St. Louis Dining with Distances from Hotel

St. Louis Dining

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse - St. Louis
1855 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131
Steak.

Mosaic - St. Louis
1101 Lucas Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63101
Located in central loft district on Washington Avenue, this modern fusion restaurant is an eye-pleasing mix of black tables, exposed ductwork, high ceilings, tall windows and a beautifully designed curvaceous freestanding bar with exquisite black galaxy grite top. Beneath that striking display of wall art, a row of Bunsen burner-style candelabra anchors a small lounge area with seating pillows along a bamboo bench and a pair of lounge chairs. Owner/Chef Claus Schmitz, a German native and veteran of European, American and especially Pacific Rim cuisine offers up such delights as Mosaic potstickers filled with tender suckling pork, rabbit potpie, chili fried calamari, tuna tartar, freshwater prawns, oysters on the half shell & many more. (Description provided by Opentable.com)

Portabella
15 North Clayton, Clayton, MO 63105
Italian.

Truffles - St. Louis
9202 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
Continental.

Aesop's Café
6611 Clayton Rd., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.727.0809
There are as many varieties of hummus as there are sun-lit villages in the Middle East and Mediterranean. At Aesop's Cafe, you get close to what must be the mother and father of all hummus. Prepared fresh every other morning by Mohamod Abadi, Sherry Rouhani or Mohsen Rouhani, this hummus is no appetizer tease, no runny beige spread. Served in porridge bowls, with a tablespoon and a pile of delicate pita triangles, all glazed with olive oil and basil and toasted until hot to the touch, the dish is a meal. It metamorphoses from day to day: sometimes chunky, emphasizing roasted red peppers, green olives, pearls of chopped garlic; sometimes custard-creamy and as orange as a Frisbee in summer, with a sweet fragrance like a split pomegranate; sometimes tangy, not quite pink, with just a trace of lemon juice lapping at the edges. The portions are embarrassingly generous, served as if diners were the prodigal children of the owners. The hummus can be married well with a side salad -- for a better sub-$3 salad, you'd have to grow your own -- or the vibrant tabbouleh or rich baba ghanoush or the spicy tomato-zucchini soup. Don't forget Aesop's herbal iced tea, a matchless refreshment for a palate sated by the last garlicky lick of that astonishing hummus-coated spoon.

Al's
1200 N. 1st, St. Louis MO 63102; Tel. 314.421.6399
Buried in a remote area east of downtown and north of Laclede's Landing, this classic steakhouse's décor defined elegance in about 1970 and hasn't changed much since. Nor have the steaks, chops and seafood, which are still promoted at each table by way of a "presentation" menu of the actual massive portions and cuts, available basic-grilled or with rich classical sauces. Still a great place for a pampered gorging.

Annie Gunn's
16806 Chesterfield Airport Rd., St. Louis MO 63017 ; Tel. 636.532.7684
Chef Lou Rook's imaginative cooking makes this a castle fit for a king. Specialties such as smoked trout come from the adjacent Smoke House Market, but Rook is at his best mixing and matching things such as jumbo lump crab and andouille cakes with chipotle aioli or swordfish with pancetta and corn salsa. There's also a wide selection of burgers and sandwiches. The 300-label wine list is a recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Bar Italia
13 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.361.7010
There are plenty of fish stories, but of those that pertain particularly to dinner, perhaps none is so poignant as that of the great Vatel, maître d'hôtel of Louis XIV's cousin, who in 1671 fell on his own sword when a seafood shipment failed to arrive in time for an important fê te. If the dish he'd planned to serve was half as good as the grilled fish at Bar Italia, M. Vatel's suicide was well advised. We reveal no secrets in asserting that Bar Italia's stock-in-trade has always been attention to freshness and a healthy suspicion of affectation. Nowhere is this doctrine more successfully realized than in the daily seafood offering. It is Bar Italia's policy to select the freshest fish available and present it simply, often with no greater embellishment than a swish of olive oil and a light dusting of herbs. The result, accompanied by seasonal vegetables that themselves surpass your most delirious expectations, is consistently unimpeachable. We don't presume to guess whether hara-kiri figures prominently at the stoves of this, one of our city's best kitchens, but we do know that this CWE bistro can really grill a grouper.

