Cibare Italian Kitchen · River City Casino & Hotel
The menu, presentations, and ingredients all qualify Cibare as a top-tier Italian eatery. Gloriously charred pizzas emerge from a fire-breathing oven that’s as big as an industrial furnace. Swirls of house-made pastas, subtle sauces, and such specialties as veal piccata and grilled bass are equally delicious. The dessert case and elaborate cocktails alone are worth a visit. And though the casino is cavernous, the service is still cozy and attentive. 777 River City Casino.
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99 Hops House · Hollywood Casino
Contemplate the genius of the Bratzel, combining local sausage, a spicy house mustard, and a pretzel bun, along with a beer or two—or 99. Seriously. The bar fare (all with beer as an ingredient) is fine, but the real draw is a staggering list of brews, from the obscure to the popular. (Pair your Bratzel with a smoked porter.) Open until the wee hours, this is a fine meeting spot and hop-driven oasis after a night of gaming. 777 Casino Center.
Chase Club · The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta St. Louis
Enjoying a burger and beer next to the shimmering Mediterranean-style pool is more than a meal—it’s a tradition. Newer items (shrimp etouffée, flatbread pizza, kale salad) might not have been familiar to past generations, but their style and sophisticated charm would be instantly recognized. Recently renovated in a cool Art Deco sensibility, it’s fun—and seriously classy. 212 N. Kingshighway.
Asia · Ameristar St. Charles
Win or lose, it’s worth taking a break from the roulette wheel to grab a bowl of roasted duck and egg noodles. With a contemporary cool atmosphere and fare that spans a dozen Asian cuisines, this hot new eatery presents an unusual, rewarding dining experience. The chef, a Guangzhou native, plays with some classics: steamed ribs in a rich black bean sauce and riffs on noodles from Vietnam, China, and Thailand. Dishes are luxuriant yet without culinary kitsch, a rare accomplishment in high-end Asian cuisine.1 Ameristar, St. Charles.
Where to go for buffets & brunches on weekend mornings
Market Street Buffet · Casino Queen
The melodies of slot machines mix with the aromas of baked, fried, and grilled foods at this casino staple offering a little of everything. The newest casino buffet in town, which underwent a makeover this summer, is also the most affordable. 200 S. Front, East St. Louis, Illinois.
Provinces · Hilton St. Louis Frontenac
Four times a year (Mother’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas), Provinces offers one of the most lavish and reasonably priced brunches in town. From smoked salmon to cobbler, waffles to omelets, it’s the Mardi Gras of dining, with temptations and delectable diversions in every direction. 1335 S. Lindbergh.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to clarify that Provinces only offers its buffet on select holidays.
