This week Meera and Liz discuss the annual Food and Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs feature, which this year put Stephen Pursley of Menya Rui on their list. He joins four other local chefs that have also been awarded the same honor in years past. They talked about recent dinners from Taco Buddha and also Sunday Best, which is an evolution from the now-closed Juniper from chef and owner John Perkins, which he closed in July. Finally, they talk about essential St. Louis cocktails from three bars that have helped to elevate the local cocktail culture.

Menya Rui

3453 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, 314-601-3524

Ones to Watch: Stephen Pursley

Best New Restaurants 2022: Menya Rui

Indo

1641D Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314-899-9333, https://www.indo-stl.com/

Best New Restaurants 2019: Indo

Vicia

4260 Forest Park Ave. (corner of Duncan and Boyle avenues), St. Louis, 314.553.9239

Best New Restaurants 2017: Vicia

Farmhaus

3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St. Louis, 314-647-3800

Niche Food Group

Sunday Best

4101 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, 314-329-7696

Taco Buddha

7405 Pershing Ave., University City, 314-502-9951

Planter's House

1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314-696-2603

Small Change STL

2800 Indiana Ave., St. Louis

Retreat Gastropub

3 N Sarah St., St. Louis, 314-261-4497

The Royale Food & Spirits

3132 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, 314-772-3600

Rated Test Kitchen

313 N. 11th St., St. Louis, 314-200-5866