Dining Guide: Clayton

801 Chophouse

Steakhouse. This restaurant is a throwback to the days when green-coated servers pushed guéridon carts through fine dining rooms. A magnificent oval bar anchors the restaurant, part of a seven-unit Des Moines, Iowa–based chain. 137 Carondelet Plaza, 314-875-9900. $$$$

801 Fish

Seafood. At St. Louis’ most lavish seafood restaurant, everything is posh and sleek, and the wine list shines. The oceans’ best appears with a minimum of fussiness—the emphasis is on the fish itself. 172 Carondelet Plaza, 314-875-9636. $$$$

Akar

Asian. 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, 314-553-9914. $$$$

Almonds Restaurant

American. Known for its fried chicken, this popular inexpensive haunt—which also boasts many notable New Orleans–influenced dishes—continues to shine. 8127 Maryland, 314-725-1019. $$

Avenue

American. Chef Bryan Carr serves modern and homestyle fare with French accents. Ask for a seat in the back room, with its fireplace and chandelier. 12 N. Meramec,  314-727-4141. $$$

The BAO

Asian. Fluffy Chinese buns get the spotlight at this hip Clayton eatery. Traditional bao compete with a parade of fillings—soft shell crab, Wagyu beef, ice cream—along with Asian-inspired bowls and nibbles. 14 N. Central, 314-899-9089. $$

Bar Moro

Spanish. Rare is the eatery that captures a foreign flavor as authentically and deliciously as this tiny, tapas-spific place where Iberico ham and chilly gazpacho are glorious and other Spanish classics are amazing. The atmosphere is alegre, and the list of Spanish wines adds to the enjoyment. 7610 Wydown, Clayton. $$$

Bistro La Floraison

French. It’s beau cadre, bon gout—“good people, good taste”—at this intimate joint from Michael and Tara Gallina, where dinner begins with incredible bread and ends with Basque cheesecake. In between are cassoulets, olive oil poached salmon, and other Franco-inspired delights. It’s entirely charming, with a distinct neighborhood atmosphere. 7637 Wydown, 314-725-8880. $$$

Café la Vie

American. Seriously sophisticated and tucked into Clayton’s Le Meridien Hotel, it’s like a trip to France. Breakfast and lunch give way to a tres cool cocktail lounge in the evenings. Light French fare is beautifully presented, and the atmosphere is fresh and classy. 7730 Bonhomme, 314-836-0400. $$$

Café Napoli

Italian. A favorite among Clayton power brokers, Napoli serves pasta and other Italian standards. Pair your meal with a glass from the extensive wine list, perusable on tablets. 7754 Forsyth, 314-863-5731. $$$

Cantina Laredo

Mexican. The St. Louis outpost is part of a chain of modern Mexican restaurants—though the sleek space reads more Clayton than chain. Grab a margarita and order some freshly made guacamole. 7710 Forsyth, 314-725-2447. $$

The Capital Grille

Steakhouse. Dry-aged beef, luxurious seafood, and meticulous service are specialties at this high-end addition to the Clayton dining scene. 101 S. Hanley, 314-725-0930. $$$$

Casa Don Alfonso

Italian. It’s worth just a leisurely espresso here to take in the luxurious interior of decorated tile, the stunning open kitchen, and the marble-topped bar. Mediterranean specialties and Southern Italian cuisine, along with Neapolitan pizza, are world-class. The counter seats are in full view of the pasta makers and pizza bakers. 100 Carondolet Plaza, 314-719-1496. $$$$

City Coffee House & Crêperie

Café. Ann Gallardo’s European café serves specialty breakfast, lunch, and dessert crêpes; homemade pastries; sandwiches; salads; and soups. 36 N. Brentwood, 314-862-2489. $$

The Crossing

European. This classic spot wowed diners from the start, and it continues to dazzle. Every meal starts with a blue cheese soufflé; you’ll want to order additional. 7823 Forsyth, 314-721-7375. $$$$

Crushed Red

Pizza. Individual pizzas are built to order, along with tasty chopped salads. The atmosphere is informal, happy, and convivial; the ingredients are flawless and delicious. See website for details. $

Dominic’s Trattoria

Italian. Despite its location on the ground floor of a Clayton condo building, Dominic’s is one of the most beloved chicken Parm palaces in St. Louis. Details like the tapenade accompanying the bread and perfectly timed service elevate this trattoria. 200 S. Brentwood, 314-863-4567. $$$ 

Five Star Burgers

American. Former Harvest owner Steve Gontram’s family-friendly burger outpost whips up meat-eating perfection with creative toppings. 8125 Maryland, 314-720-4350. $$

Half & Half

American. A mix of standard fare and variations, such as mascarpone-and-raspberry pancakes, sates the appetites of sweet- and savory-breakfast aficionados alike. The coffee program is also superior. 8135 Maryland, 314-725-0719. $$

Herbie’s

American. Chef Bill Cawthon’s menu offers refined versions of Midwestern comfort food with French influences.  The restaurant’s two patios offer  prime perches in downtown Clayton. 8100 Maryland, 314-769-9595. $$$

