Robust, the Webster Groves wine bar and cafe, announced today it has hired a new executive chef and a general manager. The changes are effective Aug. 2.

Kris Janik will lead the kitchen, and Frank Romano will direct the front of the house.

Janik has previously cooked at Monarch, Niche and, most recently, Franco. Romano has worked at Jazz at the Bistro, An American Place and Araka, overseeing everything from kitchen duties to wine programs.

Janik replaces Mike Morton in the Robust kitchen. Co-owner Arlene Maminta Browne said she did not know where Morton would land next, adding, "We do wish him all the best."

Robust is looking to expand beyond the Webster Groves location that opened in 2007.

"We are very pleased and excited about the continued growth of Robust and believe that with the new leadership of Kris and Frank, we will bring Robust to the next level," co-owner Stanley Browne said in a statement. "We will continue to develop and strengthen our concept as well as create other locations in the area."

And where might some of those "other locations" be? A good bet would be the Central West End, according to the last paragraph of this post from St. Louis Magazine's George Mahe.