Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Cinder House
Signaling Gerard Craft’s return to top-tier dining, Cinder House is the most anticipated St. Louis restaurant in years. No expense has been spared in the dining room build-out at the Four Seasons, and the kitchen’s filled with custom wood-fired equipment to support the South American-focused menu—a nod to Craft’s Brazilian nanny. 999 N. Second.
After a year of underground dinners with Square 1 Project, chef Logan Ely is making his mark on the restaurant scene with his own grassroots restaurant in Fox Park. Expect a rapidly changing menu of hyper-local small plates, with plenty of surprises along the way. 2655 Ann.
After the success of Retreat Gastropub, partners Travis Howard and mixologist Tim Wiggins teamed up with Top Chef: All-Stars winner Richard Blais for a second location, this time with a seafood-centric menu and one of the city’s best beverage programs. Consider it a sort of uptown tiki bar–meets–Red Lobster (cheddar biscuits, anyone?), combining tropical libations with a menu focused on Pacific seafood. 4659 Lindell.
The name explains the concept at chef Anthony Devoti’s former Five Bistro: The same farm-focused, made-in-house fare but offered at a price point that families and weeknight diners can afford. 5100 Daggett.
Guests must reserve a table and order in advance. (The menu’s on Facebook.) The reward is some of the most authentic Shanghai-style Chinese food in town. Theowners also operate Soup Dumplings STL next door. 8106 Olive.
With nearly a dozen variations on the menu, owner David Dresner pays serious attention to assembling each style of ’sticker, from dough to filling to sauce to pan-frying that perfect (you guessed it) crispy edge. 4168 Juniata.
This New Town newcomer rivals any in our region in terms of creativity, quality, and taste, as evidenced by such dishes as the Duck Grilled Cheese. No Menu Mondays and Kids Eat Free Wednesdays keep ’em coming back. 3245 Rue Royale, St. Charles.
Real estate was John Barr’s thing. Then he got involved in wife Kelley Hall-Barr’s candle business—so opening a restaurant was the obvious next step. (Or, more accurately, opening a barroom: John Barr. Barroom. Get it?) The idea was to have a little dive with some snacks. Things got out of hand. The Frisco Barroom is a 250-seat eatery with a separate bar, a dining room, an incredible patio, and a private upstairs dining space and comfy lounge. It’s all low-key and relaxed but with an upscale ambience. The menu’s all over the place: sandwiches, many stuffed with house-cured meats; burgers; wings; potato pierogis; smoked whitefish dip. The bar is like a well-stocked, well–run factory, turning out excellent cocktails. The rooftop seating offers views that will make you happy to live here. But John and Kelley, one question: Where are the candles? 8110 Big Bend.
From the owners of The Block, it’s neighborhood-style friendly, with an efficient, finely tuned kitchen turning out polished, inexpensive renditions of familiar favorites. 5800 Southwest.
Need a break while shopping at The Meadows? Prados is the place for lobster-stuffed tacos and the Kitchen Sink Burrito. The spacious, bright space is inviting for a light repast or a full dinner. 23 Meadows Circle, Lake Saint Louis.
The popular burger joint inside Rockwell Brewing also serves brats and fried chicken sandwiches. Pair your meal with a beer tasting. 1320 S. Vandeventer.
Moved in recent years from Clayton to Lumiere Place Casino on Laclede's Landing, the famous steakhouse chain serves quality meat in a luxurious atmosphere. 999 N. Second.
Located in a historic building downtown, the restaurant serves an innovative array of top-level dishes in an atmosphere that sports an air of genteel savoir-faire. 705 Olive.
The gamut of Mediterranean fare is capably represented; note specialties such as beef-filled Kurdish dumplings and Palestinian roasted chicken. 4200 Manchester.
“Live-fire cooking” is the draw at this Maplewood addition from an accomplished dining duo, Niche alum Chris Kelling and Adam Altnether. There are small plates, such familiar entrées as burgers, and whole fish roasted on a coal-burning hearth. (At press time, Elmwood was offering coal oven–fired pizza instead of its regular menu.) 2704 Sutton.
The Champagne list at this romantic Lafayette Square restaurant from Dave and Kara Bailey is encyclopedic; there are also cocktails and mixed drinks with an effervescent theme. 1915 Park.
Part of St. Louis’ Italian restaurant royalty, Kemoll’s recently moved from downtown to Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights. The portions are humongous; the steaks are outstanding. The fried artichokes are mandatory. 323 Westport Plaza.
What started as a food truck from Loryn and Edo Nalic has become a nationally acclaimed, locally loved restaurant in Webster Groves. The Balkan’s best: kebabs, sausages, gyros, and the best pide this side of Istanbul, most of it wood-fired. 8103 Big Bend, 314-667-9926.
Charbroiled oysters, lobster rolls, and such sumptuous selections as salmon and sea bass are matched with mashed sweet potatoes and squid inked pasta. 4239 Lindell.
