Neighborhood Restaurant Recs: University City and the Delmar Loop

Asian Kitchen Korean Cuisine Korean. It’s best known for 15-plus banchan (side dishes) that come with each entrée. Equally impressive are the varieties of bibimbap, which rival our favorite restaurants in L.A.’s Koreatown. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun. 8423 Olive, 314-989-9377, asiankitchenstl.com. $

Blueberry Hill American. This Loop landmark is known for its pop-culture memorabilia and darts tournaments. But it’s also a destination for hearty bar food, all-day breakfast, and a late-night menu. Live music is featured in the Duck Room. Lunch and dinner daily. 6504 Delmar, 314-727-4444, blueberryhill.com. $

Bobo Noodle House Asian. An AIA award-winning space, Bobo serves such notable dishes as crispy pork spring rolls with a lime-soy sauce; Asian barbecue spare ribs; lemongrass beef with spicy cucumbers and chilled sesame noodles; and mussels with coconut curry, scallions, and egg noodles. Bobo’s signature sauces are also available for purchase. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. 278 N. Skinker, 314-863-7373, bobonoodle.com. $

Cicero’s American. Known for its large portions, inexpensive prices, and the largest beer selection in U. City (plus beer school every Wednesday), this Loop classic doubles as a popular music venue, with bands playing almost every night of the week. Lunch and dinner daily. 6691 Delmar, 314- 862-0009, ciceros-stl.com. $$

Corner 17 Chinese. You’ll get dinner and a show at this Loop treasure: Fresh noodles are pulled, twisted, and prepared in front of you; they’re available pan-seared or in a soup. Also featured are traditional Sichuan dishes, such as cumin lamb and twice-cooked pork, and whole-milk sweet bubble tea. Lunch and dinner daily. 6623 Delmar, 314-727-2402. $

Colleen’s American. What began as a custom cookie bakery (and a darned good one) has morphed into a bakery/café with sandwiches and salads that match the quality of the expanded cookie and pastry selection. Renowned chef Chris Lee has improved upon an already solid café menu. Breakfast and lunch daily. 7337 Forsyth, 314-727-8427, colleenscookies.com. $

Dewey’s Pizza. This Cincinnati-based chain offers gourmet, seasonal, and create-your-own pizzas for meat lovers and vegans alike. Salads are an afterthought at many pizza joints; here they’re a must. This location (one of six in metro St. Louis) is a few minutes west of the Delmar Loop. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 559 North & South, 314-726-3434, deweyspizza.com/venues/u-city. $

Eclipse American. Inventive fine dining is served amid retro lunar-themed décor at the Moonrise Hotel. The restaurant’s LED-lit bar is a colorful setting for a handcrafted cocktail, and the Rooftop Terrace Bar offers incredible views of the city’s skyline. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 6177 Delmar, 314-726-2222, eclipsestlouis.com. $$

Fitz’s American. Known for its root beer and bottling line, Fitz’s offers a full menu of classic American food. Grab a burger, wings, or nachos with Fitz’s soda—on tap in “bottomless” mugs or in a float. Try the classic root beer, cream soda, or black cherry soda, as well as Fitz’s Hard Root Beer (the city’s first alcoholic root beer), a collaboration with O’Fallon Brewery. Lunch and dinner daily. 6605 Delmar, 314-726-9555, fitzsrootbeer.com. $

Fork & Stix Thai. This under-the-radar side-street eatery serves up authentic Northern Thai cuisine, specifically from the Chiang Mai region. The flavors of lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, cilantro, chili paste, lime juice, coconut, fish sauce, tamarind, mint, sweet chili, garlic, basil, and curry reign supreme here. The most popular menu item here is khao soi (pictured above), a curry noodle soup that packs just the right amount of addictive heat. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun. 549 Rosedale, 314-863-5572, forknstix.com. $

House of India Indian. Long heralded locally and nationally as one of the best Indian restaurants in St. Louis, House of India offers an extensive menu of authentic dishes. The daily buffet is a popular business lunch and weekend tradition for many. Takeout is also available for feasting at home. The restaurant is vegetarian-friendly. Lunch buffet and dinner daily. 8501 Delmar, 314-567-6850, hoistl.com. $$

