See all the 101 Best Restaurants featured in the October issue of St. Louis Magazine.
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Photographer: Kevin A. Roberts
801 Chophouse
Best Value: One of the most expensive restaurants in town offers one of the best deals: At 801 Chophouse, the Sunday prix-fixe menu is $33 for three courses. Insider Tip: During happy hour, from 4–6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, both restaurants discount by-the-glass wines by 50 percent and offer the biggest and best cold shrimp in town.
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Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
801 Fish
Best Seat: For a group, there’s no better perch at 801 Fish than the Fish table, with the giant tuna above it. Insider Tip: During happy hour, from 4–6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, both restaurants discount by-the-glass wines by 50 percent and offer the biggest and best cold shrimp in town.
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Annie Gunn's
Annie Gunn's is SLM's Restaurant of the Year by. Surprisingly, the longtime dining staple has never received our highest endorsement—better late than never. Read the full feature on the restaurant.
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Balaban’s
Vibe: The wine bar, with a café wrapped around it, could have been transported from Paris. You’ll forget you’re in a strip mall, a few doors down from Noodles & Company. Best Dishes: Nostalgia demands starting dinner with the classic smoked-trout pancake and a cup of cucumber bisque. Then consider the Beef Wellington, an item dating to the restaurant’s days in the Central West End. Insider Tip: Stop by the Library Wine Room, where you’ll discover some of the world’s greatest labels and vintages.
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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Cafe Napoli
Vibe: This classy Clayton spot is a popular lunchtime destination for business and political deals.Best Dish: On a nice night, sit on the patio and order the burrata and tomato stacked salad with a glass of sauvignon blanc. Insider Tip: Han Tran is among the best bartenders in town. His Blue Curaçao “Han Bomb” is like sipping summer itself.
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Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Citizen Kane's
Vibe: Simple spot in anold house, with nodiscernible dress code but serious steaks. Drinks: The wine list is adequate, but this is a place for highballs and retro cocktails. Insider Tip: Not on the menu but seemingly always available is the New Orleans–style barbecued shrimp appetizer.
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Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
The Crossing
Background: The Crossing was one of the first restaurants in town to emphasize local products. Vibe: At this cozy restaurant, regulars have a deep respect for owner-chef Jim Fiala’s way with food. Best Dish: The onion-cheese soufflé should start every dinner, but the prix-fixe dinners are exciting to both the palate and purse.
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Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Elaia
Vibe: The white tablecloth experience is a combination of historic (outside) and minimalist modern elegance (inside). Best Dish: The octopus with avocado, tomato terrine and squid ink vinaigrette, though the scallops (pictued above) are also delectable. Insider Tip: Take advantage of valet.
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Element
Since its debut, three years ago, Element has offered up a combination of fine cuisine and stunning design. The expansive open kitchen, helmed by executive chef Josh Charles, puts out a tempting selection of shareable small and large plates using the best ingredients from local farmers. One floor up from the dining room, the lounge area offers plenty of luxurious soft seating. And there’s a gorgeous rooftop patio.
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Photograph by Katherine Bish
Il Bel Lago
Vibe: Businesslike and formal, the restaurant is sedate, except when the bar gets a little rowdy. Best Dish: Eggplant “Short Stack” Milanese. Insert baby eggplant Milanese into a caprese salad, swap in arugula for the basil, and presto! Insider Tip: If you live in West County and don’t want to schlep to the original Giovanni’s on the Hill, consider this Italian restaurant, run by Frank and Carmelo Gabriele.
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Carmen Troesser
Sidney Street Cafe
Background: Sidney Street is always making subtle changes, from where it sources its ingredients to dining room upgrades, which helps maintain its elite status. Chef Pedigree: Owner/chef Kevin Nashan has been nominated for six James Beard Awards (a.k.a. the culinary Oscars) for Best Chef: Midwest. He also once cooked for President Obama at a private residence in St. Louis. Success Story: Few local restaurants appeal to both traditional and adventuresome palates. With such standbys as filet béarnaise and atypicals like rabbit porchetta, Sidney Street is one.
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Photography by kate munsch, kevin a. roberts, jennifer silverberg, and ashley gieseking
Stone Soup Cottage
Vibe: Elegant and rustic, the restaurant affords a fabulous view of the surrounding fields that supply the dishes. Insider Tip: Make reservations, as there’s only one seating per night and slots fill up quickly. Service: Owners Carl and Nancy McConnell visit every table to describe each dish and wine pairing.
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The Tenderloin Room
Vibe: Dishes are served from gueridons (serving carts) in a remodeled dining room that still looks and feels like ’60s opulence. Don Draper would feel right at home. Best Side: Yes, steaks are the featured attraction, but start with a perfect Caesar salad. Insider Tip: Despite it relatively formal setting in The Chase Park Plaza, there’s functionally no dress code because it’s in a hotel.
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Tony's
Best Dish: Yes, the lobster albanello is wonderful, but the first-course scallops with truffles are always a winner. Drinks: A Champagne cocktail is the perfect way to toast a special occasion. Insider Tip: Don’t see what you want? If the ingredients are on hand, the kitchen will make it for you.
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Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
Truffles
Vibe: It’s both a fine-dining spot and a watering hole in ritzy Ladue. It’s also one of the best places in town for business lunches, neither frantic nor noisy. Insider Tip: An exceptional selection of meat, seafood, bread, and artisan sandwiches is available at Truffles Butchery next door. Drinks: The wine list is broad and deep, and the staff is helpful, providing suggestions at all price points.
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