Bobby's
7401 Manchester, St. Louis MO 63143; Tel. 314.644.3995
Walk into Bobby's and leave Midwestern humdrum behind for the French Quarter. A festive, jazzy clangor wafts from the bar into the main dining room. Here you'll find trees, fountains and Spanish moss that evoke a Bourbon Street sidewalk. Though classic Delta preparations such as turtle soup, gumbo and a blackened fish du jour form the backbone of the menu, chef Barbara Suberi doesn't hesitate to twist the idiom into more eclectic shapes: a wonderfully aromatic basil-stuffed chicken breast or an alligator spring roll (surely the weirdest side dish in all Maplewood).

Café Balaban
405 N. Euclid St. Louis, MO 63108; Tel. 314.361.8085
One of the CWE's most venerable hotspots, Balaban's is really three destinations in one. Pink mood lighting in the noisy bar flatters you and the trendy West Endies jockeying for position on a weekend eve. From there you can proceed either to the enclosed sidewalk cafe (if you want to see) or the luxe inner sanctum of the dining room (if you want to be seen). Either way, the food is consistently excellent. Raw oysters practically dance out of their shells, and if you still have room after a bowl of decadently rich cucumber bisque, savor the barbecued salmon or the renowned signature dish, beef Wellington.

Café Natasha
6623 Delmar St. Louis, MO 63130 ; Tel. 314.727.0419
This serene dining room in the middle of the Loop's bustle is an oasis of unexpected delights -- how often do you find a shaker of ground sumac on your table? If you've never had Persian food before, your server will gladly walk you through the menu, which alerts you to the more traditional Persian preparations, such as a simple but refreshing appetizer of parsley sprigs, feta, radishes and scallion. Everything here is yummy, but make damn sure someone at your table orders the peerless, peppery lamb chops.

Chez Leon
4580 Laclede Ave., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.361.1589
It certainly took a lot of Gaul to open up a restaurant like this in the Central West End. If you're not privileged enough to pop over to France on a regular basis, at least now you can stroll the Avenue Laclede whenever you feel like it and experience many of the same sights, sounds and smells you'd find a couple thousand miles away. Not only is Chez Leon a perfect architectural emulation of something off a side street in Paris, it also brings together the culinary dream team of Eddie Neill (of Café Provençal and Eddie's Steak and Chop), chef Claude Courtoisier and Leon Bierbaum, whose local career has spanned everything from waiter at the Cheshire Inn to one of the top wine experts in town at Cheshire Cellars and 9-0-5 to concierge at the Majestic Hotel. Steak frites, choucroute, pâtés, great wines, tartes, even an authentic bouillabaisse now and then -- all the classics of the sidewalks of Paris and many other parts of France are now available without the jet lag.

Citizen Kane's
133 W. Clinton, St. Louis MO 63122; Tel. 314.965.9005
The name is in fact the owner's last name, and the 1880s Victorian mansion that houses this classic steakhouse doesn't overdo the tie-in with its selection of movie memorabilia. The menu is dominated by steaks and chops, but there's also a stately chicken Xanadu, as well as a daily fresh-fish special and the "Daily Inquirer" special. The fish is on the same high-quality plane as the meat, and although nothing on the menu really pushes the envelope in terms of innovation, that's not what you go to a steakhouse for anyway.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

The Crossing
7823 Forsyth, St. Louis MO 63105; Tel. 314.721.7375
One of the best restaurants in St. Louis, this 70-seat Clayton establishment is the homecoming of chef Jim Fiala, who met co-chef/owner Cary McDowell at the renowned Restaurant Daniel in New York. The restaurant's name indicates an intersection of French and Italian influences, which means everything from chilled fruit soups to fresh fish with innovative sauces to Limousin beef. Vegetables are treated as integral elements rather than secondary side dishes, and even the desserts illustrate impeccable attention to detail.

Eau
212 N. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.454.9000
It's always rewarding to see an old landmark rise from the dead, and the pièce de résistance of the resurrection of the Chase Park Plaza has been the dining room of the "bistro" side of Eau, a soaring, airy space of muted reds, greens and beiges that -- along with Rob Uyemura's clever, inventive menu -- has re-established the Chase as a social and culinary focal point in St. Louis. Simply put, it's just a lot of fun to sit in the middle of this ornate, old-fashioned salon of a dining room.

