What’s New In The Lou with Alexis Zotos

What makes St. Louis and the Midwest so special? The Mound City Film Festival is bringing those stories to the big screen and creating an experience that goes far beyond the movies. In Episode 62, Alexis Zotos explores the Mound City Film Festival, returning for its second year as a one-day celebration of the people, creativity, landscapes and ideas that make this region unique. On Saturday, November 7, 2026, the festival brings together local, regional and national filmmakers for a festival ...

St. Louis has a rich food scene, and few families have helped shape it quite like the Tran family. From the beloved Vietnamese restaurant Mai Lee to the ramen and Vietnamese-inspired dishes at Nudo House, Qui Tran is carrying on a family legacy while making his own mark on the local dining scene. In Episode 61, Alexis Zotos sits down with Qui Tran to talk about growing up in the restaurant business, the story behind Mai Lee, and how he brought his own vision to life with Nudo House. Qui share...

What happens when a career in film and television leads you to hydroponic farming? For Josh Smith, it led to Neon Greens, a farm-to-table salad spot in St. Louis with a bigger mission behind it. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with Josh to talk about his unexpected journey and how it all comes down to his love of storytelling. Neon Greens in The Grove neighborhood of St. Louis features a connected greenhouse where they grow the majority of the lettuce featured in their salads. Josh shar...

For decades, Kaldi’s Coffee has been part of the St. Louis coffee scene, growing from a local coffee shop into a beloved regional brand while staying rooted in the community. In Episode 59, Alexis Zotos sits down with owners Tricia Zimmer Ferguson and Tyler Zimmer to talk about the story behind Kaldi’s, what it’s like to build a family-owned business, and how the company has evolved over the years. Tricia and Tyler share their perspective on the changing coffee industry, what makes St. Louis ...

It’s been 10 years since Nathaniel Reid opened the doors to his namesake bakery, creating some of St. Louis’ most celebrated pastries, breads and desserts. In Episode 58, Alexis Zotos sits down with owner and baker Nathaniel Reid to talk about his journey in the baking world, why he ultimately chose to move back to St. Louis, and what has kept him here for the past decade. Nathaniel also gives Alexis a look at what’s coming to the bakery this fall, from seasonal flavors and favorites to what ...