What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

Alexis Zotos
  • 4.5 (8)
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Welcome to What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, your go-to guide for what’s fresh, fun, and happening around St. Louis. A weekly interview style show featuring the people and events that make St. Louis special. 

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 28: 50 Years of Art in Nature - Laumeier Sculpture Park

    For five decades, Laumeier Sculpture Park has invited St. Louisans to slow down, wander, and experience art in the open air and this year, the beloved free sculpture park is celebrating a major milestone. In this episode, I’m joined by Executive Director Lauren Ross and curator Dana Turkovic, to talk about Laumeier’s 50th anniversary and the special exhibition Begin Again: 50 Years and Counting. We explore how the park has grown into a one-of-a-kind space at the intersection of public art and the natural world, featuring hundreds of artists, rare works from the collection, and decades of bold commissions. Have memories of the park? They're collecting stories, videos and photos to celebrate the milestone year. Submit them here! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVcwyUgkXxv3T6RkAO1PrXTLMDGn_BBldv2jKWu6SEcSl5wQ/viewform This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee.

    39 min

  2. JAN 26

    Episode 27: Beads, Bands & Big Crowds - Inside St. Louis Mardi Gras

    St. Louis knows how to throw a party and Mardi Gras is the proof. In this episode, we sit down with Mack Bradley, President of the Mardi Gras Foundation, to take you behind the scenes of one of the city’s biggest and most iconic celebrations. We talk about how St. Louis Mardi Gras began, the wildest moments Mack has witnessed over the years, and yes, how they actually measure the massive crowds that take over Soulard. Mack also breaks down everything you need on your calendar for Mardi Gras season, from parades and parties to can’t-miss traditions that keep locals coming back year after year. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned bead collector, this episode gets you ready to celebrate like a pro.  Find a full calendar of events here. This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee.

    33 min

  3. JAN 19

    Episode 26: A Beloved Return, Persian Flavors Come Back to South Grand with Hamishe & Natasha Bahrami

    One of St. Louis’ most beloved culinary legacies is making a comeback. Nearly four years after the closing of Café Natasha, matriarch Hamishe Bahrami, lovingly known as “Mom,” is back in the kitchen alongside her daughter Natasha Bahrami, bringing Persian food back to South Grand. In this episode, we talk about what inspired the return, the emotions behind reopening a chapter so many St. Louisans hold close, and what diners can expect. Plus the story of how Cafe Natasha began in St. Louis. As of this episode dropping,  the menu of Persian “Greatest Hits” launching at The Gin Room is officially underway. This conversation is a celebration of family, heritage, and the power of food to bring a community together. You can follow us on social media on Instagram and Facebook.  This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee.

    33 min

  4. JAN 12

    Episode 25: Changing the Game, The Sports Bra Comes to St. Louis

    A first-of-its-kind women’s sports bar is coming to St. Louis and it’s opening in Maplewood this spring. In this episode, we sit down with Heather Hill, owner of The Sports Bra here in St. Louis, to talk about why women’s sports deserve the spotlight and how this concept is creating space for fans who’ve long been overlooked. Heather shares what inspired her to apply for a franchise to bring The Sports Bra, originally founded in Portland, to St. Louis, what guests can expect when the doors open, and how the bar is redefining what it means to gather, cheer, and celebrate women athletes. From community impact to culture-shifting conversations, this episode is all about changing the game, on and off the screen.

    23 min

  5. 12/16/2025

    Episode 24: Sweet Traditions - Holiday Baking with Made by Lia

    Just in time for the holidays, we sit down with Lia Holter, the creative force behind Florissant's Made by Lia Bakery, to talk all things baking, tradition, and celebrating through food. With the release of her brand-new cookbook, Lia shares the inspiration behind the recipes, the family memories woven into each page, and how baking has become a way to bring people together year after year. You can find the book at stores around St. Louis or online! The perfect gift.  What's New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos will be taking a holiday break but we will be back January 12 2026 with brand new episodes highlighting the best of St. Louis!  This episode is presented by Kaldi's Coffee and produced by Bucket List Creative.

    28 min

  6. 12/08/2025

    Episode 23: Telling St. Louis’ Story, One Bite at a Time with Matt Sorrell

    In this deliciously fun episode, we’re joined by Matt Sorrell, longtime bartender, food writer, and now author of the brand-new book Matt’s St. Louis Food Story. Matt takes us behind the scenes of the project, which highlights 80 iconic spots that together paint a rich, flavorful portrait of St. Louis’ food scene. From old-school institutions to modern must-tries, his book celebrates the dishes, people, and places that make this city such a standout culinary destination. We talk about the writing process, his years behind the bar, the meals that shaped the book, and why it makes the perfect holiday gift.  If you love St. Louis food (or just love talking about it), you’ll want to savor every minute of this episode.

    26 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Episode #22: Hustling for Good — Building Community Through Food with Danni Eickenhorst

    In this honest and inspiring episode, we sit down with Danni Eickenhorst, the powerhouse behind HUSTL Hospitality and some of our favorite restaurants: Steve’s Hot Dogs, The Fountain on Locust, The Fountain on Delmar, and Steve’s Meltdown. Danni’s path to hospitality wasn’t traditional, she began her career in the nonprofit world, driven by a passion for making St. Louis better. Today, that same mission fuels her work in restaurants, where she’s proving that food can be a catalyst for real, meaningful change.

    25 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    Episode 21: A Brand New DD Mau: Behind the scenes with Julie Truong Shih

    In this delicious episode, we sit down with Julie Truong Shih, the force behind DD Mau, St. Louis’ beloved fast-casual Vietnamese restaurant — now celebrating the grand opening of its brand-new Webster Groves location! We caught up with Julie as she and her team were preparing to unlock the doors, and she shares the heartfelt story behind DD Mau: how she grew up in the restaurant world, stepped away, and ultimately found her way back to it with renewed passion and purpose. Julie talks about creating a modern, welcoming space that introduces Vietnamese flavors to a new generation of diners. And of course, she gives us the inside scoop on the must-order dishes you can’t leave without trying. A conversation about heritage, hustle, and the joy of feeding a community, this episode will leave you hungry in the best way. The new location is located at 8169 Big Bend Blvd. Find them in Maryland Heights as well!

    24 min
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4.5
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Welcome to What’s New in the Lou with Alexis Zotos, your go-to guide for what’s fresh, fun, and happening around St. Louis. A weekly interview style show featuring the people and events that make St. Louis special. 

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