WEB EXCLUSIVES THIS MONTH
* February issue podcast with George Mahe
* An extended Chef Favorites
* An extended Kitchen Q&A

EDITOR'S NOTE

FEEDBACK

THE CURRENT
Just Beachy
A young writer's debut novel makes the city its canvas
By Byron Kerman

What's the Deal With...
A primer for Seinfeld's stop in STL
By Jarrett Medlin

Mardis Gras Is History
This month's parade takes a new route
By Jarrett Medlin

Trivial Pursuits
St. Louis' sports-trivia heavyweights face off
By Byron Kerman

The Makeout
Nine spots to make your move
By Alex Bates

Will You Be My Valentine, Tony La Russa?
Local celebs kiss and tell
By Alex Bates

What It's Like...
To be a Blues Zamboni driver
By Jarrett Medlin

COMMERCE

Counter Currencies
In the midst of an ugly recession, alternative currencies are getting a second look — and some of the most successful models are right in our backyard
By Stefene Russell

HISTORY

The Madame Years
Our city's brief embrace of "The Social Evil"
By Harper Barnes

THINGS WE LOVE
Valentine's Day Edition

STYLE


Q&A: Barb Wehking
Floral designer and owner, Bloomin' Buckets
By Nicole Benoist Edgerton

Suit Yourself
Whether you're looking for one suit to get you through the year or want to add to your growing collection, these four looks are basics for every man's warddrobe
By Nicole Benoist Edgerton

Hot Item of the Month: Pylon Dock Minis

GLITTERATI

COVER FEATURE

The 30 Best Dishes In St. Louis
Whether you have $8 or $38 to spend, live east, west or downtown — one of St. Louis' top chefs has a dish you'll love

+Chef Favorites
By Dave Lowry, George Mahe and Rose Martelli
Edited by George Mahe

FEATURES

Best Lawyers 2009
To recognize the nation's most outstanding lawyers, Woodward/White — publisher of Best Lawyers, the oldest peer-review publication in the profession — confidentially surveys attorneys and asks them to rate their peers. SLM then excerpts the results for the River City region. The outcome? Our list of the region's best lawyers. (And no, attorneys cannot pay for inclusion.) So click here to meet the city's legal stars for 2009.

The Return of the King
Rex Sinquefield grew up in an orphanage in Normandy, Mo. Then he went out to California and pioneered a new investment strategy. Now he wants to use his millions to show the Show-Me State how to succeed
By Jeannette Cooperman

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Valley
How a Midwestern golfer battled a city, the sun and his skeptics to build a skiing empire
By Jarrett Medlin

A Conversation With Darryl Burton
A man exonerated last August, after serving in prison for a crime he didn't commit, talks about life on the outside
By Malcolm Gay

CULTURE

Datebook: February
Monthly Event Listings

A HeARTening Retail Debut
Painters and others, take note — a new store's making the city much more palettable
By Bryan A. Hollerbach


Little Handcar on the Prairie
Upstream Theaters flight of fancy Aerwacol brings wilderness to light
By Margaret Bauer

Hollywood, Handcrafted
With cutting-edge digital equipment and a don't-say-no Midwestern work ethic, Film Neshui makes an end run around the bureaucracy of the film biz
By Thomas Crone


Bright Kingdom
Previewing SLAM's new show, Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty
By Stefene Russell

DINING OUT

Restaurant Guide
Ins, Outs and Almosts

Review: Herbie's Vintage 72
Balaban's becomes Herbie's, and a classic is reborn
By Dave Lowry

First Look: Gio's Ristorante and Bar
By George Mahe

Frugal Foodie: Deluxe Fine Food & Spirits
By Rose Martelli

Kitchen Q&A: Dave Owens and Margaret Kelly
By George Mahe

Liquid Assets: Romantic Food and Wine Pairings
By Chris Hoel


FLASHBACK
1910: Helen in Egypt
By Stefene Russell