Ask George: Which restaurants in town offer prix fixe menu options? Susan M., St. Louis
Prix fixe dining in St. Louis runs the gamut pricewise, from the 3 courses for $25 deals during the ever-popular Restaurant Weeks to tasting menus than run several hundred dollars per person that include wine—but not tax and tip.
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Let’s go from least to most expensive, and then tackle restaurants with tasting menus, which could also be called a “chef’s choice prix fixe.”
It also bears mentioning that the parameters vary for such menus. Most restaurants require that, if there are two guests, that both participate; and if a group, that at least two people (and sometimes the entire table) participates.
PRIX FIXE MENUS:
Balaban’s — 3 courses, $25 pp
It’s hard to beat the price and quality of this Monday night only special (aka “Balabargain”) until you consider there is also a zero corkage fee on wine purchased at the wine store.
Restaurant Week — 3 courses, $25 pp
Occurring several times a year across several areas and municipalities (Clayton, Downtown, The Hill, West County), the appeal is the inexpensive menu (but with options for upgrades). A countrywide phenomenon, Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to try out a new place or revisit an old fave.
Acero — 4 courses for $35 pp, 7 courses for $75 pp
This is of the least expensive and popular prix fixe menus in town, one reason why Acero is so highly rated in both local and national publications.
Atlas — 3 courses, $28 pp.
A great deal, to be sure, but bear in mind this menu is only offered Tuesday through Thursday nights.
801 Chophouse — 3 courses, $33 pp
The Sunday Prix Fixe is an inexpensive way to experience what is arguably the city’s most expensive restaurant.
Kemoll’s — 3 courses, $33 pp
This menu is dubbed the Early Evening Dinner because orders must be placed by 6 p.m., perfect before the theatre or ballgame.
Farmhaus — 6+ courses, $68 pp
A wonderful (and reasonably priced) selection of land and sea food from Kevin Willmann, a finalist for the 2016 James Beard award for “Best Chef: Midwest.”
Vin de Set — 3 courses for $34 pp; 4 for $40 pp
The menus are fine, but even finer when enjoyed at a table on the rooftop patio.
The Crossing — 3 courses for $35 pp, 4 courses for $50 pp
Chef/owner Jim Fiala popularized the three courses for $25 format when he rolled it out to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of The Crossing in 2008. Today, he offers two tiers of prix fixe, plus a grand tasting menu (see below).
Café Provençal — 3 courses, $36 pp
A prix fixe menu has been de rigueur since this restaurant’s inception, and there are some worthy options (like the incomparable, garlicky escargots served with pull-apart epi bread).
Niche Sunday and Monday Supper — 3 courses, $40 pp
A chance to sample what’s new and upcoming at the flagship restaurant of Gerard Craft, the city’s only James Beard Award winning chef.
Brasserie — 3 courses, $42 pp
The least expensive way to experience a most loved bistro.
J. Gilbert’s — 3 courses, $43-$53 pp
This menu’s meat-centric, but it oughta be. It is a steakhouse, after all.
Five Bistro — 4 courses, $50 pp
Chef Anthony Devoti’s charmer is one of the best least-discovered restaurants in the city.
Truffles — 6 courses, $75 pp
Truffles Master Series menu is available only on Friday and Saturday nights.
Niche — 4 courses, $70 pp
Niche has a la carte service as well, but many guests wisely opt for this option.
Elaia — 4 courses, $70 pp
Similar to the program Niche offers, Elaia offers a full a la carte menu as well.
TASTING MENUS:
Parigi — 6-ish courses, $85 pp
It’s Clayton’s newest hot spot for several reasons—the snazzy modern décor, Jorie Taylor’s wine list, the superior coffee and tea program, and Ramon Cuffie’s Italian-inspired menu, including a tasting menu called the “Trust Us.”
The Crossing — 8 courses, $85+ pp
Put the chef’s Grand Tasting menu on your list for a special occasion…or for a kick-it-out weekend night.
Stone Soup Cottage — 6 courses, $90 pp
One of the city’s must-do dining experiences. People wait months for a table here. Enough said.
Niche — 7+ courses, $100 pp
The most creative and complete form of the Niche experience is expensive but memorable. This is the definitive answer for people who wonder what all the Niche hoopla is about.
Elaia — 10 courses, $120 pp
Ben Poremba’s multi-course extravaganza is amazing in itself, but especially since Elaia’s wine list is long and interesting, I recommend the extra $100 pp splurge for coursed wine pairings.
Tony’s — 5 courses, $180 for 2 people
Tony’s food is memorable and the captain-style service is unparalleled.
Annie Gunn’s — 4 courses with wine, $175 pp
I’ve never had Chef Lou’s Prix Fixe—and my birthday is September 18.
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I generalize here, but most chefs will—upon request and with a bit of notice—arrange a special tasting menu even if it’s not part of their regular program. Most chefs consider such a request an honor, a confirmation of a diner’s trust…they love it when someone says, “go ahead, just cook something for us…your choice.”
If I missed a prix fixe or a tasting menu (and I’m sure I did), feel free note it in the comment section below.
Ask George questions on Twitter @stlmag_dining or send him an email at [email protected]. For more from St. Louis Magazine, subscribe or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