Il Palato

Italian. This airy restaurant is dedicated to southern Italian eats, with fine primi pasta and even finer seafood secondi. 222 S. Bemiston, 314-224-5331. $$$

Ivy Coffee, Tartines and Things

Café. Homemade sourdough is a starting point for tartines (open-faced toasts) and pastries, with soups, salads, and such sides as watermelon ‘fries’ and kale chips also available. Co-owners Julie Keane and Ashley Morrison also serve specialty coffee drinks and cold beverages, along with breakfast and lunch, in the former Miso on Meramec space. The concept offers local retail items, evening pop-ups, and off-site catering, too. 14 N. Meramec, 314-776-9377. $

Java Plus

American. The café serves fresh sandwiches, salads, wraps, and other healthy options for dine-in, pickup, or catering. (Java Plus is also a preferred caterer at the Missouri History Museum.) See website for details. $$

Kaldi’s

Café. The metro area’s largest third-wave coffee roaster serves up a range of hand-brewed, drip, and espresso coffee drinks and teas, alongside a tasty selection of breakfast and lunch items. See website for details. $

Kingside Diner

American. Looking for a chess-themed restaurant with a great short stack? Check. How about a kale salad? Check. The view from the patio at the CWE location is fit for king, queen, or bishop. 8025 Bonhomme, 314-230-9020. $

Louie

Italian. A fiery pizza oven, comfy bar, and cozy seating combine to make Louie a classic bistro. The roast chicken is arguably the best in town. Reservations are recommended. 706 DeMun, 314-300-8188. $$$

Louie’s Wine Dive

American. Wine, yes. Dive, no. The place is so handsome, it’s hard to believe that it’s part of a small chain. The food is as much the focus as the wine. 16 S. Bemiston, 314-875-9373. $$

Oceano Bistro

Seafood. Seafood flown in daily and a fantastic veranda continue to bring diners to one of the city’s top seafood spots. 44 N. Brentwood, 314-721-9400. $$$

Pastaria

Italian. A wide selection of house-made organic pastas accounts for the bulk of the menu at this family-focused Italian dining hall. The wood-fired pizza and cacio e pepe are standouts. (And next door, at Pastaria Deli + Wine, you can get sandwiches, sides, fresh pasta, and take-and-bake items.) 7734 Forsyth, 314-862-6603, pastariastl.com. $$

Peel Wood Fired Pizza

Pizza. Pizzas are topped with innovative ingredients: barbecue pork, duck sausage, roasted sweet potatoes… (At the location in O’Fallon, Illinois, there’s an entire brewpub upstairs as well.) 208 S. Meramec, 314-696-2515. $$

Peno

Italian. This neighborhood trattoria blends Sicilian soul food with a wide range of pizza and the Tucci Salad, an homage to chef/proprietor Pepe Kehm's mentor. If he’s not otherwise occupied. Kehm works the room telling stories like the unforgettable Kim Tucci used to do. 7600 Wydown, 314-899-9699. $$

Revel Kitchen

American. Cardinals nutritionist Simon Lusky hit the proverbial home run when he created a gluten-free menu that’s both delicious and inexpensive. Choose from various healthful items, including juices, salads, bowls, and takeout meal plan options. 11215 Manchester, 8388 Musick Memorial, 314-647-2222; 7447 Forsyth. $

Sasha’s

Wine Bar. At the flagship, on DeMun, enjoy a wine flight on the always-lively patio before taking a stroll in the seminary grounds across the street. (The Shaw location also boasts two bars, funky décor, and an equally fetching patio.) 706 DeMun, 314-863-7174. $$

Sauce on the Side

Italian. The concept is brilliant in its simplicity: half a dozen salads and 15 kinds of calzones, with 10 sauces “on the side” for dipping. The Nutella/banana dessert calzone is mandatory. See website for details. $

Tony’s

Italian. After years downtown, the venerable restaurant recently reopened in a sleek new space in Clayton’s Centene complex. As owner James Bommarito told SLM, the new Tony’s resembles the old in as many ways as possible: the menu and beverage offerings, the tableware, the copper pans, the design of the kitchen... Bommarito was even able to retain the longtime kitchen and floor staff, who use the brigade system of table service to flawlessly serve favorites like Lobster Albanello and linguine with lobster and shrimp. 105 Carondelet Plaza, 314-231-7007. $$$$

UKRAFT

American. What began as a food truck has morphed into a downtown eatery that provides boxed breakfasts and lunches for just you or your whole company. The choices are varied and tasty. 8182 Maryland; 701 Market, 314-757-7075. $

Wasabi Sushi Bar

Japanese/Sushi. The popular local chain serves up sushi, noodles, and other Japanese fare. Go with the Wasabi combinations, or consider the generously portioned bento. See website for details. $$

Wright’s Tavern

Steakhouse. Striking that balance between fine dining and accessibility is a restaurant’s premiere challenge. This place hits it. Dishes are creative, definitely upscale. The atmosphere, though, is bistro-like convivial. 7624 Wydown, 314-390-1466. $$$$