The Spirit of the Bistro with the Eclectic and Expansive Style of American Cuisine

The Bistro — In everyday French life, the Bistro is woven into the pattern of meals and celebrations—that little neighborhood restaurant where they know who you are, greet you warmly, and serve you satisfying, approachable, and interesting food that changes with the seasons and defines regional cuisine.

American cuisine — American cooking continues to transform along with the many nationalities and cultures that have made this country their home. The early influences of British, French, Spanish, and Dutch cuisine, combined with the traditions of African, Chinese, Italian, Polish, and Jewish cultures, began what we think of as “our” food. As our culture expanded, the flavors of Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, South American, and Caribbean cooking also enlivened American fare. These changes, combined with our insistence on new flavor combinations and an increasing interest in healthy cooking, have created a rich and varied culinary environment.

Banquets — Our facilities can accommodate 6-260 people. Please consider us for your wedding rehearsal, business meeting, holiday party, birthday, anniversary, wedding reception, or other special occasion! Please see our banquet information and menus.

About Sunset 44 and Bob Menendez

Missouri Life Magazine: Chef's Choice -- Chris Kramer, owner of Two Nice Guys Restaurant, nominated Bob Menendez and Sunset 44 Bistro. "Sunset 44 Bistro hopes to lure its hungry patrons with its unique American cuisine. The atmosphere is unpretentious and pleasant, and the chefs are special. I like going to a place where the chefs are tradesmen."

Stir-Fried Spinach and Chicken Confit are hits at Sunset 44 -- review, Gordon McKnight, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 5, 2008

Sunset 44 is proud to announce that it is the ONLY restaurant in the Saint Louis area that is certified by the U.S. Labor Department and the American Culinary Federation to train apprentice chefs. This highlights Bob Menendez's commitment to proper techniques, innovative cuisine, and contributing back to the community of which Sunset 44 is a part. We welcome the fresh new faces into our industry, and look forward to sharing our fine traditions and skills.

Bob Menendez was featured in an article about cranberries in Nation's Restaurant News, a leading industry publication. He discussed his famous creation of pork tenderloin with cranberry chutney. He emphasized how the cranberries should not be overcooked to preserve the texture and "pop" of this fruit. Nation's Restaurant News is the primary source of foodservice news, trends, and information to the foodservice community. Read the article now (PDF)!

Bob Menendez on Television Again!
Bob Menendez, Chef and Owner of Sunset 44 Bistro & Banquet Center, was featured on Channel 5 KMOX on Monday, June 4, 2007. He demonstrated the recipe and preparation of his Honduran Scallop Ceviche. Watch it now!

New Desserts at Sunset 44
Bob Menendez owner and Chef of Sunset 44 traveled to Florida to work with Ewald Notter. He is known worldwide for his exquisite craftsmanship and unique teaching style. He has worked and competed in over 10 countries, winning 15 gold medals, including gold with distinction at the 1984 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany and the Gold Medal with Diploma at the International World Cake Fair in Yokoma, Japan. Bob will bring back many new ideas and presentations for Sunset 44's Summer Dessert Menu.

Our Pan Seared Pork Medallions with Cranberry Ginger Chutney has been selected for inclusion in the new cookbook, "Special Requests: 100 Favorite Restaurant Recipes from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch." We are honored to be about this new cookbook available from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Watch Bob Menendez on Television!
On Monday, December 4, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m., Chef Bob Menendez prepared his Pan Seared Pork Medallions with Cranberry Ginger Chutney on Everybody Cooks on KMOV-TV Channel 4. Watch it now! (MPEG, 68 MB) or Real Media.

New Banquet and Enhanced Bistro Facilities - We have a beautiful new banquet center, accomodating up to 150 guests. It is equipped with A/V systems, plasma screens, surround sound and LCD projectors, a dance floor. It makes a perfect spot for weddings, showers, rehearsals, receptions, anniversaries, seminards, graduation parties, business meeting, reunions, and more. We also now have complimentary wireless internet access throughout the entire establishment.

"Sunset 44" (review) - Mary Little, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 12, 2005 -- includes recipe for mixed greens salad with goat cheese

SPECIAL REQUEST: Sunset 44 restaurant shifts to a bistro style - Mary Billings, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/08/2005 -- includes recipe for pork tenderloin with cranberry-ginger chutney