Fio's La Fourchette
7515 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.863.6866
How did the soufflés at Fio's La Fourchette become the restaurant's signature dessert? "Probably because they're so good," quips chef Fio Antognini. "Very few restaurants offer soufflés," he explains, "and we have 25 flavors that we rotate on the menu." Indeed, calls to eight French restaurants in St. Louis revealed that none had soufflés on the menu. A manager at Café de France, however, said that the chef would gladly make a soufflé for any customer who requested one. Soufflés are always on Fio's menu, and every year, in March, the restaurant has a month long soufflé festival. One day each week, three soufflés are featured as desserts or appetizers. Diners can order fruit flavors such as lime, banana and orange, sweet flavors such as chocolate-hazelnut, pistachio and caramel/white chocolate, and savory soufflés such as one laden with mushrooms, garlic and Gruyere cheese. Antognini even prepares a wild-game soufflé, made with venison, wild boar, pheasant, partridge and other game.

Giovanni's
5201 Shaw St. Louis, MO 63110; Tel. 314.772.5958
Giovanni's is the ultimate Hill experience: very intimate, very Italian and very expensive. You will encounter nothing here that is not impeccable. The squadron of deferential waiters is vigilant without being pesky. They'll bring you bow-tie pasta with smoked salmon in a feather-light Alfredo sauce or a first-rate rack of lamb garnished with vegetables. Dim lights, gilt-framed paintings and glittering table settings form an elegant backdrop for both the romantic third date and the expense-account business dinner.

Hangook Kwan
1261 Castillon Arcade Plaza, St. Louis MO 63141; Tel. 314.878.8893
Also known as Korea House, the restaurant offers everything from basic kun man doo (dumplings) and bulgoki (Korean barbecued beef) to more exotic stuff such as elaborate soup dishes based on tripe and intestines. There's also plenty of pan chan, a selection of side dishes in small round bowls, including bean sprouts lightly dressed in sesame oil; lightly sauced seaweed; the ubiquitous kimchee, pickled cabbage liberally dosed with hot red pepper; and a preparation of dried squid with overtones of ham or bacon.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Hungry Buddha
1403 Washington Avenue, St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.421.7889
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that Blake Brokaw is some sort of genius, if only for the heavenly Hungry Buddha, which cranks out stir-fry weekdays on Washington Avenue. And you don't have to be a genius to not look like an idiot here, either: The concept's basic -- as most brilliant ideas are: Provide some stir-fry fixins -- sprouts, veggies, 'shrooms, nuts, herbs, chiles. Offer them buffet style. Customer plops his fixins of choice into his bowl, sneeze guard between his disease-ridden self and the goods, and when he's done piling produce onto his plate, he presents the package to the pretty princess of the register, who then asks, "Which sauce, kind sir?" You reply, depending on your mood: "I think I'll have ... (Szechuan, peanut, barbecue, black bean, sweet and sour)." "What kind of meat?" You reply: "I do not partake in the wanton slaughter of helpless animals, thank you very much, so I'll be having my entrée sans bloody death. You keep your chicken, beef, shrimp, pork. I'll have tofu." "What kind of base?" You reply: rice, noodles or broth. Then you pay her and go sit while stir-fryers stir-fry the ingredients, add the sauce, sizzle the whole shebang and whisk it, piping hot, right to your table.

Jimmy's Café on the Park
706 DeMun St. Louis, MO 63105; Tel. 314.725.8585
Tucked into the urban oasis known as the DeMun neighborhood, just west of Forest Park, Jimmy's kitchen has a sense of whimsy but achieves some serious results with clever variations. "Crash cakes" use scallops and salmon instead of the traditional lump crab; a signature dish called "java tenderloin" is tenderloin of beef rolled in freshly ground amaretto coffee and served with a maple-chipotle glaze.

