This week's Lenten Fish Fry (LFF) was at St. Gabriel the Archangel on Francis Park in St. Louis Hills. Now that it's still light when approaching an LFF, if one is not too deeply engrossed in the search for a parking spot, it's a chance to looking at architecture. This is a new part of that particular neighborhood for me, and the church itself is striking, a wonderfully vertical late Art Deco building that looks like it belongs in Los Angeles.
The LFF is in the school, between the church and the gym, and is entered from the parking lot in the center of the block They use the cafeteria, which means not just tables and folding chairs but swiveling stools attached to other tables. The now-ubiquitous cod, either baked or fried, cornmeal-battered catfish, shrimp or what seems to be a fish-of-the-week rotation, this week swai, a mild white fish. (It's St. Louis – surely no one would offer any fish that wasn't mild. Too bad, to my way of thinking, as I have a long-standing love for fishy fish.) Pasta – actually cavatappi – as mac and cheese or with tomato sauce, slaw, green beans or french fries. The dinner check includes bread, drink and dessert – I did see a couple of wine bottles put to one side.
It was very nice to be offered the option of a mixed plate by the fellow serving the fish, The gentleman oveseeing the pastas gave me a generous spoonful and then asked if that would be enough or would I like more. Very hospitable, Gabrielites seem to be. The baked cod, sprinkled with a little Italian seasoning, was surprisingly moist, a nice bit of work, and the fried cod and catfish both were tasty, well-seasoned and un-greasy. Nothing deeply exciting about the slaw, green beans or macaroni and cheese, but all perfectly adequate, as were the squares of cake. Mine was spice cake – there was red velvet, yellow and chocolate as well – with a good cream cheese icing.
Generous servings of well-cooked fish and fine hospitality. I'm sure the archangel would be pleased if he dropped by.
St. Gabriel the Archangel
6303 Nottingham at Tamm