Bistro La Floraison, Take Root Hospitality’s transportive French restaurant in Clayton, is closing its doors. The restaurant group announced the news in an email today, citing the inability to secure a lease renewal as the reason for the closure. Bistro La Floraison’s last day of service will be May 30.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share that Bistro La Floraison will be closing at the end of May,” the announcement reads. “This is not the outcome we had hoped for, and it is incredibly difficult to say goodbye to a place that has meant so much—to us, to our team, and to all of you who have filled our dining room with life, laughter, and celebration these last four years.”
Michael and Tara Gallina, co-owners of Take Root Hospitality with chef and partner Aaron Martinez, opened Bistro La Floraison in 2022, after taking over the space previously overseen by the iconic St. Louis restaurateur Zoe Robinson. Robinson had operated its predecessor, Bar Les Freres, in the charming space on Wydown from 2012 through 2020, when the pandemic forced its temporary closure. Robinson made the decision to retire and sell the restaurant along with her other concepts I Frattelini (now Wright’s Tavern) and Billie Jean (now Bar Moro); she was thrilled to entrust the Gallinas with her legacy, and they did her proud, maintaining her vision for a stylish, elegant French restaurant while infusing it with their own flair.
Under their stewardship, Bistro La Floraison became a go-to for diners interested in a taste of France without having to fly internationally. From excellent chicken cordon bleu, stunning cheeses, and positively addictive gougeres with gruyere to excellent French wines and spritzes, the Clayton spot was a definitive part of the St. Louis dining scene.
“From the very beginning, The Bistro was meant to be a small slice of Paris in the Midwest—a place to celebrate French cuisine, thoughtful hospitality, and the simple joy of gathering around the table,” the email reads. “That vision only came to life because of our extraordinary team and the community that embraced us so wholeheartedly.”
The Backstory
The Gallinas opened Vicia in 2017, after moving to Michael’s hometown of St. Louis from New York, where they worked at the acclaimed Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Under their leadership, the restaurant has received national recognition and numerous accolades, including a “Best New Restaurant” selection by Eater, Esquire, and Bon Appetit, as well as a Food & Wine “Best New Chef in America” selection for Michael and multiple James Beard Foundation nominations, including “Best New Restaurant,” “Outstanding Wine & Bar Program,” two “Best Chef Midwest” nods for Michael, two “Outstanding Restaurateur” nods for Take Root Hospitality, and an “Emerging Chef” nomination for chef de cuisine Jane Sacro Chatham. Most recently, Vicia was named as a James Beard Award finalist for Best Restaurant.
“While this chapter is coming to a close, we hope you’ll continue to support our team and our broader restaurant family at Take Root Hospitality, including Vicia and Winslow’s Table,” the email reads.”
SLM has reached out to Take Root Hospitality and will update this story as more information becomes available.
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