Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Salmon with apple-infused beer blanc at Edgewild Restaurant & Winery
Addie’s Thai House
Thai. This haven for lovers of authentic Thai food offers beautiful presentation and fiery dishes. The Waterfall Beef dish is unique to Addie’s, and the deep-fried sweet potatoes with coconut and tom yum gai soup are customer favorites. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 13441 Olive, 341-469-1660, addiesthaihouse.com. $$
Annie Gunn’s
American. Annie Gunn’s has earned an esteemed spot in the St. Louis culinary lexicon and beyond. Every dish on its traditional American menu—a robust steak, a signature hamburger, apple pie—is approached with passion, creativity, and an eye toward tasteful composition. Pair that food with a glass of wine from an award-winning list of more than 300 bottles. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun. 16806 Chesterfield Airport, 636-532-7684, anniegunns.com. $$$$
Balaban’s
American. An extensive wine list spans more than 860 offerings, including a Library Wine Collection with 250-plus older vintage varieties. The contemporary American menu’s influenced by French, Spanish, and Italian cuisine, with small plates, flatbreads, and entrée portions. And more vino is available in the wine shop. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat, brunch Sun. 1772 Clarkson, 636-449-6700, balabanswine.com. $$
Bishop’s Post
American. Bishop’s Post takes its name from Col. Justus Post, original owner of the land on which it sits, and is grounded in the history of Chesterfield’s beginnings. Likewise, its menu features classic American dishes: a bounty of chicken, beef, and seafood, including St. Louis–style spare ribs, Maryland crab cakes, smoked Missouri trout, and a spicy andouille-and-seafood gumbo. Complimentary house-made sweet potato chips and an onion dip are a nice treat. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily, brunch Sun. 16125 Chesterfield Pkwy. W., 636-536-9404, bishopspost.com. $$$
Charlie Gitto’s
Italian. Classic Italian simultaneously accommodates dressing up and dressing down. The eggplant Napoleon is a wonder of culinary architecture, and Nunzio—as in Gitto’s signature veal dish—is apparently Italian for Oscar. Dinner daily, lunch Mon–Fri. 15525 Olive, 636-536-2199; charliegittos.com. $$$
Circle 7 Ranch Taphouse & Grill
Bar & Grill. Circle 7 Ranch is a rustic taphouse and grill featuring personal table taps—the first in Missouri—that allow patrons to pour cold draft beers tableside. The menu offers hearty bar food favorites, with an extensive burger, wrap, sandwich, and salad selection, as well as mac and cheese 11 ways. Unexpected options—corn fritters, dirty fries, and fried pickles—round out the menu. Lunch Tue–Sun, dinner daily. 14412 Clayton, 636-220-9707, circle7ranch.com. $$
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
American. This Chicago-based restaurant/winery hybrid offers a wine-paired menu in a large multi-room space that belies its size. A mandatory stop is the tasting room, where guests learn about—and taste—the broad range of Cooper’s Hawk wines. Lunch and dinner daily. 1146 Town & Country Crossing, 636-489-0059, coopershawkwinery.com. $$
Dewey’s Pizza
Pizza. This gourmet pizza chain serves inventive specialty pizzas, as well as seasonal offerings. Rotating craft beers are on tap, with an emphasis on local breweries. A full wine list includes Dewey’s own line from Novy Family Wines. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 1312 Clarkson/Clayton Center, 636-227-3400, deweyspizza.com. $$
East Coast Pizza
Pizza. One of the more underrated pizzerias in the metro region, this sister restaurant to Soulard’s Epic Pizza and Subs features New York–style pies and brick ovens. Large sub sandwiches are built on rolls imported from legendary bakery Amoroso’s in Philadelphia. Lunch and dinner daily. 17304 Chesterfield Airport, 636-536-7888, eastcoastpizza.net. $
EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery
