Dinner & a Show: Soulard Blues Cruise + Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge

Soulard Blues Cruise

Sept. 3-4, 9pm-1am, various venues, Soulard, stlbluesweek.com

From ragtime to rock ‘n' roll and from jazz to hip-hop, St. Louis has played a key role in contemporary American music history. Right now, it's all about the blues.

The city is in the midst of Bluesweek, which, despite the name, is actually a 10-day celebration of blues in St. Louis. There have been or will be workshops, a history panel discussion, awards and even a brunch dedicated to all things blues.

From a performance standpoint, the highlight is the Soulard Blues Cruise. Over two nights, patrons can shuttle around to 10 venues in and around Soulard, including Hammerstone's, The Shanti and Beale on Broadway, to take in shows by 20 bands. The cruise is essentially a tour of some of St. Louis' finest blues venues and artists, such as Marquise Knox, Bottoms Up Blues Gang, Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz Blues, Rum Drum Ramblers and Soulard Blues Band.

For really hungry blues fans, Bluesweek dovetails nicely with the unrelated 15th annual Big Muddy Blues Festival Sept. 4 and 5 at Laclede's Landing. They can indulge in this St. Louis blues explosion by getting a taste of the national acts at Big Muddy and feasting on the local flavor in Soulard.

If you like the Soulard Blues Cruise, check out the afternoon drive-time blues shows weekdays from 4-7pm on 88.1 KDHX.

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Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge, 1811 Pestalozzi, Benton Park, frazergoodeats.com

Before you get on the bus and cruise through Soulard's musical gems, hit up a nearby culinary gem for a dinner full of soulful creations and classics that satisfy. Frazer's Restaurant & Lounge, a staple of St. Louis' foodie scene since 1992, is known for their eclectic medley of dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world. With an emphasis on richly flavored comfort foods served in an open, bistro-style dining area, the sights, sounds and smells of dinner at Frazer's work together to compose a memorable meal.

Among many menu favorites - including the mussels, the Steak Burger and the bread pudding - are two must-tries: Chorizo stuffed dates and the Salmon Frazer.

Start your meal on the right note with a few orders of the chorizo stuffed dates. Sublimely seasoned ground pork is stuffed into a juicy date, wrapped in bacon and simmered in a spicy tomato sauce. The result is a plump, sweet and salty treat that brings to mind the flavor profile of a well-made meatloaf.

What makes the Salmon Frazer, a signature dish, a go-to entrée is the kitchen's consistently perfect preparation. Where salmon is often overcooked, leaving it dry and flavorless, the Salmon Frazer is an 8-oz filet encrusted with horseradish, pecans and breadcrumbs and baked to the perfect temperature to preserve the moistness and pleasantly light flavor of the fish. Served over Dijon mustard cream sauce, the presentation provides a mixture of sweet, spicy and tangy accents that leave diners wanting more, even after the plate has been licked clean.