Just a block east of Busch Stadium, the cavernous hall serves stunning barbecue from renowned pitmaster Ben Welch.900 Spruce.
This airy restaurant in Clayton is dedicated to southern Italian eats, with fine primi pasta and even finer seafood secondi. dine-in, pickup. 222 S. Bemiston.
At one of St. Louis’ most distinctive restaurants, the focus is on multi-course tastings. The cuisine is an homage to the cooking and foodstuffs of the 19th-century Ozarks. 3307 Washington.
The immensely appealing neighborhood boîte features oversized tacos, chunky guacamole, and frozen margaritas. Don’t miss the breakfast tacos on weekends and the deep-fried avocado wedges anytime. 7405 Pershing.
The Creve Coeur restaurant’s menu spans land and sea, with selections ranging from burnt ends with bok choy to smoked duck ragù. 12643 Olive.
From octopus to togarashi-dusted fries, the menu is focused on unusual combinations of texture and tastes. Windows offer skyline views, and the building-length patio is among the most enjoyable in town. 1419 Carroll.
The name means “roots” in Malay, but what blossoms here is a whole garden of options. Asian influences combine with wildly oddball ingredients, so expect such dishes as a Tater Tot bibimbap. Chef/owner Bernie Lee has a whimsical touch; the results are surprising and delightful. 7641 Wydown.
On your stroll along historic Main Street, it’s only fitting that you stop and dine in a 19th-century townhouse. Local ingredients and scratch cooking are behind a menu that changes seasonally. 500 S. Main, St. Charles.
Acclaimed pit master David Sandusky offers top-flight ’cue; Duroc pork is the swine of choice, along with Wagyu beef brisket—combined into sandwiches or wrapped in tortillas. 4156 Manchester.
The popular Thai restaurant in The Grove dispenses with most curries and is focused instead on delicious specialties. Preparations are complex; spice heat levels begin at zero and end at wow. 4087 Chouteau.
Choose between incredible riffs on Thai cuisine or the best sushi in town. The combination’s palate-jarring, but you can’t really lose. 1641-D Tower Grove.
An extensive menu (including a burrito as big as Popeye’s forearm), is bolstered by house-made thin chips and an intensely flavorful salsa made from ground tomatoes and fresh herbs. The rooftop seating above the large patio is a welcome plus. 5220 Hampton.
At perhaps the most upscale Indian eatery in town, enjoy artsy presentations, Indian spiced cocktails, and an altogether stylish display of the subcontinent’s fare, including rack of tandoori lamb and grilled masala halibut. 6679 Delmar.
Soda Fountain at Union Station
The classic fountain joint boasts enough ice cream, fudge, and sprinkles to sugar-jack an entire elementary school. Griddled burgers, tuna melts, and other sandwiches make for a post-wheel repast. 201 S. 18th.
The Train Shed at Union Station
This 1904 World’s Fair–themed gathering spot is perfect for a nice dinner with a view of the lake and 200-foot St. Louis Wheel. 201 S. 18th.
At this Texas-style barbecue joint, a dry rub, vinegar sauce, and lots of smoke mean flavorful meat, which sparkles in tacos or just by itself, along with sides that show off chef Mike Randolph’s talents. 7359 Forsyth.
Brooklyn transplants Mowgli and Craig Rivard bring casual fine dining to Fox Park, where small and large plates are complemented by herb-forward cocktails and natural wines from around the world. Patio only, pickup. 2800 Shenandoah.
Reopened under the tutelage of Vicia’s Tara and Michael Gallina, the U. City staple emphasizes local, seasonal dishes prepared from scratch. Desserts are fabulous. Yes, it’s like dining in an old-time hardware store. Few local restaurants, though, are as comfortable. 7213 Delmar.
From the fold to the scorched crust to the stringy snap of mozzarella, this is the oregano-scented taste of Brooklyn, a near-perfect pie, whether whole or by the slice. 4189 Manchester.
Problems are few that can’t be solved with biscuits and gravy, johnny cakes, and country fried steaks, and this diner’s serving ’em up with a heap of small-town charm nostalgia. Slide onto a counter swivel seat, and contemplate the joy of an apple turnover. 2609 Cherokee.
The flavors of the Caribbean explode here with Cuban sandwiches, roasted pork pernil, and maduros. The music’s cool, and the Cuban-inspired atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. In decent weather, consider taking your tostones across the street to dine in lovely Lafayette Park. 2001 Park.
It’s like a welcoming neighbor’s house has been converted into a first-class steak joint, one seated on a wooded, rural hilltop. An array of superbly marbled beef, pastas, and seafood draw crowds, along with live music on the patio and après-dining strolls through the luxuriant garden. 7415 IL-143, Edwardsville, Ill.
This cozy brick-walled emporium is dedicated to the greatness of the burger. Enjoy a triple cheeseburger with all the toppings and a heapin’ platter of fries dusted with blue-cheese crumbles and slathered in brown gravy. Don’t miss the deviled eggs and an icy beer. 2501 S. 9th.
