"What are some of your favorite restaurants now that the weather has turned colder?" —Laura B., St. Louis
My selection of a restaurant is most certainly affected by the weather—and I don't think I'm alone when referring to some places as “summer” restaurants and others as “winter.” The parameters for the latter are specific but few:
1. Dim lighting immediately adds a cozy vibe.
2. Cushy, upholstered booths and chairs to sink into.
3. A vaulted ceiling with wooden ceiling beams and joists conveys a lodge-like feel.
4. No other restaurant attribute says “winter” more than a fireplace.
5. A breezeway might seem like an odd parameter, but it's significant. Sit at a table by an unprotected front door on a cold, windy evening and you’ll get my draft, er, drift.
Keeping the above in mind, here’s a list of where to hibernate in the winter months. If I missed your favorite, add it in the comments section below.
Downtown/Midtown:
- Al's Steakhouse: Where the decor's as dark as the char on your USDA prime steak.
- Broadway Oyster Bar: When both fireplaces get fired up (and even when they’re not), BOB is a ragin’, Cajun, rip-roarin' good time.
- Cinder House: A special party can be booked in front of the fireplace off the eighth-floor lobby
- Lombardo’s: We’ll be in a leather booth, happy as a Christmas puppy.
- Lucas Park Grille: Three fireplaces. Pick your spot.
- The Last Kitchen & Bar: The unusual juxtaposition of restaurant, bar, hotel lobby—plus windows aplenty—translate to abundant appealing seating.
- Morton's the Steakhouse: The new digs inside Lumiere Place Casino are posh, spacious, and windlowless, so wintertime cold is a distant memory.
- Tony’s – It's a special restaurant, no matter the season.
- Turn: Full carpeting at chef David Kirkland's under-the-radar gem mean it's quiet and cozy.
- Union 30: Windows surround the restaurant on the ground floor of Hotel St. Louis. Even though winter looms outside, long draperies cozy up the space.
Charlie Gitto's
The Hill:
- Charlie Gitto’s: We love the patio during nicer weather, but the glowing onyx bar and renovated dining room are as cozy as can be.
- Dominic’s: The classic restaurant just seems more appealing in winter.
CWE:
- Dressel’s: Three fireplaces and upscale pub food. We could hang out here until spring.
- The Preston: It's spacious and gracious, with a wall's worth of cozy booths.
- Taste: One of the coziest places in town, Taste is small, dark, and romantic. Oh, and the food and cocktails are excellent, too.
- Tenderloin Room: Enjoy dark woods, tufted upholstery, and stories about George Clooney. (It's slated to reopen after renovations in December.)
Central Corridor:
- Bar Les Freres: It's arguably the most romantic address in town, and romance knows no season.
- The Cheshire: The quintessential wintertime corner. The Tudor atmosphere and the five fireplaces—all but one of them wood-burners—takes this complex to numero uno on my list. Pick a venue: Boundary has great tableside deuces, Basso is rathskeller cool (especially at couch-like table No. 400), and The Fox & Hounds Tavern has been a wintertime hangout for generations.
- Cyrano’s: A flambéed dessert prepared at a fireside table? It gets no better.
- Elmwood: Darkened windows, no patio, a lack of sign verbiage, and distinctive interior lighting add to the mystery of this newish Maplewood hangout.
- Llywelyn’s (Webster): You can’t miss the fireplace—and you may not get any further.
- The Ritz-Carlton: Having cocktails in the Lobby Lounge is a rite of winter.
- St. Louis Bread Co. (Brentwood): Yup, even the local BreadCo wedged a toasty little fireplace into the middle of the dining room.
- Sasha’s Wine Bar (Demun and Shaw locations): Red wine, cheese, fireplace, more wine = good times.
- Sportsman’s Park: For some reason, small bars just feel better in winter.
West:
- Annie Gunn’s: A quintessential wintertime watering hole—that happens to serve excellent food.
- EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery: The large space encompasses multiple rooms. Take a self-guided tour before asking for a table.
- Il Bel Lago: The sister restaurant to Giovanni's Kitchen is classic and spacious, with carpeting that lends a quiet atmosphere.
- Paul Manno's Cafe: The lack of a patio and minimal curb appeal belie the sumptuousness, grace, and excellent food within.
- Tucker’s Place: Multiple fireplaces and steak. Enough said.
- Via Vino Enotica: Dark, classy, and intimate, with small tables, Via Vino is just far enough from the often-lively Sugo next door.
North:
- Cork: The Ferguson wine bar offers a great vibe in any season.
- Hendel’s Market: The fireplace is in the bar...as you should be.
South:
- Eleven Eleven Mississippi: It's absolutely top-of-mind when thinking of an engaging, lodge-like restaurant atmosphere.
- Bailey’s Chocolate Bar: Order an ice cream drink (as in a dark chocolate martini) in the winter. There are warm versions as well.
- Frazer’s: The cozy confines make for an intimate meal.
- Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar: Most steakhouses are massive, with multiple rooms. This Edison bulb–illuminated 60-seater breaks from that tradition.
- McGurk’s: The interior lighting's nearly as dark as the Guinness.
- Polite Society: Three small dining rooms spell cozy, especially with the old brick walls and dim lighting.
- Sidney Street Café: See also Tony’s, another St. Louis staple for fine dining.
- Tucker’s Place (Soulard and South County): The are multiple dining rooms and multiple fireplaces at both locations.
- Vin de Set: The setting is spectacular, whether in the bar or main dining room
Metro East:
- Moussalli's Prime (Edwardsville): Formerly Andria's Countryside Restaurant, the recently renovated country home serves excellent steaks and other hearty fare.
- Andria’s Steakhouse (O’Fallon): Fireside tables are reservable.
- Pere Marquette Lodge: Experience the massive fireplace in person; pictures just don’t do it justice.
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