Brazies and Ginos Restaurant form two of our pre-vacation, post vacation anchors. At both restaurants, we enjoyed a very nice Hess wine. At Brazie's, it was a 2005 Cabernet, very oaky, with a rich berry finish. The Brazie's house salad is the best with a nice sweet tang that keeps you coming back for more. They, like Gino's also do a nice olive oil herb mix for the pre-dinner bread.
The talapia at Brazie's was nice, very tender, done with pine nuts and spinach but a little heavy on the olive oil. The veal spedini was also nicely done, artichoke and lemon flavors were a perfect balance. At Gino's, Carol had the best veal chop ever, it was nice and smokey with a textured grill flavor. I had the pasta with a Italian sausage, the typical anise flavored variety, and shrimp which made for an interesting merge of taste and texture. I am not a big fan of Gino's salad as the vinegar packs too strong of a punch.
Both restaurants are staples in the south Hampton neighborhood and we feel lucky to have them both so close to home.
Nov 24, 2007
Oct 3, 2007
DeMun Neighborhood
The best coffee is St. Louis comes from the locally owned Kaldi’s Coffee, in the DeMun neighborhood. I was at Murdoch Perk when I realized that any coffee shop serving Kaldi’s is going to be on my top ten list. I can even make a fairly decent cup at home when I use Kaldi’s. And so, I thought I should sample some food there as well. On a recent gorgeous Friday afternoon, I made a lunch run and grabbed a very nice eggplant panini. The eggplant was not chewy but instead melted with each succulent bite. Kaldi’s also serves quiche, soup, and lots of delectable desserts. There is the expected offering of coffee drinks and lots of interesting and expensive smoothies. I opted for a standard ninety cent coffee and with three varieties to choose from, I played it safe with a flavorful decaf. I was able to eat outside and enjoy lunch overlooking a park that is adjacent to the campus of Concordia Seminary; I was struck by the beauty of the DeMun neighborhood. The street is tree lined with a well maintained median. The houses and apartments feel cozy and historic.
There are two other excellent foodie spots in the area, Jimmy’s On the Park and Sasha’s Wine Bar. Jimmy’s offers the famous pasta crunchers and a classy atmosphere. You will see a well-dressed older crowd for Sunday brunch. Sasha’s is the place to go for lunch when you want to play hooky from the world. With a great wine list and lots of great appetizer selections as well as cheese plates, you can sit on their comfortable patio, look at the park and people watch.
There are two other excellent foodie spots in the area, Jimmy’s On the Park and Sasha’s Wine Bar. Jimmy’s offers the famous pasta crunchers and a classy atmosphere. You will see a well-dressed older crowd for Sunday brunch. Sasha’s is the place to go for lunch when you want to play hooky from the world. With a great wine list and lots of great appetizer selections as well as cheese plates, you can sit on their comfortable patio, look at the park and people watch.
Sep 22, 2007
Pueblo Solis
All Mexican food is not created equal so when you find a place that is owned and operated by true Mexican immigrants, there is always hope it will be good. Pueblo Solis is my favorite place in St. Louis and I still like it after returning from a recent vacation to San Diego where the quality is beyond outstanding. The menu offers several classic Mexican seafood dishes utilizing tilapia and salmon as well as mole sauce. The standard offerings of combo platters feature tostadas, tacos, sopes, flauta, enchiladas, and tamales.
Instead of the somewhat soggy offerings of many low end Mexican restaurants, Pueblo Solis offers flautas with a crisp and crunch that almost reminded me of San Diego. The refried beans and rice are typical but good.
Before ordering the main course though, it is worth trying the guacamole, though it will hit you for a $6.95 charge. The free chips and salsa may be a better deal since the salsa is home made. You will get three different types, two red and a green. Depending on the hotness of the jalapenos, you may get a surprise of find all three to be relatively mild. The margarita’s are usually good but if you are there on the regular bartender’s night off, they can be weak and lacking the usual punch. An upgrade to the Grand Marnier margarita will rarely disappoint.
Instead of the somewhat soggy offerings of many low end Mexican restaurants, Pueblo Solis offers flautas with a crisp and crunch that almost reminded me of San Diego. The refried beans and rice are typical but good.
Before ordering the main course though, it is worth trying the guacamole, though it will hit you for a $6.95 charge. The free chips and salsa may be a better deal since the salsa is home made. You will get three different types, two red and a green. Depending on the hotness of the jalapenos, you may get a surprise of find all three to be relatively mild. The margarita’s are usually good but if you are there on the regular bartender’s night off, they can be weak and lacking the usual punch. An upgrade to the Grand Marnier margarita will rarely disappoint.