King Louie's
3800 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis MO ; Tel. 314.865.3662
The most accomplished King Louie's diners -- and there are a lot of them -- understand the idea of pacing and have realized the necessity of restraint, even when they're popping pommes frites, shoveling in salad and biting into delicate baby ribs. First, don't eat the bread -- or, if you must, avoid eating more than one slice. It's a valuable waste of space, and you've got a specific destination in mind, one that dictates careful planning: dessert. If you're not careful -- and you usually aren't -- you're gonna ruin it. Second, make sure you drink a lot of wine, because then, even if you are stuffed, you can be easily swayed. So: bread, a little; wine, a lot. Armed with this knowledge, bring on the sugar: Grandma Petty's Warm Apple Walnut Cake; flourless chocolate cake, right now being served with a gooseberry (oh, call it love) compote; Warm Turkish Apricot Almond Tartlet, which is a vision that even the most bloated can't resist. These are the creations of Helen Petty, who's helmed the King Louie's dessert station for nearly a year. Petty, who was one of the masterminds behind the Chocolate Bar -- itself slobberingly good -- knows when to stop with the sugar already and understands balance and subtlety but still seems to appreciate a good old-fashioned chocolate-induced orgasm. Oh, and you should probably order a glass of port as well.

Luciano's Trattoria
172 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton MO; Tel. 314.863.9969
Luciano's is not only the best new restaurant in town, it's also the most improved new restaurant. Opening the place was a mammoth undertaking -- it has 7,000 square feet of space and seats 235 diners. But when the restaurant debuted in June 2002, after just three months of construction, we were awed by the spare, harmonious food that emerged from the kitchen of chef Marc Del Pietro and pastry chef Sheryl Sherman. But the cavernous dining room, the backdrop for all that wonderful food, was at once grand and lowbrow, the way J-Lo's mansion in Woodland Hills might look. The décor had a cold sort of opulence that the architects dubbed "timeless" because it had no identifiable style. But now silkscreen prints and oil paintings give the room the sedate beauty of an art gallery. But it's really not the knowledgable pampering or the swank surroundings that draw us to Luciano's. It's the food. Del Pietro cooks with graceful assurance, never crowding a dish with too many fussy ingredients. He knows how to put a good sear on a grouper, make a velvety beurre nantais and use restraint with obnoxious herbs such as rosemary and tarragon. Del Pietro's approach is complemented by the clever work of Sherman. She, too, avoids ornate creations that do nothing but muddle perfectly good flavors. Her desserts, poised and tasteful, have an Italian flair without descending into the tried-and-trite.

Maharaja
14424 Manchester St. Louis, MO 63011; Tel. 636.386.4634
Maharaja offers vibrant Indian food punctuated with exotic spices. Many of the dishes, including seafood, chicken and lamb entrées, are roasted in a kilnlike tandoor oven and served with fragrant basmati rice. Begin with an appetizer of samosas, puffy pastries filled with potatoes, peas and onions. Then try hariali tikka, a yogurt-marinated chicken dish, and an order of warm naan, teardrop-shaped bread baked in the tandoor. The menu also includes many pleasing vegetarian items. Maharaja lacks a distinctive décor, but the surroundings matter little when the kitchen turns out food this intriguing.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Meriwether's
Missouri History Museum, St. Louis MO ; Tel. 314.361.7313
With sweeping glass walls looking out onto the northern edge of the magnificent park, Meriwether's is a perfect spot to fuel up before or after a stroll, golf game, museum browse or other means of enjoying the best public park in America. It also doesn't hurt that the only MetroLink stop directly adjacent to the Park is only a couple of blocks away.

Mickey's
1113 Pine St., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.621.8881
Decent seafood may be as rare as a four-carat diamond in St. Louis, but there's no shortage of good burgers in virtually every quadrant of the city and county, in such places as South St. Louis, University City and out west in Chesterfield. But even if you think you know who cooks up the best burgers in town, you've been missing out if you haven't hit Mickey's, a downtown restaurant with a massive wooden bar, big booths and friendly service. Here, they sprinkle some savory seasoning on a hefty patty before grilling, and it makes all the difference in the world. Try one of these juicy burgers topped with crumbled blue cheese. You'll be back for more.

