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The following modules appear on the "Food & Drink" home page of stlmag.com and are updated weekly.
The Dam: To be honest, they had us at "slow food, fast." The 16-stool The Dam is about the size a large walk-in cooler: think Carl's Drive-In with a scratch kitchen. Located next to Amsterdam Tavern on Morgan Ford, it also makes deliveries there. The Dam's burgers are nigh-on perfect; the Belgian-style hand-cut fries, a must. GM/chef/counter guy Matt Galati will guide you through a menu of proper Black Angus burgers, all-beef hot dogs, sandwiches, and craft sodas. He also speaks oh-so-fondly about the baker--as in cupcakes, cookies, and an extensive array of to-order pies for the holidays--who happens to be his mom. If you don't immediately fall in love with this place...well, it'd be a dam shame! 3173 Morgan Ford, 314-771-3173, thedamstl.com
Indian Buffet Rec We have issues with many Indian lunch buffets in town: lack of options, leftover food, lousy service, sullen employees. We're happy to report that Haveli Indian Restaurant in Overland turns the tables on all of them. A double row of hot choices (in small pans) is frequently replenished. The floor staff greets, clears, refills glasses...and smiles. It's uncanny and oh so the way it should be. The buffet is also available on Tuesday and Sunday nights. 9720 Page (at Dielman), 314-423-7300, havelistl.com
Snub Out Dumpster Smoking Dear Restaurant Employee: Far be it from us to tell you where to go smoke a cigarette while on duty, but next to the kitchen dumpster is not one of them. It's bad enough your clothes reek of Marlboro smoke...adding another malodor or two only makes matters worse. Check, please.