New Restaurant Wednesday: It's a Family Affair at twinOak Wood Fired Fare

Opened in June 2011 in Brentwood, twinOak Wood Fired Fare originally debuted under the moniker Taste Wood Fired Fare. Inspired by the twin brothers who would own and operate the restaurant and the wood oven that would provide their artisan pizzas, they officially changed the name and opened their doors as twinOak Wood Fired Fare on June 13th.

The co-owners and managing partners in charge of both the operations and the 8500 pound, custom built Renato oven are twin brothers Casey and Curt Friedrichs. Graduates of Lafayette High School, Casey and Curt left St. Louis for Florida State University where they learned from industry leaders at the Dedman School of Hospitality. After working for the Hillstone Restaurant Group in California and scouting locations in Dallas and Chicago, Curt and Casey decided to return home and introduce their hometown to the versatility of wood fired food. 

The custom built, 8500 pound Renato oven uses infrared heating and is digitally controlled for maximum efficiency. 

Voted “Best Pizza in Mid-County” in the Maplewood-Brentwood Patch “Food Fight” poll in early January, twinOak is best known for their specialty pizzas, but they also serve seafood, steaks, and salads and recently partnered with the Six Row Brewing Company to host a three-course dinner and beer pairing event. Besides their food, the interior of twinOak is classy and inviting without being stuffy and pretentious. 

Take my recommendation and order "The Classic" signature pizza or  the prosciutto and arugula specialty pizza (pictured above.) Delish!

Besides Curt and Casey, twinOak truly keeps it all in the family with their father, Kirkwood business owner Bill “Freddie” Friedrichs often seen working at the host stand and greeting patrons. St. Louisans can also watch Curt’s wife, meteorologist Bree Smith on KSDK as part of the First Alert Weather Team.  

Find out why they say “The Wood Makes it Good” during twinOak Time from 4:00pm – 6:00pm Tuesday through Friday, like their page on Facebook, and follow them on twitter.

Special thanks to Casey Friedrichs for sitting down to an interview and explaining twinOak’s business model and future plans.