Image credit: Mad Tomato

Making delicious food is a passion for Mad Tomato’s Executive Chef and owner, Vito Racanelli. When he talks about his dishes there is no mistaking that what you order at his restaurant was created with a Nonna’s care and discerning hands. And now that Racanelli has left his partnership at Onesto’s Pizza and Trattorria, an announcement that the chef made public on January 30, he has the time to focus all of his passion and excitement on the menu and new programs that were recently launched at Mad Tomato.

Community involvement is a common theme you’ll see with many restaurants like Mad Tomato who prescribe to the farm to table movement-and Mad Tomato is poised to take that idea one step further. Starting in February the restaurant is stepping up efforts to serve local charities (pun’s are awesome). During 2012 Mad Tomato is making a drive to raise $10,000 to benefit local charities, and as an extension of this effort they will be hosting special public dining events each month, during which 20% of the day’s dining bills will be donated to local charity partners and will be stepping up their private dining communal table efforts. The first public event is set for February 8 and benefits Caring for Kids, and with another public dining event set for March 29 to benefit Circus Flora.

There are some pretty exciting changes coming to the menu as well…every six weeks. Since breaking with Onesto, Racanelli has more time to dedicate to developing the culinary goals of Mad Tomato, and he explained that since he is actively involved with the kitchen and menu he knows that cooking the same thing for six weeks gets pretty boring-for everyone from cooks to diners. Their new menus will be printed every six weeks and will include a calendar for all upcoming charitable events.

And the restaurant’s dedication to locally sourced, simple ingredients and responsible environmental practices will continue to grow right along with all of the changes. In fact Racanelli said he is hoping to one day be able to make all of the charcuterie for the restaurant if the space were to open up.

Of the charitable efforts Racanelli stated, “Mad Tomato is dedicated to giving back to the community. I have always wanted to do something like this, something that directly helps those in need. I feel a responsibility to share my good fortune of doing what I love to support local non-profit organizations.”

Harry Freund, a former certified financial advisor, will tell you that he had a vision, an epiphany, about three years ago. In that vision he saw himself serving shaved ice among twinkling lights at the once standing Fox Photo store in front of the vacant Chili’s location on Manchester.  Two years later, on May 1, 2010, that vision became a reality a few miles farther down Manchester Road at a restaurant aptly named Mr. Harry’s Carnival Foods.

Walking into the store is like walking into a child’s dream, with fun circus decorations and small novelty candies (perfect stocking stuffers at Christmas or basket fillers at Easter), with a game area where you can play checkers, Boggle or even mini Whack-A-Mole.

Located one mile east of Clarkson Road in Ballwin, you can find Harry, his wife Linda, and their twin daughters serving carnival-inspired foods, such as cotton candy, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, and all of the free popcorn your heart desires.

If you are in the mood for something more substantial, they also offer a full range of generously sized sandwiches, and homemade sides. The recently began serving up BBQ platters as well when the Freunds began a partnership Jim and Mary Randall of ASAP Barbecue in November of last year. The Randall’s prepare their award-winning barbecue in a mobile trailer on site.

Crave beer while indulging in delicious barbecue? Lucky for your, Mr. Harry’s Carnival Foods recently acquired their liquor license. In addition to one of the most extensive shaved ice menus you’ll find anywhere, you’ll find a strictly adults-only version ‘snowtini’ for your dining pleasure.

ASAP Barbecue and Mr. Harry’s provide  catering services. Whether you are looking for a fun circus themed meal, or maybe something a bit more adult-friendly, Mr. Harry’s tailors meals to their customers needs.

Last fall, I partnered with Harry to provide free shaved ice to the children in my kids’ school as part of a fundraising effort.  He also provided funnel cakes at the Vacation Bible School program my kids attended last summer at his church.

Need a jump-start to summer? I recommend stopping into Mr. Harry’s Carnival Foods where his slogan is “Where Summer Never Ends.”  You’ll be glad you did!

Bonnie received no compensation or free product in exchange for this review.

Bonnie Krueger  lives with her family in West County. In 2009, she began her first random musings blog Inside My Head . A second blog devoted solely to the memory and unique story of her mom’s childhood and internment in a concentration camp after WWII is found at Heart Speaks. She can also be found on Wednesdays on Patch’s Mom Talk and on Twitter @BonnieLOK.

Are you a big coupon collector? My dear friend Melissa recently sent me a link to a great site that lists lots of coupons for St. Louis restaurants and attractions. Click on over and take a gander.

Many locally owned and brand name restaurants in St. Louis offer kids eat free meal deals with the purchase of a regularly priced adult meal. Please call individual restaurants for more details and to verify promotions.

Visit KidsMealDeals.com for deals in your area.