Miso on Meramec
16 N. Meramec St. Louis, MO 63105; Tel. 314.863.7888
One of the most visually elaborate restaurants in Clayton, Miso serves an eclectic mixture of sushi and pan-Asian dishes amid brushed stainless steel, deep-blue walls. Beautiful people sip martinis or selections from the list of domestic and imported sake. It¹s possible to go cheap or drop a bundle, with several well-made noodle dishes on the low end and pan-roasted quail and seven-spice tuna among the shareable dishes priced in the midteens. Fabulous house-made sorbets and ice creams.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Modesto
5257 Shaw St. Louis, MO 63110; Tel. 314.772.8272
The first full-scale authenically Spanish tapas bar in town in a long time is brash and fairly loud but also very good; even all the wines and cheeses are imported from Spain. A couple dozen choices are offered to mix and match, but paella and a short list of dinner entrées are also offered. The menu's offerings remain in your face with many of the flavorings -- chiles in the desserts, balsamic vinegar on the melon and chocolate and orange on a shrimp tapa.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Pho Grand
3195 S. Grand St. Louis, MO 63118 ; Tel. 314.664.7435
The undisputed progenitor of St. Louis Vietnamese cuisine. Thrifty dilettantes flock here for pungent jolts of fish sauce and cilantro. If you're not ready for pig's feet, the bun thit nuong (vermicelli with pork) is a good place to start. For a garlic fix, go for the "shaking beef." This is the place that institutionalized the elaborate but mandatory Vietnamese iced-coffee ritual.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Provisions Bistro
7443 Forsyth St. Louis, MO 63105; Tel. 314.727.6833
Both owned by the excellent Wine and Cheese Place, Provisions is distinguished from the old Grenache (the former occupant of this urbane Clayton storefront) by a new name, a new wine bar and a new menu. A great wine list and a striking interior add interest to warhorse entrees such as coq au vin. Completing the switch from Mediterranean to casual-American dishes are ³comfort food² selections including meatloaf and pot roast. Even if you don¹t try the deliciously pungent smoked shrimp wontons or the beef fillet with a sophisticated brandy-peppercorn sauce, don¹t miss the Cabrales peaches; this dish of warm fruit with a chunk of Spanish blue cheese drizzled with honey is a triumph of flavor and simplicity.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

R.L. Steamers
14156 Olive, St.Louis MO 63017; Tel. 314.439.8060
What started out as a small Dogtown seafood-focused storefront is now a 100-seater with adjoining retail store in the heart of Chesterfield. If you prefer fish prepared simply, go elsewhere, because Steamers¹ preparation is fancy, with tropical salsas, Middle Eastern-style preserved lemons, Oriental noodles and even (gasp!) a red-wine sauce to counterpoint the particularly full-bodied and meaty monkfish.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Racanelli's
6655 Delmar Boulevard, University City MO; Tel. 314.727.7227
Perhaps no food is the subject of more sizzling debates than pizza. You seldom hear expressions of warm feeling or heated opinion on the subject of, say, tuna salad, but pizza -- believed by some to have evolved from Middle Eastern flatbread -- seems to pluck at some particularly primal string in the human culinary consciousness. Between the orgiastic Chicago deep-dish, the avant-garde artisan focaccia and the crackery St. Louis-style are a slew of notable variations, but none so closely approaches the Platonic ideal of pizza as the New York pie. This classic artfully manipulates the critical crust-to-cheese ratio to achieve maximum enjoyment of both elements. Its quintessential representative in St. Louis is Racanelli's; they'll make your hand-tossed pie to order, bake it in a brick oven and never, ever try to poison you with Provel cheese. And they're open every day, which is precisely when you need a slice.

Riddle's Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar
6307 Delmar St. Louis, MO 63130; Tel. 314.725.6985
Weighing in at a hefty 330-plus selections, Riddle's wine list is among the most comprehensive anywhere. But Riddle's is not just for lovers of the grape: Chef/owner Andy Ayers is all about big flavors. Peppered with Cajun allusions and ranging from burgers to the signature shrimp Sara, the menu has something for everyone. You can't go wrong with the filet mignon marchand de vin and a side of "magical" garlic potatoes. Live music in the bar can be overwhelming, so if your agenda is cozy conversation, get a table in the backroom.