Jilly’s Cupcake Bar & Café Café. Yes, Jilly’s has some of the best gourmet cupcakes around—and takes the business of sweets seriously. The “everyday” cupcake is a full half-pound. But the menu also offers cake, ice cream, and a full lunch menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches, including a must-try tender brisket sandwich on a challah bun. Sunday brunch, described as a “foodie-fest,” features “the most perfect eggs Benedict” and a make-your-own-cupcake bar. Lunch Mon–Sat, brunch Sun. 8509 Delmar, 314-993-5455, jillyscupcakebar.com. $

Lulu Seafood & Dim Sum Asian. A red-and-gold entrance prepares you for the authentic dining experience you’re about to enjoy. The restaurant’s four chefs hail from Sichuan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing. They bring the regions’ best culinary techniques with them. Two chefs are experts in dim sum; you can also find such dishes as the salt-and-pepper shrimp (pictured). Karaoke is available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Lunch and dinner daily. 8224 Olive, 314-997-3108, luluseafoodrestaurant.com. $$

Mission Taco Joint Mexican. The specialties here are house-made corn tortillas and authentic Mexican street food reminiscent of the offerings in San Francisco’s Mission District. Carne asada fries and huitlacoche empanadas are also notable. The flagship Mission Taco (there’s another location in Soulard) is great for a handcrafted cocktail, too, with 100 percent fresh-squeezed juices, and partially because of the late-night happy hour, it’s become a popular industry hangout. Lunch and dinner daily. 6235 Delmar, 314-932-5430, missiontacostl.com. $

Momo’s Ouzaria Taverna Greek. All of your favorite traditional Greek dishes are expertly prepared and offered with a playful cocktail menu, some ouzo, and a little belly dancing on the side. The menu of cold and hot mezes is extensive. The avgolemono soup (chicken broth with orzo and lemon) is one of the best in the city. And don’t leave without a triangle of baklava. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 630 North & South, 314-863-3511, momosgreekrestaurant.com. $

Nobu’s Japanese/Sushi. At St. Louis’ best Japanese restaurant, the sushi is correctly prepared and presented, with minimal Americanized silliness. Tempura is crisp, golden, and hot. Don’t overlook the noodle dishes—or the kamameshi: seasoned rice, chicken, and vegetables steamed in a pot. Look for Nobu Kidera, one of the city’s true itamae (sushi masters), working the sushi bar. Lunch Tue–Fri, dinner Tue–Sat. 8643 Olive, 314-997-2303. $$

Peacock Loop Diner Diner. Owner Joe Edwards wanted “to create a diner unlike any other in the U.S.” Mission accomplished. Anticipate classic diner fare, plus some surprises, such as a Finals Breakfast Sandwich (served between two waffles). Don’t miss the Carousel of Love (a rotating circular booth) and the peacock memorabilia. The diner never closes, so you can shake a tail feather all night long. Open 24 hours. 6261 Delmar, 314-721-5555, peacockloopdiner.com. $

Pho Long Vietnamese. This no-nonsense noodle joint is short of menu items but long on righteous flavor. Pho Long is an outlier for lovers of this Vietnamese soup, with traditional flavors of charred onion, cinnamon, and clove lurking below a funky, slightly greasy, and oh-so-beefy broth that promises to keep you coming back for more. Lunch and dinner Wed–Mon. 8627 Olive, 314-997-1218. $

Private Kitchen Chinese. The concept’s unique: a bespoke Chinese eatery where you must call ahead, not just for reservations but also to consult on the menu. It’s tiny, intimate, more like eating in the chef’s home than a restaurant, with exquisite service. The dishes are mostly Shanghai-style, with subtle sauces. Seafood is particularly attractive, but everything at this unusual place is memorable. Dinner nightly, by reservation only. 8106 Olive, 314-989-0283. $$

Pi Pizzeria Pizza. President Barack Obama’s favorite pizza comes in thin-crust and deep-dish styles, with Pi’s distinctive cornmeal dough. General and sidewalk seating is expansive, so this location (the flagship) is a good bet before or after an event concert at The Pageant. The pizza is memorable, as are the “oven-blazed” wings and the Slice of Pi, an apple pie with a cornmeal crust. Lunch and dinner daily. 6144 Delmar 314-727-6633, pi-pizza.com. $$

