We Are Cortex | Michael Gallina

For chef and restaurateur Michael Gallina, innovation happens every day in the kitchen — but that’s not where it starts. It’s driven by the ingredients he has to work with, and that could mean a new set of inspiration every day.

The results could be a butternut squash rotolo with ricotta, rosemary, brown butter and a truffle vinaigrette at Vicia, his local-first, vegetable-forward flagship restaurant in Cortex. Or it could be a roasted mushroom taco with oyster mushrooms, almond mole and charred scallion crema from Taqueria Morita — also in Cortex.

“Innovation comes with just seeing what comes in from the farmers each day, pulling everything out and tasting and smelling the different ingredients,” Gallina said. “We're excited about being innovative with different dishes and vegetables people aren't used to seeing or tasting — and creating a fun dish that makes it more approachable. ”

Both restaurants are part of Gallina’s acclaimed Take Root Hospitality group. Since opening in 2017, Vicia has received four stars from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a semi-finalist nomination from the James Beard Foundation for Best New Restaurant 2018, and a Best New Restaurant in America nod by Eater, Esquire and Bon Appetit.

For Gallina, that spirit of innovation extends to the garden surrounding Vicia. From the start, he was excited by the idea of giving his guests more insight into what’s on the menu. They could take guests for a little walk to see and taste the herb they found on their plate — this is what it is, and this is how it tastes in its natural form.

Gallina's journey began in St. Louis, inspired by his grandparents' passion for cooking. He pursued his culinary dreams at the California Culinary Academy and honed his skills at renowned area restaurants, which instilled the importance of farm-to-table dining and forging connections with local farmers.

When Gallina and his wife, Tara, decided to open their own restaurant, they were drawn to the energy of the St. Louis food scene. Gallina emphasizes that collaboration is key to their success, with his team playing a crucial role in menu development and providing exceptional service. Being part of the Cortex community means being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share a passion for innovation and pushing boundaries.

“We try to be just like the community that we're in,” Gallina said. “One of the things that drew us to Cortex was the innovation, the creativity that's down here.”

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