Upscale Italy has crossed the pond and come to Westport with Basso on the Plaza, the newest addition in firmament of mega-developer Lodging Hospitality Management’s properties. For years, LHM has been reinventing the now 52-year Westport Plaza in an effort to make it one of the region’s top entertainment districts. The upscale feel was evident with the debut of 360 Westport in 2024 on the rooftop of the iconic gold tower. Now, 2025 adds to Westport’s high-end venues. It’s a place where you know you can find good Italian food and are welcomed into a dining setting unparalleled in the area. See for yourself here.

Founded in 1859, it is the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the United States and one of the most respected plant research institutions in the world. With the 2025 appointment of Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann as president and director—the first woman to hold this prestigious role—the Garden enters a bold new era, bridging its storied legacy with a forward-thinking vision for sustainability, education, and global scientific leadership. See more of the garden here.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and the Fabulous Fox announced that more than $350,000 has been raised to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’ Disaster Relief Fund, a joint initiative that included a benefit concert on June 29 at the Fabulous Fox and a related online donation effort.

Summer may be glorious, but it’s brutal on one’s hair and scalp. UV rays, chlorine, saltwater, and heat can all leave it dry, faded, brittle, or frizzy, whether it’s color-treated or not. Kiwabi, the premium Japanese scalp and hair care brand, is known for merging traditional Japanese botanical ingredients with cutting-edge science. Their haircare essentials offer an elevated line of UV-protective, damage-defying formulas that keep all hair types looking vibrant, healthy, and glossy in any climate.

At Baetje Farms, nestled in the quiet countryside of Bloomsdale, Missouri, visitors are offered more than just a tour — they are invited into a slower rhythm of life, where craft, care and connection to the land shape everything from world renowned cheese to hospitality. Although only 52 miles outside the city, in a world moving at hyper speed, Baetje Farms offers a pause where guests are embraced by a cathedral of trees and natural borders of river and wild growth.

On May 16, 2025, an EF3 tornado with winds up to 152mph hit St. Louis and put newly-elected Mayor Cara Spencer’s leadership skills to the ultimate test. Soon after the hit, Mayor Spencer would realize the extent of the damage quickly. Tree root balls the size of Mini Coopers lined the streets and sidewalks all over the city. Branches jabbed gaping holes into roofs. Cars were crushed. Live power lines crashed onto the streets and sidewalks. Citizens were injured. The tornado lasted five minutes. The recovery will take years. And years.

For ten years now, the institution (and yes, they can officially call it an institution at the decade mark) has lifted high the banner and has been the siren call that beckons all to bask in the brilliance of St. Louis’ adopted son, and arguably the greatest playwright in the nation, the inimitable Tennessee Williams. This month and next, the festival shifts into high gear with events at the St. Louis County Library, the Missouri History Museum, a CWE mansion, and the eleven day festival itself in the Grand Center Arts District.

As you globe trot this summer, you may notice that the planet is getting warmer. 2024 was the warmest year on record since 1880. Record-setting temps have swept the country in June, and St. Louis is no exception with the heat index soaring to 105 degrees or more.  It’s about to heat up a whole lot more, especially when the July/August issue of Sophisticated Living St. Louis hits your mailbox, or you pick it up at one of our advertisers. If you’re reading this, you’re probably from the Show-Me State, and as always we SHOW YOU the best in fashion, travel, cuisine, architecture, design, and philanthropic endeavors to be, well, for lack of a better word...seen.

LOVE Wine is a new collaboration that celebrates women in wine and art. Recently, J. Vineyards & Winery in Healdsburg, California, debuted LOVE Wine. It is a collaboration between the sparkling wine house and the art and design initiative grantLOVE, created by artist and philanthropist Alexandra Grant. Each new bottling of LOVE Wine will feature a unique label created in collaboration with a leading female-identified artist. Learn more here about this labor of love.

Ruth's Chris Steak House is creating its own fireworks this year with its RBAR Burger - a special grind on a brioche bun with Havarti cheese, lettuce, tomato & smoked onion aioli and signature chips accompanied by its hand-crafted Wildberry Lemonade, a red, white and blue salute to the 4th. Celebrate the 4th downtown with a view of the Independence Day fireworks, or at the Chesterfield location.

