Courtesy Kemoll's
Ask George: I have a big anniversary coming up. What are the most romantic places to dine in the city? —Jason R, St. Louis
I'll do you one better. I'll give you exact tables at some of the more romantic restaurants in the city. When I was at Harvest restaurant back in the 90s, guests would request specific tables all the time--and we accommodated. With the sophisticated reservation software available today, accommodation is that much easier, and a "don't move" table is easily doable, so don't hesitate asking front desk staffers for something specific. All of them can fulfill such a request--provided they want to.
I realize I've just scratched the surface with this list...I encourage readers to add their favorite restaurant tables in the comment section below, because, well, you can never have enough romantic options at that certain special time.
Dinner:
- The fireplace table (#54) at Harvest
- One of several windowside deuces (like #52) at Kemoll's (see photo above)
- The corner booth (#13) at Paul Manno's
- The corner booth (“The Gitto’s Booth”) at Charlie Gitto's on the Hill.
- The corner table along the banquette (#10) at I Fratellini. Sit on the same side, facing out.
- The rounded, corner booth (#158) at Herbie's Vintage 72
- One of the upholstered booths (like #22) at Scape
- One of the fireplace deuces (#53 and 54) at The Restaurant at The Cheshire
- A corner booth (like #35) at the Tenderloin Room
- The deuce near the fireplace (#13) at Vin de Set
- A fireplace table (like #51) at 1111 Mississippi
- The deuce on the balcony (#30) at Sidney Street Café
- The corner deuce (#34) in the bar at Farmhaus
- The corner, curtained booth (#15) at Aya Sofia
- The round corner booth (#15) at Il Bel Lago
- The Boom Room Room (up a step ladder) at Roxane
- The cozy little deuce (#34) at The Crossing
- The window deuces (#14 and 22) at Bar Les Frères
- Fireplace tables (#15 & 16 inside; #53 in the atrium) at Annie Gunn’s
- The rounded, corner booth (#31) at Via Vino
- The high-top window tables (#1and 2) at Vino Nadoz
- The window deuce (#22) at Five Bistro
- The four seats at the chef’s counter at Niche (even though you’re in the spotlight, the chefs are too busy to see or hear your sweet nothings)
- The fireplace table at The Market at The Cheshire (breakfast and lunch only)
- Stone Soup Cottage: Table # ?? (SSC reopens September 20 in a new location)
- The soft seating upstairs at Bridge (not reservable, request when you get there)
- The soft seating upstairs at Taste by Niche (not reservable, request when you get there)
Al Fresco (there are dozens, here are a few of the more unusual):
- The cantilevered, east-facing, outside table at Three Sixty
- The “tables by the fountain,” weekends only, at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
- A partially hidden table in the garden (#30) at Café Osage
- The corner table near the fountain (#104) at Table 3 in Wildwood
- Anywhere on the rear patio (aka the Wine Garden) at Big Sky Café
- Anywhere on the rear, courtyard patio at Molly Darcy’s
Dessert:
- Any table at Bissinger’s in the CWE
- The antique-covered booth (#44) at Cyrano's
- Booth #21 at The Fountain on Locust (three engagements there that I know of)
