not overwhelming) choice of entrees that run the gamut from pastas, to seafood, to steak and chops plus a small selection of sandwiches. I enjoyed a salad that was a wedge of iceberg with blue cheese, walnuts and red onions with blue cheese dressing and an extra drizzle of balsamic viniagrette; a grilled chicken sandwich with cheese, bacon and some sort of tomato spread and that came with some of the best homemade chips I've ever had and then save just a little room for dessert. They have these nifty little miniature desserts that are just the little sweet taste that you need to finish off your meal. I chose the gooey butter and it was fab! John enjoyed cedar planked salmon and the other couple had a seafood pasta and an oriental dish. Everyone was happy and satiated when they left! And the prices were very reasonable I thought for the quality/quantity of the food, service, ambiance and it being an "award winning" restaurant in St. Louis. It's really an easy drive from this side of the river too, so check it out when you're hungering for something new! Last note: they do have a smoke free dining room (on the second floor) and they do take reservations.

Out of Wine!

Just talked to a friend and reader who went to Ravissant Winery for the big wine sale. After waiting in line an hour she was told all they had left was Concord and Harvest wine. It was a zoo. So if you haven't gone yet and were thinking of going I'd take a pass on it.

Stopped by Elements Off Main in Columbia, IL today and got the lowdown on their special winter event. Customer Appreciation Day is Wednesday, Feb. 4th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., note the extended hours till 7 p.m. that day.  They will be unveiling new items from market and artists that day and there will be a discount of 20% off on all EOM and XOM items (that's the owners own new merchandise not consignment).  They will also be serving food and beverage samples.  So stop by and check it out and tell them that you saw it on Debbie's blog!

Everyone should do the BLOG

No, not just read mine (though you should) but start their own.  It was so easy.  I went through blogger.com.  It's free.  And you end up with your own address, mine, as you know by now but ingrain it in your memory and tell your friends, is:  debbiesbargainbasement.blogspot.com.  It takes all of 5 minutes to set up, a little longer if you include the time it takes to write your profile.  So if you have a story to tell, an expertise to share, enjoy writing or have someone or something to promote, this is the new (ok, I think its been around for awhile but its new to most of us) way to do it.   So has anyone out there got a blog?  Now that I have one I need some of my own to follow.  By the way, three of you have already signed up to follow my blog and I thank you.  Please share with me if you have a blog yourself or follow any and I will share with everyone.  I do have one friend that started out with a blog and now has it as a website of its own.  John used to work with him.  He's in to movies and tv big time.  You can check his blog out at www.flippinchannels.com.  Enough of me sharing the gospel of the blog, let's get on to the meat of my diatribes.

MY TIPS

Ravissant Winery in Belleville is going out of business and selling their property.  Their going out of business sale is this Saturday, January 31st from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Buy 1 and get 2 free on all wine purchases - good for 1 bottle or a truckload.  It's a great opportunity to stock your own wine supply or to pick up some gifts for the coming year.  The property that is for sale consists of a house, a historical home built in the 1860's and totally refurbished in the '80s, 2 barns (the Wine Hall and Winery) - the wine hall was built in the 1920's and the Winery barn ws built when we bought the property in 2004.  Also on the 12 acres is a shed and guest cottage.  There's also access to a 2-acre lake with a private dock.  It's being sold as a commercial property, but can be purchased as a private residence.  If you or someone you know my be interested please let me know and I'll get you more information.

Dillard's is currently taking an additional 30% off the marked down price of items that are already marked down up to 75%.  It's a great time to buy.  I haven't made it there yet with the weather but hope to before the sale comes to an end.  There was an ad in today's paper that said it was going on for a limited time but it didn't say what that limited time was.  Hopefully its through the weekend but don't hesitate, get there today!

So we've had a little remodeling going on here at home that I want to share some info about. This week we tore up the old wine-stained carpet on the stairs to our basement and had oak stairs installed.  They are gorgeous.  We also had hardwood put in the pantry we had redone and we had crown moulding installed on our kitchen cabinets (what a difference that makes).  It all is just beautiful (we still have to finish painting and staining, we chose to do that work ourselves to save a little money).  If you need any woodworking done I was very happy with the gentleman and his son that did our work.  The company is Dugans Woodworking out of Waterloo.  The man that installed our hardwood floors, Mark Grimm of Quality Wood Floors, recommended him (he doesn't do stairs just floors).  Their website is www.duganswoodworking.com or their shop phone number is 618.939.6199 or cell 618.719.4797.

You'll catch me working at Elements Off Main in Columbia on Tuesday from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Come visit and see what's new.  I also think they are planning a special event for an upcoming Wednesday (maybe even next Wed.), I'll get more info on this and post it on my blog in coming days.  By the way, my mom just called me and The Lipstick Magazine (in the Belleville News Democrat) came out today with the article on Elements.  Grab a copy and read!

READER TIPS

Don't forget the Susan G. Komen Fundraiser being held Sun., Feb. 15th at the Young Chef's Academy in O'Fallon, IL.  It's Cook Pink for The Cure and is a participatory class for kids to make treats and snacks.  Minimum donation is $10 per child.  More details were provided in last week's column.  For more information or reservations call 618.632.cook.

Also don't forget EagleFest is Sat., Feb. 7th at 6:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Columbia.  Two bands and other musical performances to benefit Columbia High School Athletics programs.  For tickets or more information contact Conner Brennan at 281.6538.

GET OUT

I had a reader share this great GET OUT idea for this week.  If you are looking for something to do this weekend, don't forget the Casa Loma Ballroom in South St. Louis for an evening of dancing.  She and her husband went a couple of weeks ago and had a great time.  Bands perform on Fridays and Saturdays and they usually have dance lessons before the band starts.  Don't let the neighborhood stop you (high security).  For their schedule of bands, directions, etc. hit their website at casalomaballroom.com.  Even if you don't dance it's a fun night out.  When they went they heard the band Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats.  And there were some teenage kids from local dance studios there and she said they wonderful and acrobatic.  The ballroom has been there forever, I went before I was married and it was the same kind of scene, a blast from the past and a lot of fun!

Another reader shared that the Adam's Consignment Auction that is usually held the last Tuesday of the month at Belle Clair Fairgrounds was postponed due to the weather.  It has been rescheduled for this Friday night, Jan. 30th, with a start time of 5:00.  Furniture goes under the hammer starting around 6:00.  Depending on the quantity of consignments the auction can go to around 11:00.  I've been to a few and their great fun and there are some great bargains to be had for the patient.

Or if you are staying in this weekend and watching the Super Bowl this Sunday evening here's a special that you might be interested in taking advantage of.  Boccardi's has a carryout special called the Big Game Feast!  For $49.95 you can feed around 8 people (lets face it, it depends how big of eaters you have) with 2 large 2-topping pizzas, 50 pieces of toasted rav's and a bowl of their house salad.  Pre order by Friday, Jan. 30th and you get it for just $44.95.  Call 281.6700 and don't forget to visit their website at joebaccardis.com to sign up for their emails and learn of their other specials.

More than you bargained for!

Wow, I can't believe it, I'm actually blogging.  My email newsletter goes into the blogosphere.  I'm hip, it's happening!  Just setting it up now but check back on Thursday or Friday to find my weekly column, tips, calendar and other content.  It's all about going:  going shopping, going on vacation, going out or just going - all at a bargain price!