Rossino's
206 N. Sarah St., St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.371.7774
Pizza Charlie died after 38 years on the job, and Salad Annie passed on after 25 years. Their culinary work, however, is carried on by a new generation of kitchen employees. Rossino's has three strong points to recommend it: great food, novel atmosphere and tradition. What began as a pizzeria -- the city's first -- in the basement of the Melrose Apartments has changed very little over the last 47 years. The checkered tablecloths, the bohemian assemblage of art and signage on the walls and ceilings, the pipes so low you have to duck before entering the dining area -- all beckon the discerning diner in search of a memorable meal. "Nothing changes," says owner/manager Nina Zimmerman. "We've had the same customers for years. Many couples say they had their first date here." Sequestered booths with flickering candlelight offer the requisite setting for romantic interludes. Hand-holding is permitted and longing gazes encouraged; marriage proposals are almost routine. The menu, too, remains unchanged: The pizza is still square. The lasagna is still the most-ordered item on the menu. The pasta-and-chicken livers entree still comes with a choice of red or white sauce. The Sicilian salad still tastes great with fresh sliced Italian bread. And, as ever, the big jar, mysteriously filled with Chinese fortune cookies, still sits by the entrance, causing small amusement among contented departing customers.

Sansui West
9983 Manchester Road, Des Peres MO ; Tel. 314.966.7786
There was a time, not long ago, when the phrase "raw fish" made most St. Louisans blanch. But our palates are changing; we no longer gag at rawness, and sushi joints are popping up all over the place. Everyone's got his or her fave, but we say Sansui West is the best. Occupying the former location of another sushi restaurant, Ted and Teiko's, Sansui West's menu is exhaustive. The restaurant also caters to raw-fish cowards; in addition to an array of sashimi and sushi, Sansui boasts fantastic chicken teriyaki and sukiyaki and some of the best tempura around. But we're talking sushi here, and for all you sushi fiends, the restaurant offers Sansui boats -- actual miniature wooden boats that sit on your table and house enough sushi and rolls for the table. Get funny-tipsy on sake or Japanese beer while you notice the best endorsement for a sushi joint: The place is teeming with Japanese-Americans. Sansui also has a West Pine location in the Central West End that precedes its suburban counterpart, but the Manchester location is somehow better.

Sidney Street Café
2000 Sidney, St. Louis, MO 63104; Tel. 314.771.5777
Leave the vegans at home. You'll be eatin' meat at this popular bistro -- they don't even bother putting salad on the menu. In fact, they don't really have menus; your efficient server recites the 30-odd detailed selections from memory while you gape open-mouthed. Anything you order will be more than satisfactory, and a great deal of it will be surpassing. Avocado cream gives "pueblo" ravioli a jolt, and raspberries spruce up pork chops. Look for a casual, convivial clientele; a mood of relaxed elegance; and delicious beignet-like bread pods.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Smith and Slay's
8025 Bonhomme, St. Louis, MO 63105; Tel. 314.721.3585
Smith & Slay¹s combines former baseball Cardinal Ozzie Smith¹s deep pockets and showmanship with chef David Slay¹s culinary skills and cachet. The place has been cleverly modeled after the supper clubs of the 1940s and ´50s, and although most of the dishes on the menu are retro favorites, a few trendy items break formation. Skip the steaks-and-chops section in favor of a value-priced seafood or poultry dish, and under no circumstances should you pass up sweets from pastry chef Kate Baltz¹s dessert menu.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Sqwires Restaurant and Market
1415 S. 18th St., St. Louis, MO 63104; Tel. 314.865.3522
The opening of Sqwires should lay to rest any lingering skepticism about how cosmopolitan St. Louis can be when we put our mind to it. The restaurant is an urban showpiece, part of the renovated Western Wire Products factory in Lafayette Square. The simple, spirited food keeps pace with the restaurant¹s dynamic design. The menu highlights seafood, with dishes such as silky oyster stew and sea bass in saffron broth.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Tandoori Hut
3279 Hampton, St. Louis, MO 63139; Tel. 314.646.8488
The freshness and healthfulness of Tandoori Hut¹s food distinguish it from that of other Indian restaurants. Meats are hand-cut, and every dish is cooked to order. Each menu section is divided into vegetarian and nonvegetarian items, but the chef excels at preparing the former. The restaurant follows the Indian custom of serving all the savory dishes at once, so be sure to tell your server if you¹d like the bread or appetizers brought before the entrées. The name Tandoori Hut is both a reflection of the restaurant¹s cuisine and a tongue-in-cheek reference to the building¹s unmistakable Pizza Hut architecture.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Top of the Riverfront
200 S. 4th, St. Louis, MO 63102; Tel. 314.241.3191
The menu of this rotating restaurant atop the Regal Riverfront Hotel is up to the same heights as its panoramic view. The theme is "Mississippi Valley" ingredients, which provides the latitude to include everything from boundary-waters salmon to bourbon-soused shrimp, as well as, from the immediate vicinity of St. Louis, Volpi prosciutto, Collinsville horseradish for the prime rib and a Seyval Blanc jus for the chicken.