American. Owned by Andy and Dee Dee Kohn, this Chesterfield restaurant has a certified sommelier—perhaps no surprise for a place with its own wines and such dishes as salmon with apple-infused beer blanc, accompanied by wine pairings. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. 550 Chesterfield Center, 636-532-0550, edgewildwinery.com. $$$
Gianfabio’s Italian Café
Italian. Gianfabio’s offers Italian food bliss: eggplant parmigiana, cannelloni, veal piccata, chicken Marsala, linguine tutto mare… Fresh pizzas come from an open-flame brick oven that separates the dining room from the bar. Lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. 127 Hilltown Village Center, 636-532-6686, gianfabio.com. $$$
John Mineo’s
Italian. John and Anna Mineo opened the place with just 12 tables more than 40 years ago. Now run by the next generation, Mineo’s feels rich, so eat accordingly—maybe a rack of lamb with an incredibly reduced jus? Lunch Tue–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. 13490 Clayton, 314-434-5244 johnmineos.com. $$$$
KimCheese
Korean. A wildly popular lunch spot for nearby workers in Chesterfield and Creve Coeur, Kimcheese effortlessly handles crowds. The décor looks Korean country. The menu combinations are unexpected but delicious, with such dishes as pork-belly tacos and burritos plump with Korean BBQ beef, kimchi, rice, and beans. The kalbi burger is amazing. Lunch and dinner daily. 13435 Olive, 314-485-1408, kimcheese.net. $
Llywelyn’s Pub
Bar & Grill. It’s boisterously happy—and not just because of that beer menu that’s longer than a Stephen King novel. It’s suitably pub-ish, with old brick and dark wood. Llywelyn’s serves as a headquarters for all things Celtic in St. Louis. Lunch and dinner daily. 2490 Taylor, 636-821-3000, llywelynspub.com. $$
Manee Thai
Thai. Manee serves some of the best Thai food in St. Louis. The extensive menu includes several unique options, such as northeastern Thai sausage, as well as seasonal dishes like pumpkin red curry, poached pears in red-wine sauce, and homemade pomegranate ice cream. Lunch and dinner daily. 481 Lafayette Center, 636-256-8898, maneethaistl.com. $$
Marcella’s Mia Sorella
Italian. Named one of Thrillist’s “21 Best Italian Restaurants in America,” this sister restaurant to Trattoria Marcella has a contemporary Italian menu centered on housemade pasta, exquisite risotto, and hand-tossed pizza. Even the cheeseburger is exemplary. Lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. 14426 Clayton, 636-333-1015, miasorellastl.com. $$
Mike Duffy’s Pub and Grill
Bar & Grill. It’s like your Uncle Mike’s basement rathskeller—only with a more attractive clientele. Duffy’s is a classic neighborhood St. Louis sports bar, with sandwiches, wings, pizza, and TVs everywhere. Myriad burger varieties are available on the “Burger Heaven” menu. Lunch and dinner daily. 1024 Woods Mill Plaza, 636-394-8855, mikeduffys.com. $
Monsoon Vietnamese Bistro
Vietnamese. Menu favorites at this West County haven for pho aficionados include the “shaking beef,” sizzling Saigon crêpe, and Vietnamese coffee. We’re also partial to the Vietnamese curry, green papaya salad, and calamari with flash-fried spinach leaves. Top it all off with an Asian-inspired cocktail, perhaps the lychee martini. Lunch and dinner mon–Sat. 14248 Manchester, 636-256-8838. $$
Napoli 2
Italian. The notion that great Italian dining is confined to The Hill is dramatically disproven. This Chesterfield restaurant doesn’t miss anything, with elegant décor, gracious service, and a superior wine selection that focuses attention on the menu. Fresh pasta, steaks, and a veal chop the size of Connecticut are combined with classics like eggplant Parmesan and calamari fritti. Dinner daily. 1054 Town & Country Crossing, 636-256-9998, napoli2.com. $$$
Nippon Tei
Japanese. Japanese fusion and a full sushi menu are served in an upscale modern atmosphere. Specialties include soft-shell crab, salt-baked shrimp, and spicy bay scallops with eggplant. The house-made miso dressing with the mixed greens house salad is exquisite. Lunch Tue–Fri, dinner Tue–Sun. 14025 Manchester, 636-386-8999, nippontei-stl.com. $$$