Sep 19, 2007
South Hampton Neighborhood Restaurants
Murdoch Perk has filled a much needed niche in the South Hampton/Kingshighway neighborhood as a very popular hangout. The place is busy as soon as they open which is 7 AM, Tuesday through Friday and 8 AM on the weekends. It is a great stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you can always have breakfast for dinner and lunch for breakfast. The seating inside is cozy and the walls are covered with a rotating display of local artist. Step out the side door and onto the beautiful patio to enjoy eating outdoors and even share a meal with your dog. They regularly feature a quiche special made with bacon, and tomato or cheese and spinach. The quiche is always fluffy and the crust is flaky and filling. It comes with your choice of potatoes or fresh fruit. The fruit medley consists of grapes, cantaloupe, honey dew and a few strawberries. The potatoes are not fried, so they are very healthy but not crisp enough to suit my taste. Another breakfast regular is the banana walnut waffle, which is everything a waffle should be.
The menu also contains a nice selection of wraps and crepes, all which fill the serving plate and leave you feeling healthy. Murdock Perk is completely smoke free and in addition to great food, you can enjoy a great selection of smoothies and coffee drinks. My favorite is the berry smoothie but there is an excellent peach variety as well as many others.
The Pitted Olive pulls in diners from all over St. Louis and since it is just blocks from my house; I have been there many times. I probably wouldn’t drive in from West County myself but as a neighborhood resource, I can’t complain. Originally planning to sell fresh fish, they bowed to health codes and provide an extensive take-out menu, prepared fresh each day. They also sell wine, beer, and tea. There is limited seating indoors to serve their restaurant patrons but the most appealing feature is the creative patio they built behind the store, overlooking the Bishop DuBourg football field. The patio is covered with a big tent, complete with ceiling fans for the summer and portable radiator heat for the winter. I have experienced the patio on a snowy day in February and a summer rainstorm. Always, it is a cozy and unique experience. The owners make the place as well. Mike is actually a DuBourg graduate and always dreamed of his own place right in his childhood stomping grounds. His wife is not from St. Louis but has the most delicious British accent. The wine list is nice; the pizza appetizers are excellent as are all the small plates. The entrees are on the heavy side to suit me. I have ordered the ribs which have just a little too much sauce and the duck was a bit over done. But others may love it. All in all, the patio makes a visit worthwhile.
Tumos’ is not on the Hill but instead in the South Hampton neighborhood, nestled in the corner of St. Louis Hills. There is nothing fancy about Tumos but it is good basic Italian and not terribly expensive. The affordable carafes of wine are decent, the classic iceberg lettuce side salads, covered with layers of provel cheese are always appealing. The bread always tempts me to over do it on the carbs, though again, it is just sliced Italian bread. It is a place to enjoy the most basic of south St. Louis Italian, toasted ravioli, cannelloni, pasta con broccoli, and spaghetti with meatballs. Save your need for more exotic dishes for another time. The indoor seating area is quaint with elevated booths running down one side and a sports bar theme on the opposite side. The best time for Tumos' is summer when you can enjoy the front patio seating and watch the world go by on Hampton Ave.
The menu also contains a nice selection of wraps and crepes, all which fill the serving plate and leave you feeling healthy. Murdock Perk is completely smoke free and in addition to great food, you can enjoy a great selection of smoothies and coffee drinks. My favorite is the berry smoothie but there is an excellent peach variety as well as many others.
The Pitted Olive pulls in diners from all over St. Louis and since it is just blocks from my house; I have been there many times. I probably wouldn’t drive in from West County myself but as a neighborhood resource, I can’t complain. Originally planning to sell fresh fish, they bowed to health codes and provide an extensive take-out menu, prepared fresh each day. They also sell wine, beer, and tea. There is limited seating indoors to serve their restaurant patrons but the most appealing feature is the creative patio they built behind the store, overlooking the Bishop DuBourg football field. The patio is covered with a big tent, complete with ceiling fans for the summer and portable radiator heat for the winter. I have experienced the patio on a snowy day in February and a summer rainstorm. Always, it is a cozy and unique experience. The owners make the place as well. Mike is actually a DuBourg graduate and always dreamed of his own place right in his childhood stomping grounds. His wife is not from St. Louis but has the most delicious British accent. The wine list is nice; the pizza appetizers are excellent as are all the small plates. The entrees are on the heavy side to suit me. I have ordered the ribs which have just a little too much sauce and the duck was a bit over done. But others may love it. All in all, the patio makes a visit worthwhile.
