Get ready for a glimpse into the upcoming concept, as Good Company teams up with California’s agave expert Hugo Gonzalez for a unique five-course mezcal pairing dinner on Wednesday, December 18. Here’s all you need to know about this exclusive dining event and the restaurant it will preview.
The Mezcal Pairing Dinner
This immersive dining event presents five culinary dishes inspired by various regions, crafted by Chef Jon Priestly from Good Company, showcasing what’s to come from Chico Bueno. Each dish is paired with either a mezcal flight curated by Hugo Gonzalez or a specialty cocktail designed by Diego Gonzalez, the Bar Manager at Good Company:
- Molotes – featuring chorizo and potatoes accompanied by salsa morita and crema, complemented by Posada Punch (Cuish Espadin, lime, agave, and soda), honoring the Mexican celebration that depicts Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter before Jesus’ birth.
- Tostadas de ceviche – red snapper, pipián rojo, smoked onion, dried tomato, and pickled cucumber served with a flight of Lamata, the export label from Nación de Las Verdes Matas (Cenizo, Bacanora, de Castilla).
- Barbacoa Chihuahuense – a quesadilla accompanied by salsa verde, salsa de chile de árbol, and consommé, paired with a flight from the exclusive Cumbrita de la Sierra brand (Lechuguilla, Lechuguilla and Chawi, and Lechuguilla and Sotol).
- Carnitas enchiladas – featuring mole negro, queso fresco, pickled red onion, chicharrones, and cilantro, paired with a Cuish flight (Pichumétl, Mexicano, and Jabali).
- Buñuelos – crispy fried dough pastries served with cajeta ice cream, pasas borrachas (“drunken raisins”), and spiced almonds, paired with a Cornchata (corn whiskey, Nixta corn liqueur, Cuish Espadin, orgeat, cream, coconut, and egg).
The dinner will commence at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, at Good Company (4317 Manchester). Tickets are priced at $125 and include all food and beverage pairings. Reservations are limited and can be made online.
The Restaurant Concept
“Chico Bueno is a concept that has been on my mind for quite some time,” states Owner Jordan Goodman. The establishment will highlight agave cocktails alongside contemporary Mexican cuisine in an inviting setting that will resonate with patrons of his other venues, Good Company and Aperi.
Good Company, launched in May 2024 in The Grove, is a cocktail bar and restaurant overseen by Goodman and Kyle Gillespie, who also runs the boutique ice company Good Ice. This past September, Goodman introduced the European-style bar Aperi within the same building as Good Company. The intimate 600-square-foot space seats 24 guests and features a Mediterranean-inspired menu, offering amaro, spritzes, and a selection of wines available by the glass or bottle.
The architectural design for Chico Bueno is being managed by the St. Louis-based firm studioDVLP. Their preliminary designs showcase an open layout adorned with Southwestern tones and vibrant greenery along the walls.
Goodman expresses his enthusiasm for unveiling this mezcal-infused vision to local diners. “It’s a concept we currently lack in St. Louis,” he shares, “and I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally bring it to life.”
