Truffles restaurant in Ladue has hired Aleksandar "Aleks" Jovanovic as its new general manager and sommelier.

Jovanovic, who hails from the former Yugoslavia, is a restaurant-industry veteran who has managed front-of-house operations and wine programs for star chef Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans and, most recently, at Hubert Keller's SLeeK Steakhouse in St. Louis' Lumière Place.

After SLeeK closed in January, Jovanovic helped oversee the space's transformation to the new Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, which opens this month. He started at Truffles on Friday.

Truffles chef John Griffiths says he sought out Jovanovic because of his customer-service skills and wine knowledge.

"Aleks is very well-traveled and has an incredible knowledge of wine," Griffiths says. "He's part of this new breed of sommeliers who can find really interesting wines from up-and-coming regions. We think he's going to help us take our already diverse, deep wine list and help make it even better."

For more on Truffles, pick up Friday's Go! magazine or check stltoday.com/dining to read Joe Bonwich's latest review.