Tumos’ is not on the Hill but instead in the South Hampton neighborhood, nestled in the corner of St. Louis Hills. There is nothing fancy about Tumos but it is good basic Italian and not terribly expensive. The affordable carafes of wine are decent, the classic iceberg lettuce side salads, covered with layers of provel cheese are always appealing. The bread always tempts me to over do it on the carbs, though again, it is just sliced Italian bread. It is a place to enjoy the most basic of south St. Louis Italian, toasted ravioli, cannelloni, pasta con broccoli, and spaghetti with meatballs. Save your need for more exotic dishes for another time. The indoor seating area is quaint with elevated booths running down one side and a sports bar theme on the opposite side. The best time for Tumos' is summer when you can enjoy the front patio seating and watch the world go by on Hampton Ave.
Aug 29, 2007
Callbox Grill
I eat less and less meat, not that I am trying to become a vegetarian but I have learned to really love the color and flavor of what is healthier. But when a new neighborhood restaurant opened, I had to check it out, even it had all the signs of a meat-eaters paradise. The Callbox Grill décor is French country and the menu is concise, only offering what they do well. There is a small bar area with a saloon ambience. The bar's golden wood has been beautifully done and at least one neighborhood regular can be spotted with a beer and a view of the very modern flat screen TV. If the Cardinals are playing, the game is on and restaurant chatter makes it clear that everyone is watching.
The restaurant is on the corner of Loughboro and Macklind. The simple straightforward menu will hook anyone but an avowed vegetarian. I have briefly tasted the pulled pork and ribs while sharing several meals with my partner but I cannot stop ordering the beef brisket. After three times, I am addicted to the tender savory taste. Each cut spent just the perfect time in the smoker and while all cuts are not created equal, the meat was never tough. The sides are amazing. If you like mayonnaise based potato salad, they serve one of the best. The baked beans are tangy and complement the meat. They serve a Goose Island Pale Ale that works well with the menu. Ordering wine can be a little tricky because an open bottle may have set too long. But point it out and they will graciously open a new bottle and provide a fresh glass. All in all, I feel it is a great addition to the tradition of small friendly corner neighborhood hang outs.
The restaurant is on the corner of Loughboro and Macklind. The simple straightforward menu will hook anyone but an avowed vegetarian. I have briefly tasted the pulled pork and ribs while sharing several meals with my partner but I cannot stop ordering the beef brisket. After three times, I am addicted to the tender savory taste. Each cut spent just the perfect time in the smoker and while all cuts are not created equal, the meat was never tough. The sides are amazing. If you like mayonnaise based potato salad, they serve one of the best. The baked beans are tangy and complement the meat. They serve a Goose Island Pale Ale that works well with the menu. Ordering wine can be a little tricky because an open bottle may have set too long. But point it out and they will graciously open a new bottle and provide a fresh glass. All in all, I feel it is a great addition to the tradition of small friendly corner neighborhood hang outs.
Aug 28, 2007
Guido’s
This place has become my favorite affordable tapas restaurant. The service and quality are not quite to the level of Modesto or Mosaic but the price is right. The restaurant is located on Shaw Ave in the Hill neighborhood and they do serve Italian cuisine. But they also have a unique list of Spanish tapas and very affordable Spanish temperonilla wines. The atmosphere is homey and hearing the Italian music in the background lends a nice touch.
They have a great plate of Spanish cheeses, such as Manchego. There are homemade Spanish meatballs with onions, garlic and a white wine sauce. I loved the baked brie and tomato basil compote that is zingy and flavorful. The Empananadillas pastries are just right, stuffed full with chicken or tuna. The variety is unique and affordable. This is the place to go when you can't make a decision.
They have a great plate of Spanish cheeses, such as Manchego. There are homemade Spanish meatballs with onions, garlic and a white wine sauce. I loved the baked brie and tomato basil compote that is zingy and flavorful. The Empananadillas pastries are just right, stuffed full with chicken or tuna. The variety is unique and affordable. This is the place to go when you can't make a decision.
Feb 26, 2007
Sushi
Over the last few years, my partner and I set out to sample a variety of St. Louis sushi in hopes of discovering new gems and reaffirming why we love our old favorites such as Sekisui on Grand. Other than Sekisui, my primary sushi experience has been SanSai Japanese Grill in Webster Groves. Because my chiropractor has an office nearby, it has become a convenient fast food way of eating sushi. I usually stop by and order the sushi and sashimi platters to go. With the platters comes a pretty decent variety of salads, one with slaw and almonds, another with mixed greens and mandarin oranges. The sushi is good, not always melt in your mouth good but adequate for the price. They serve a classic California roll and a vegetable tempura this is crispy enough to hold up for the ride home. You can also buy a small bottle of sake to take home and complete the experience.