Trattoria Marcella
3600 Watson Road, St. Louis MO; Tel. 314.352.7706
Variety may be the spice of life, but let's face it: We head like lemmings for the nearest Starbucks even as we denounce the corporation's McDonald's-style global tyranny and capitalist greed (hey, someone's keeping them in business). Instead, why not patronize that cute café, diner or deli down the street? Our favorite is a little trattoria on the corner of a blue-collar block in South City. After seven years in business, Trattoria Marcella is still so hot that it's booked solid every weekend. But early in the week, when regulars tend to drop by, customers can often walk right in. Trattoria Marcella consistently ranks among the top three or four restaurants in St. Louis, but you can eat there on the cheap if you know how to order. Start with one of chef/co-owner Steve Komorek's kick-ass salads, which are usually dressed up with candied pistachios or crunchy sugared pecans.Then split one of Komorek's hand-rolled Roman pizzas or order an inexpensive pasta. Regulars are often treated to a sample of an off-menu dish, compliments of the chef. With coffee and biscotti for dessert, you'll feel as if you've just dined extravagantly. And though we'd love to see Komorek and manager/co-owner Jamie Komorek open a second location, they're keeping their plans for world domination on the back burner for now.

Yemanja Brasil
2900 Missouri Ave. at Pestalozzi, St. Louis, MO 631118; Tel. 314.771.7457
Yemanja Brasil preserves the authenticity of Brazilian cuisine as much as possible given the limited availability of the extraordinary fishes, fruits, spices and other raw materials native to South America. Be prepared to duke it out with a few red-hot chile peppers. Feijoada, for example, a stew of pork and black beans that serves as Brazil's national dish, is aggressive enough to sandbag anyone whose palate hasn't been in training. Many of Yemanja's dishes, such as the airy black-eyed-pea fritters and the tender salt-cod fritters, are deep-fried as well as spicy. But Brazil's cuisine is one of the most appealing in the world, and Yemanja does a fine job of introducing us to it.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Lorenzo's Trattoria
1933 Edwards St. Louis, MO 63110; Tel. 314.773.2223
One of the newest additions to the Hill is a world away from the toasted-ravioli crowd. Young chef/owner Larry Fuse puts goat cheese in his rav appetizers -- no "toasting" here -- and for main courses he can stay true to tradition with classics such as osso buco or experiment wildly with orange-zested gnocchi. Even the house salad, with shredded Asiago cheese, crisped prosciutto and pistachios, rises well above the ordinary.
Full review available from the Riverfront Times.

Downtown St. Louis features dining opportunities from fine gourmet restaurants in downtown hotels and eclectic cafes and bars in the Washington Avenue Loft District to the smorgasbord offering of restaurants in the historic Union Station on Market Street. Diners can enjoy savoring the wonderful signature St. Louis specialities created by top chefs. Restaurants around Kiener Plaza feature spectacular views of the Old Courthouse with the Gateway Arch in the background. Major sporting venues including Busch Stadium, the Savvis Center and the Edward Jones Dome are within walking distance of many restaurants. See Restaurant News for special events in the metro St. Louis area. Attractions Entertainment Hotels Downtown Map

MetroLink with control tower at Lambert - St. Louis International Airport.

Check out Restaurant News for special events at other restaurants in the metro St. Louis area.

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North County Restaurants