Attention, thrifty gourmets: Clayton Restaurant Week functions like a good coupon, but no coupon is required.
Just show up from January 24 to 30 at any of 19 Clayton restaurants (list here). The format is just as it was last year: three courses for $25. Try ordering those courses, or their equivalents, a la carte and we're talking more than $25 (in some cases, a lot more).
It's your chance to measure the kitchen at a restaurant you maybe haven't tried in a while, or ever, at a bargain price; a chance to check out relative newcomers, like the rockin' Tani Sushi Bistro, Mazara, or the highly-recommended Chez Leon. Many diners look forward to this event, using it as an excuse to visit Clayton multiple times during the week long promotion.
The menus are tantalizing:
Oceano offers a choice of Maryland lump crab cakes, "umami Kobe sliders," or blackened big-eye tuna; herb-crusted seabass, crab risotto, or farm-raised Atlantic salmon; and phyllo-wrapped brownie with ice cream or homemade chocolate-chip cookies. Mosaic Bistro Market offers four courses. Many diners are anxious to revisit ARAKA, now that chef Steven Caravelli is firmly entrenched.
You can also add a glass of Lapostolle wine ($7) at any of the restaurants, then apply your savings to KidSmart, provider of free school supplies throughout the St. Louis area.
If you peruse the menus, it will be difficult not to make a reservation. But do so quickly: reservations are highly--that's HIGHLY--recommended.