In another review, I covered our experience with Sekisui Pacific Rim in Clayton. As a follow-up, we went there for Tuesday night; all you can eat sushi which is $25. We went with two friends who are experienced with sushi rolls but never had nigiri or sashimi. We ended up ordering a nice array, trying the tempura, spicy crab rolls, Philly rolls, and more.
But for me the classic sushi, particularly the salmon was the highlight of the evening as it absolutely melted in your mouth. The smoked eel was very good. We tried the conch which was a tad chewy but pretty good as well. We also enjoyed a sake flight which was a much better choice than wine from our last visit. You receive four substantial portions of sake which include a very nice dry one, a cloudy one with the flavor of anise, a sweet sake, and a plum dessert wine.
The original order of tempura is huge and they probably are trying to fill you up on something less expensive. But we persevered and kept on eating. Ordering sashimi is not an option and you are instructed to not order more than you can eat. All in all, for the price, it is an excellent way to sample a variety of sushi or possible just gorge yourself on salmon all night.
A recent visit to Wasabi on Washington revealed that there is no limit to the variety of sushi rolls that an inventive chef can create. We found a great variety that didn't even include rice but instead were wrapped in a thin rice paper. This place demands many follow-up visits to sample even more rolls.
A first time experience was the Drunken Fish in the Central West End. The primary pull here was the outdoor dining and recent city ordinance that allows you to bring your dog. The sushi was very good, the drink menu offered a nice selection of martinis and you just can’t beat the ambience. Another West End experience was Sub Zero. This place is all about the vodka, with the frozen bar and perfect temperature vodkas; it is an awesome experience on a hot summers day. We have made a couple visits to a third area place on Lindell and it ranks as average. Back to Clayton, we tried Miso and found it good but over priced. Tokyo Sushi on Lindbergh is a pleasant surprise in south county. I thought it was good after a first visit but upon returning, I enjoyed tuna that was so buttery it literally melted in my mouth. I will be back for more. Tachiabana on Olive was very good but not convenient for us city dwellers. We went on a gift certificate and were pleasantly surprised.
In another review, I covered our experience with Sekisui Pacific Rim in Clayton. As a follow-up, we went there for Tuesday night; all you can eat sushi which is $25. We went with two friends who are experienced with sushi rolls but never had nigiri or sashimi. We ended up ordering a nice array, trying the tempura, spicy crab rolls, Philly rolls, and more.
But for me the classic sushi, particularly the salmon was the highlight of the evening as it absolutely melted in your mouth. The smoked eel was very good. We tried the conch which was a tad chewy but pretty good as well. We also enjoyed a sake flight which was a much better choice than wine from our last visit. You receive four substantial portions of sake which include a very nice dry one, a cloudy one with the flavor of anise, a sweet sake, and a plum dessert wine.
The original order of tempura is huge and they probably are trying to fill you up on something less expensive. But we persevered and kept on eating. Ordering sashimi is not an option and you are instructed to not order more than you can eat. All in all, for the price, it is an excellent way to sample a variety of sushi or possible just gorge yourself on salmon all night.
A recent visit to Wasabi on Washington revealed that there is no limit to the variety of sushi rolls that an inventive chef can create. We found a great variety that didn't even include rice but instead were wrapped in a thin rice paper. This place demands many follow-up visits to sample even more rolls.
A first time experience was the Drunken Fish in the Central West End. The primary pull here was the outdoor dining and recent city ordinance that allows you to bring your dog. The sushi was very good, the drink menu offered a nice selection of martinis and you just can’t beat the ambience. Another West End experience was Sub Zero. This place is all about the vodka, with the frozen bar and perfect temperature vodkas; it is an awesome experience on a hot summers day. We have made a couple visits to a third area place on Lindell and it ranks as average. Back to Clayton, we tried Miso and found it good but over priced. Tokyo Sushi on Lindbergh is a pleasant surprise in south county. I thought it was good after a first visit but upon returning, I enjoyed tuna that was so buttery it literally melted in my mouth. I will be back for more. Tachiabana on Olive was very good but not convenient for us city dwellers. We went on a gift certificate and were pleasantly surprised.
