Saturday’s grand opening celebration at the new Kirkwood location (612 W. Woodbine) of Lona’s Lil Eats will mark a milestone for chef-owner Lona Luo and business partner Pierce Powers III. The duo has grown the acclaimed dining concept from a stall at Soulard Farmers Market in 2008 to a nationally recognized restaurant in Fox Park, adding three James Beard Award semifinalist recognitions for Luo along the way.
The new Kirkwood restaurant, located near the St. Louis Community College–Meramec campus, hosted its first soft openings over the weekend. The grand opening includes a rice-paper ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. and features door prize giveaways, including a grand prize of a private off-menu, off-site dinner for six, hosted by Luo.
The restaurant opens Tuesday for regular hours from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. five days a week; it will be closed Sundays and Mondays.
Here’s what to know before you go…