Powered by Aston Martin's new 5.2-liter V12 engine delivering 835PS and 1000Nm of torque with a top speed of 214mph, the Vanquish Volante is the fastest, most potent front-engine production car on sale today. Read and see here why it created such a stir since it made its debut in March, and it is still making waves in the industry today.

Beretta unveiled its annual one-off shotgun late last year, dedicated to Marco Polo's legacy. Made at Beretta's headquarters in Gardone Val Trompia, Italy, the shotgun is a one-of-a-kind firearm crafted on the legendary SO6 EELL Sparviere over-and-under platform. The Marco Polo PB Selection shotgun is an ode to a brave traveler who wasn't afraid to face new cultures and people. More here.

On June 5th, Joan Lipkin’s “Queer Writes 2025” at the Missouri History Museum helped launch Pride Month this year. In its third outing, the community was showcased. In 2023, the award-winning theatre artist, Lipkin, founded this out-of-the-box literary event of local LGBTQ+ writers or those with St Louis roots. It was the most ambitious production to date. “Queer Writes” is part of the Missouri History Museum’s Pride Month programming as well as its Thursday Night at the Museum series.

The national observation of Juneteeth commences with the opening of The Missouri Historical Society Tuskegee Airmen: America’s Freedom Flyers at Soldiers Memorial Military Museum on June 19. The exhibit will run through November 2, 2025. This exhibit tells the story of the first Black pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps and their courageous service during World War II. Through images and interpretive panels, Tuskegee Airmen: America’s Freedom Flyers celebrates the resilience and impact of these trailblazing servicemen who fought for freedom abroad and equality at home. Details here.

Discover the finds that New York and Paris-based certified wine specialist Vicki Denig has found while she recently scoured the globe. She shares with you here a handful of the most interesting, delicious bottles she found during her search, as well as a bit about their stories, what they taste like, and the context in which she enjoyed them, and how she thinks you'll best enjoy them, too.

A pioneer in tented safari camps, conservation-minded and amenity-rich Finch Hattons Luxury Camp in Kenya's Tsavo National Park continues to raise the bar. This 17-tent safari camp is rose to infamy in the late 1800s due to a pair of man-eating lions who preyed upon construction workers building the Kenya-Uganda Railway. Experience the beauty of the breathtaking terrain. See wild animals in their native habitat. Explore all facets of bush country. And glimpse all that Richard Branson's luxury travel brand has to offer in the family-owned resort.

Why would someone who gets seasick while snorkeling endeavor two crossings of one of the most dangerous sea passages in the world? The answer is simple: love. Not the love of seasickness, but the love of a spouse who had traveled the world and longed for an adventure in the elusive seventh continent. Experience with them incredible ice and calm seas during their cruise to Antarctica with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) and the Fabulous Fox are holding a special concert fundraiser to support the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis’s ongoing relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts following the May 16 tornado. This collaborative effort features the SLSO and members of its two resident choruses performing a variety of music on at the Fabulous Fox at 3:00pm, Sunday, June 29. Gospel and R&B singer and Grammy Award-winning vocalist BeBe Winans joins the orchestra and choruses for this community-centered special event.

Ever eaten at Eleven Eleven Mississippi, Sqwires, Little Fox, or Union 30 at Hotel St. Louis? Then make your dining experience pull double duty tomorrow. This Thursday, June 12th, Vivent Health will host Dining Out For Life, an event to raise essential healthcare funds for St. Louisans affected by HIV. More than 20 beloved area restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to HIV/AIDS care and prevention.

Artist Jeremy booth recently wrapped up his solo show, “Sweat and Blood,” at the Square One Gallery in St. Louis’ Central West End. His digital art painting in acrylic have been seen at the Marfa Invitational, and featured in Christie's 2024 Beyond the Screen exhibition and auction at Art Basel and a group exhibition at Sotheby’s NYC. His multidisciplinary work has navigated through the “Wild West” of NFTs en route to capturing the nostalgic-laden landscape of the American West on large-scale canvases.

On June 14, the Delmar Loop invites the St. Louis region to gather in honor of Juneteenth with a full day of vibrant programming, celebration, and community spirit. Stretching from morning to night, the 2025 Delmar Loop Juneteenth Celebration unites the communities of University City and St. Louis City, along with Delmar Main Street and the St. Louis Reconciliation Network, for a powerful event that transforms Delmar Boulevard into a symbol of healing and connection. Learn more here.