The Original Pancake House
American. Get in line (or check in early on the NoWait app). Even weekday mornings here are packed. The reason: fluffy flapjacks, golden clouds of hash browns, sunrises of eggs. It’s a whole morning of happiness on a plate. The Dutch Baby is a pancake bowl of lemon tart, a powdered sugar–covered tribute to breakfast. Breakfast and lunch Tue–Sun. 17000 Chesterfield Airport, 636-536-4044, originalpancakehousestlouis.com. $
Paul Manno’s Café
Italian. Effortlessly elegant, this upscale Italian restaurant serves such house specialties as pasta della Nonna, cannelloni fritti, and the Sunday gravy pasta special. The romantic, softly lit setting includes 1950s jazz and photos of Italian-American celebrities. Tableside service is superb, as is the wine list. Dinner Mon–Sat. 75 Forum Center, 314-878-1274. $$$
Señor Pique
Mexican. A solid taco menu’s accompanied by flavorful tilapia ceviche, enchiladas de mole, and grilled steak. Everybody’s favorite Mexican desserts—sopaipillas and fried ice cream—round out the menu. Stop by during the day for $1.99 margaritas. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun. 14870 Manchester, 636-394-3455, senorpique.com. $$
Spiro’s
Greek. Specialties at this respected family-owned chain include steak krasato and rack of lamb with scallops. (Try the combination plate if you can’t choose just one dish.) Created tableside, a Greek salad is a nice touch. And don’t forget to save room for a piece of house-made baklava. Call for hours. 1054 N. Woods Mill, 314-878-4449, spirosrestaurant.com. $$$
Table Three
American. Although Table Three might be best known for its large patio, the interior is equally cozy. Begin with Parmesan truffle frites and tempura green beans, then debate the short but appealing selection of main courses. Lunch Tue–Sat, dinner Mon–Sat. 16765 Main, Wildwood, 636-458-4333, table-three.com. $$$
Tucker’s Place
Steakhouse. Portions way past “generous” are standard at this longtime favorite steakhouse. The ribeyes, buttery prime rib, and suitcase-size baked potatoes are legendary. Tucker’s is justly renowned for amazingly low prices on protein. Lunch and dinner, Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 14282 Manchester, 636-227-8062, tuckersplacestl.com. $$
Veritas Gateway to Food & Wine
American. Buy wine in the store and drink it with dinner in the restaurant. (Chef Mathis Stitt’s creative menu changes with the seasons.) Then retire to Mustard’s Bar to finish that wine. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sat. 15860 Fountain Plaza, 636-227-6800, veritasgateway.com. $$$
Vito’s in the Valley
Italian. Chef Gianfranco Munna serves up a menu of pizzas, pasta, and calzones, plus steak and seafood selections. The stellar wine list is focused on Sicilian wines. Dinner Mon–Sat. 138 Chesterfield Towne Center, 636-536-3788, vitosinthevalley.com. $$
Walnut Grill
American. The first Missouri expansion of a mini-chain that began in Pittsburgh, this upscale-casual spot surprises with such fusions as Thai pork mac and cheese. Want to sample idiosyncratic Pittsburgh cuisine? Try the chicken salad, something of a cross between a Rich & Charlie’s salad and a slinger. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily, brunch Sun. 1386 Clarkson/Clayton Center, 636-220-1717, walnutgroverestaurant.com. $$$
Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro
European. This upscale chain offers house-made pasta, brick-oven pizzas, and sustainably sourced seafood. With limestone walls and pillars, a mosaic tile floor, and sconce lighting, Ya Ya’s is impressive both inside and out. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun. 15601 Olive, 636-537-9991, yayasstl.com. $$$
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. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily. 1066 Town & Country Crossing, 636-230-7400, wasabisushibars.com. $$
