Radio comedian Joy Grdnic has had fun building this, her first restaurant, in what was once the Stutz Bearcat Showroom on St. Louis’ Automotive Row. Besides a massive chocolate fountain in the middle of the bar, so very good ice cream sundaes, and ice cream martinis, try the Polish Dill Pickle Soup or the Peanut Soup. Joy hand-painted most of the art...
Introducing “exotic” coffee drinks such as cappuccino and espresso to St. Louis in the 1970s, Cyrano’s, at its original location in Clayton, became a household name. It closed its doors in 1996, but in 2003, a group of local restaurateurs decided to reinvent Cyrano’s, this time in Webster Groves, using much of the same furniture and artwork to give the...
Charlotte’s Rib fired up its smoker in St. Louis in 1977 and by 1981 had walked away as the Grand Champion of the American Royal Barbecue Contest in Kansas City. You’ll see that award on the walls here, along with one for the Best Cole Slaw in the early days of the at the American Royal. The Jack Daniel’s Invitational...
How’s your French? If you say the name of this restaurant with a bit of a nasal, French accent, you’ll recognize “vingt dix-sept,” which means 2017 – the restaurant’s street address in Lafayette Square. If you enjoy wine, you’ll enjoy Vin de Set with more than 170 different offerings of wine. And you’ll really enjoy it at the rooftop bar...
Oh, it’s just as homey as you can imagine a diner should be, with folks who know one another and friendly service even for strangers. It’s a place where you get real mashed potatoes and cherry pie a la mode. There’s nothing fru-fru on the menu, just good old comfort food like pork chops and meat loaf and fried egg...
Even if you don’t visit this location on South Grand, and you should, there’s a good chance that you’ve eaten Mangia pasta. At least 25 restaurants in St. Louis incorporate this fresh, locally made goodie in their menu offerings. The pasta comes in 15 flavors, including squid ink, and you can buy it right here to take home and prepare...
If you sailed the seven seas with John D. McGurk, then you’re truly Irish, but if you enter this bar and say you’re friends with John, well, you’re not gonna score any points. McGurk is a fictional character in an Irish song, often sung at closing at the classic St. Louis pub in Soulard. The owners are Irish and each...
This St. Louis classic has been family-owned since 1948 and a part of multiple generations of family celebrations. You’ll find the owners on the floor, tending to their guests, every night of the week. The prime rib is big enough to feed a family and so tender. The double baked potatoes are legendary here, as is the carrot cake for...
Once the largest brewery in St. Louis, the Lemp family name was one of power and prestige in the city from the 1850s until Prohibition devastated the fortune. This was the family home, built in the 1860s, and an abnormally high number of family members died within its walls under self-inflicted or mysterious circumstances, and some say their spirits have...
Located in one of these great old restored buildings with exposed bricks and a great courtyard, Molly’s is a classic Soulard dining spot. The atmosphere is great, but the food even better. The fish tacos, the gumbo, even the burgers will have you posting pictures all over social media. An impeccable wine list and sophisticated bartenders make the bar and...
One of the many ethnic restaurants along South Grand, Pho Grand is arguably the best Vietnamese restaurant in the city. The bahn cuon or rice flour crepes stuffed with ground pork, mushroom and onions are outstanding. There’s a great selection of vegetarian dishes along with your basic seafood, chicken and beef dishes. Bring a group of friends and share the...
A big wooden heart, carved from oak, hanging near the entrance is more than a highly-photographed and Instagrammed piece of décor in this trendy, casual dining spot in Webster Groves. Take note of the topiaries – shaped into hearts. Look closely at the flooring where child-like drawings of hearts have been stamped into the stained concrete. A small neon heart...
About 100 motorcycles from 20 countries make gear heads salivate in this aptly named museum. They date to the 1900s, and probably the most unusual is a 1928 Czechoslovakian Bohmerland. But each one in Steve Smith’s private collection is here because of some interesting engineering component, fathomable to only the most die-hard motorcycle nut. Enjoy a little more motor action...
If the recipe comes from somebody’s grandma, then you know it’s gotta be good. Executive chef Lisa Slay’s grandma was beloved for her stuffed grape leaves and hummus – and those continue to be among the more popular items on the menu. Lots of small plates with perfectly paired wines from boutique wineries around the world make this a great...
For generations, beer in St. Louis was all about the big boys at A/B, but in 1989, little Schlafly beer began to change the scene. The two locations are busy all the time with community events, private celebrations and just good times with live music and great beer. The Tap Room, Schlafly’s first location, at 2100 Locust Street on the...
Like many structures on Lafayette Square, this building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Part of its history includes ownership by the big brewery in town – Anheuser Busch. But since 2006, it’s been one of the most popular micro-breweries in the city. A few years later, hand-crafted spirits became a part of the offering here – gin,...
You may remember the show “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” on the Oprah television network. Yep, this is the place, the beginning of the chain. Sweetie Pie’s is owned by Robbie Montgomery, who was one of the original Ikettes of the Ike and Tina Turner band. Pictures of Robbie and the band fill the walls, and yes, she’s just as gorgeous...