To kick off Pride Month 2025, That Uppity Theatre Company and Missouri History Museum will present a third Free “Queer Writes Showcase of LGBTQ+ Writers” on Thursday, June 5. Part of the goal of Queer Writes is to amplify the presence of St. Louis based or connected LGBTQ+ writers, to expand the circle and variety of representation with each version and to build on the great and historic literary legacy of St. Louis. Learn more here.

Founded in 1945 by Robert J. Trulaske Sr., along with his father, Francis Robert Trulaske Jr., and brother, Arthur Trulaske, the company began as a modest enterprise, True Manufacturing has flourished into a global leader in commercial refrigeration. The entrepreneurial spirit of the Trulaske family continued with Robert's sons, Robert J. Trulaske Jr. and Steven Lee Trulaske Sr. Today, the legacy of innovation continues with the fourth generation of Trulaskes, particularly Steven Trulaske Jr. and Kay Trulaske. Learn more about the legacy which keeps True climbing to new industry heights.

On Saturday, Ted Wight and his friends Brooke Meek and Blake Anderson did more than watch the devastation from the May 16th EF3 tornado from the comfort of their homes. They went down to one of the hardest-hit areas and put their hands to work. They took action. Now, they need YOUR help also. @brookemeekhas organized delivery of huge dumpsters that get filled up in 15 minutes. To help, please Venmo @brooke-meek-1 to help sponsor a dumpster. They are $800 each.

Just a day after the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis held their 25th Anniversary Gala, winds of the devastating May 16, 2025, EF3 tornado swept through Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Now, the show must go on. On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, just weeks after the tragedy, lovers of the Bard, legions strong will once again march across the verdant green grass of the forest in the heart of St. Louis. They will come once again, as they have been for 25 years, to see the next quarter century of the Festival begin. The Festival continues through summer.

The African Gala, hosted annually by Microfinancing Partners in Africa, was much more than just a fundraising event — it’s was powerful celebration of hope, resilience, and community. On May 3, 2025, the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri, became the epicenter of generosity and inspiration as over 400 passionate supporters gathered to champion the transformative power of microfinance in rural Africa. It was a night of inspiration, impact, and hope that left all who attended energized to make a difference for all that are passionate about poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

St. Louis’s Central West End came alive on May 1 as art and chess lovers alike gathered to celebrate the vibrant opening of Charles Houska: Master of Play at the World Chess Hall of Fame. The event marked the launch of a joyful, immersive retrospective honoring beloved local pop artist Charles “Charlie” Houska. Guests were treated to an evening of color, creativity, and community as they explored more than 75 works spanning Houska’s 30+ year career. Master of Play is on view through April 5, 2026.

At the Delmar Maker District’s Third Degree Glass on May 16, their team was focused on getting ready for Third Friday. Within seconds of hail starting, a tornado hit their building. Everyone scrambled to get to the nearest safe place, and luckily, everyone was safe. As they emerged, the devastation was all around. A week later, although all is calm, Third Degree Glass and much of the District is still in shambles. Fortunately, inventory was spared and can be purchased at Friday Sidewalk Sales and online.

When Jerry Schlichter founded the law firm Schlichter, Bogard and Denton (now Schlichter Bogard) in 1989, the intent was to represent the individual, not the corporate entity. Since then, he has gone on to make that pursuit not just words, but reality. He has gone on to tackle the world of 401(k)s and brought a landmark case to reduce fees on behalf of employees and retirees. His Arch Grants program has companies who have generated $1.2 billion in revenues and created jobs. Learn how he has spent decades making a difference.

The Missouri Chamber Music Festival presents Season 15: the spirit that moves us June 9 - 20, 2025.  The four concerts of the festival take a look at the spirit behind inspiration.  What sparks them to create, express themselves and connect?  MOCM Festival artists share diverse programs relating to this theme.  Works by Olivier Messiaen, Debussy, Turina take center stage, including the world premiere performance of “Hey Mr. Drummachine Man” by composer Eric Moe for drumset and piano. Concerts take place at Wash U. and Webster University.