When Bob Brazell and his business partners took over The Tenderloin Room in 2019, they didn’t just acquire a restaurant – they inherited a legacy. Since its debut in 1962, the iconic fine dining destination has been a celebrated fixture within the storied halls of the Chase Park Plaza at 232 Kingshighway Blvd., welcoming decades of diners, from regular St. Louis families to athletes, celebrities, musicians and even presidents. For Brazell, a born-and-raised St. Louis chef, the opportunity to carry that torch forward was nothing short of surreal.
“It’s just so iconic,” Brazell said. “We really wanted to make sure that this amazing St Louis institution was able to live on.”
Their resolve was tested almost overnight when, just months into ownership, the pandemic upended the hospitality landscape. Being located inside a hotel meant fewer options for pivoting operations, but Brazell and his team were undeterred. “Navigating a global pandemic and shutdown right after you purchase a business is without a doubt one of the most difficult things you’ll ever go through as a business owner, ” Brazell reflected. “I am very proud to say, though, that our biggest critics from the early days still dine with us today.”…