At what restaurant in St. Louis would you celebrate a birthday ending in “0”? —Carly W., Boston
Special-occasion birthdays call for the best of the best, a restaurant worthy of next-level splurging. Some revelers will revisit a longtime favorite, while others look for a reason to visit the buzziest new place in town.
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The new Tony’s and Casa Don Alfonso, located in the same block of Carondelet Plaza in Clayton, check the respective boxes. The design and décor at both are stunning, each has an appealing bar area for a less formal celebration, and the food—two different interpretations of Italian cuisine—will not disappoint. (Steps away are The Capital Grille, 801 Chophouse, and 801 Fish, which open up the possibility of a progressive dinner.)
The service at Tony’s is legendary, partly due to the tableside preparation of many dishes, a high-skill culinary art that is slowly (and unfortunately) fading away. It’s all the more reason to also consider the spectacular Paul Manno’s or John Mineo’s, where I recall a waiter finishing and serving 10 entrées in a matter of minutes. If the birthday request is for elegant, old-school Italian, Dominic’s on the Hill has been clicking those boxes for 50 years. At Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, request the Gitto’s booth, or if weather permits, a table on the enclosed brick patio. You’re always in good hands with brothers Frank and Carmelo Gabriele, owners of Il Bel Lago in Creve Coeur. At Edera (located in the former Scape space in the Central West End), it’s hard to decide which is the better draw: the modern Italian menu or the spectacular European courtyard.
Speaking of great tables, snagging a street-facing table at Oceano Bistro is a celebration in itself. The corner booths at Vin de Set are especially cozy.
Thom Sehnert and his crew at Annie Gunn’s always seem to make any occasion special. Kevin Nashan’s Sidney Street Café, a well-polished gem, shines for the same reasons. Indulge in The Crossing‘s four-course tasting menu and opt for the premium wine flight (or go all-in with the grand tasting menu, where it’s included). At Peppe’s Apt. 2, reserve one of several private rooms tucked away upstairs…or dine alfresco on the garden patio, which is hidden from street view.
At Vicia, Michael and Tara Gallina have obsessed over every food and service detail. Guests can enjoy a gardenside cocktail and then dine on the covered patio or soon, in the modern dining room. If your parameters include “experiential” and “unforgettable,” check in at Rob Connoley’s Bulrush, where you’ll get a taste of the culinary history of the Ozarks. For the ultimate sushi experience, it’s Nick Bognar’s omakase dinner at indo, hands down.
In the new restaurant column, consider the spectacular Asador del Sur or The Lucky Accomplice. The charming Little Fox should also be on the to-do list for any occasion. The same goes for the equally engaging Olive + Oak, which is now fully open in its new home on Lockwood Avenue. Bring a big appetite to Il Palato in Clayton, where some of the portions are enormous. Newish steakhouse options include two bookends: the sleek Morton’s on Laclede’s Landing and the equally impressive Ruth’s Chris in Chesterfield. Or take a trip down very old school lane and check out the filet with batter fried lobster tail at Twisted Tree in Sunset Hills.
We’re also anxiously awaiting the opening of the dining room at Tempus, the reopening of Zoe Robinson’s restaurants (Bar Les Freres, I Fratellini, and Billie-Jean), Elmwood, and the beloved Stone Soup Cottage, which is always worth the drive.
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