Ok - This is something I've always wanted to do and now is as good a time as any - so here's my food blog... I'll start it from the road, but continue once I get back to NY.

First stop - St. Louis... The first stop of our tour, we pulled into the venue "Off-Broadway" which was a bit too far from the BBQ place I wanted to check out, so I asked the bartender, Johnny, where I should go to get something awesome. He threw out a couple options but when I heard "Jerk Chicken," I was sold... Even though it was kind of a hike, I convinced JB to come with me to the Venice Cafe (thanks buddy.)

The place is kitsch heaven - a kind of art space with everything from old boats, Simpsons quotes, mosaics, and a pretty hilarious grotto:

There was also a great little bluegrass band playing standards called Pik'n Lik'n, who were playing a benefit show.

The food was pretty simple and tasty, without a lot of overthinking... A big grill and charred marinated jerk chicken... Mine came with carmelized plantains (way better than I expected,) bread fritters, and some spicy, smokey, almost mole jerk sauce and honey for dipping purposes... JB got a Caribbean burger with spicy jerk mayo.

All in all, it hit the spot and I washed it down with an ice cold Budweiser (The Anheuser-Busch Brewery is literally a minute away...)

And right as we were finishing our meal, it started to thunder/lightning and lightly rain... JB and I had to book it back to the venue to catch Wheels on Fire's set and we got stuck in one of the most beautifully bizarre lightning storms I've ever seen. Taking a look up in the sky over the old brewery, it reminded me of "Strange Brew" you hoser... In other words, it ruled.

For more info: http://www.thevenicecafe.com