La Pizza Pizza. Heralded by many as the best New York–style pizza in town, La Pizza might also be the tiniest pizzeria you’ve ever visited (so small , it occasionally runs out of pizza). The dough is hand-tossed, the cheese is 100 percent whole-milk, and everything is made in-house. Stromboli, calzones, hero sandwiches, and salads are also available. Lunch and dinner daily. 8137 Delmar, 314-725-1230, lapizzamenu.com. $$

Público Mexican. At Público, the massive hearth, with its wood fire, produces the exceptional flavors of dishes inspired by countries south of the border. Adventurous selections like arepas topped with turkey liver butter, fried sage, and maple syrup share space with comforting tacos al pastor. The presentations are always superb, and the décor is big-city cool. No wonder many consider Público the best new restaurant of 2015. Dinner Tue–Sun. 6679 Delmar, 314-833-5780, publicostl.com. $$$

Randolfi’s Italian Kitchen Italian. Enjoy chef Mike Randolph’s imaginative interpretations of classic Italian dishes, rooted in his family traditions. From sauce to soups, pastas to pizzas, Randolph and his crew execute each dish from scratch, using fresh local ingredients. Don’t miss the Italian-inspired cocktails. Randolph also owns Público, located right next door. Dinner Tue–Sun. 6665 Delmar, 314-899-9221, randolfis.com. $$

Salt + Smoke Barbecue. A singular focus on “barbecue, bourbon, and beer” translates to loads of meat (pulled pork, pulled chicken, ribs, brisket, and smoked trout), craft and barrel-aged cocktails, and more than 40 bourbons. Don’t-miss sides include fried house pickles with flaxseed mayo and burnt-end toasted ravioli. Craft beer is plentiful, and meat (including what many consider the best brisket in town) is available to go. Lunch and dinner daily. 6525 Delmar, 314-727-0200, saltandsmokestl.com. $$

Seoul Taco Korean. The descendant of a still operational food truck mashes up Korean staples such as bulgogi and spicy pork with Mexican musts like tacos and burritos. Owner David Choi’s generations-old, 24-hour meat marination process almost guarantees a return visit. Seoul’s relocation to a larger space in the Loop, then a major expansion one year later, is a testament to its popularity. Lunch and dinner daily. 6665 Delmar, 314-863-1148, seoultaco.com. $

Three Kings Public House Bar & Grill. Three Kings offers an innovative take on classic pub fare. An extensive array of half-pound burgers are listed alongside unexpected dishes like Captain Crunch shrimp, lobster bisque, and zarzuela seafood stew. More than 22 beers are on tap, and 60-plus are available by the bottle, along with house-made infused liquors. Lunch and dinner daily. 6307 Delmar, 314-721-3355, threekingspub.com. $$

Vernon’s BBQ & Catering Barbecue. At Vernon’s, you’ll find a whole lotta barbecue for your dollar: baby back ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken wings, and even smoked tofu. You’ll also notice unexpected flavors: tequila-lime green beans, smoked seasonal fruit, and barbecue nachos. Rolling garage doors in the dining room open up when the weather is nice. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun. 6707 Vernon, 314-726-1227, vernonsbbq.com. $$

Winslow’s Home American. Winslow’s Home offers locally sourced food and home goods. Much of the menu features organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs grown on Winslow’s Farm. Breakfast includes buttermilk pancakes and corned beef hash; for lunch, order the torta rustica or the Brie and brisket sandwich. Breakfast and lunch Tue–Sun, dinner Tue–Sat. 7213 Delmar, 314-725-7559, winslowshome.com. $$

Wonton King Chinese. One of the most authentic Chinese restaurants around, Wonton King offers more than 100 items. Standout entrées include Cantonese dim sum, Hong Kong braised noodles, roast duck, congee, Singapore-style fried vermicelli, and cashew chicken. Lunch and dinner daily. 8116 Olive, 314-567-9997, wontonkingsaintlouis.com. $$