Feb 18, 2007
Sekisui Pacific Rim in Clayton
I love making five PM reservations at trendy places because no one else does. Saturday evening, we did just that and headed out to Clayton to enjoy some sushi and Pacific Rim inspired food. We had our choice of seating and picked one of the two tables between the huge water feature and a nice window view of Forsyth. I continue to see this particular water feature in sushi joints. There is a hug piece of textured glass and water runs down one or both sides into a trough below, a simple but elegant addition to each restaurant.
We took a look at the menu and saw the usual good stuff as well as a few interesting items such as conch salad.
My eyes always search for sashimi as I really feel that rice just gets in the way of good sushi. The rolls are fine as an appetizer or dessert but give me fish. Luckily, we found the perfect fit on the small paper menu, a 16 piece sashimi combo, chef’s choice. As an appetizer, we chose a nice mix of vegetable tempura and the dumplings in a sweet fruit sauce. Both were served with teriyaki sauce and were very tasty. The wine list was average and we mistakenly chose a pinot noir rather than sake. Most of the sakes were really pricey but nothing goes as well with sushi and the pinot was nothing special. The sashimi however, was very tender and flavorful. Even the octopus, which is often chewy, was nearly melt in your mouth good. For dessert, we opted for an order of Philly rolls and finally indulged ourselves in a little rice. All in all, this place has a great menu, great ambience, and we will be back.
We took a look at the menu and saw the usual good stuff as well as a few interesting items such as conch salad.
My eyes always search for sashimi as I really feel that rice just gets in the way of good sushi. The rolls are fine as an appetizer or dessert but give me fish. Luckily, we found the perfect fit on the small paper menu, a 16 piece sashimi combo, chef’s choice. As an appetizer, we chose a nice mix of vegetable tempura and the dumplings in a sweet fruit sauce. Both were served with teriyaki sauce and were very tasty. The wine list was average and we mistakenly chose a pinot noir rather than sake. Most of the sakes were really pricey but nothing goes as well with sushi and the pinot was nothing special. The sashimi however, was very tender and flavorful. Even the octopus, which is often chewy, was nearly melt in your mouth good. For dessert, we opted for an order of Philly rolls and finally indulged ourselves in a little rice. All in all, this place has a great menu, great ambience, and we will be back.
Feb 16, 2007
Pho Grand and Lemongrass
My partner and I have sort of an odd tradition. We always eat Vietnamese food after we have our taxes done by a professional. If there is link, besides the location, it is the idea of eating such a tremendous meal for so little money. Pho Grand is the place that fills that bill. It is an immensely popular place and if you go there any time other than a cold night in February, there is usually a wait. She always gets the same thing, which I always must sample and that is a dish of scallops in a spicy coconut/curry sauce. It is not painfully spicy and fills you up with the warmth. I am more interested in trying a variety off their very extensive menu. This last visit, I had vegetables, noodles and a seafood mix. This dish was not spicy but I had several condiments available to add that extra zing. My favorite condiment is the fish hosein sauce. The seafood in this bowl was very tender, even the calamari was wonderful. There is so much more at Pho Grand to experience, the spring roll appetizers, the green tea dessert, and the seafood pancakes. I will update this review as I expand my experiences there.
Lemongrass used to be a very inexpensive hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant on South Grand. Now it has moved to a much nicer location, just down the street. The food is as good as it always was and the prices didn’t skyrocket. It provides an interesting neighbor to Pho Grand, less than a block away. The primary difference is that there are a multitude of menu offerings that are enhanced with the flavor of lemongrass. Other than that, I find the two restaurants comparable and each has its devoted fans.
Lemongrass used to be a very inexpensive hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant on South Grand. Now it has moved to a much nicer location, just down the street. The food is as good as it always was and the prices didn’t skyrocket. It provides an interesting neighbor to Pho Grand, less than a block away. The primary difference is that there are a multitude of menu offerings that are enhanced with the flavor of lemongrass. Other than that, I find the two restaurants comparable and each has its devoted fans.
Feb 1, 2007
Sekisui
Sekisui was the location of my first sushi experience and as with love, there is nothing like the first time. I had been resistant to the concept of raw fish, especially after ordering a rare tuna once that I could barely stomach. But some friends talked me into trying sushi and they served as expert guides. I left that first dinner with what can be only termed a brain buzz. I felt more alert, more alive, more awake, even after a couple cups of sake. I never equaled that experience again but there was something very powerful there. What was even more amazing was that I loved it and had become an absolute sushi addict. Since then, I have tried sushi in some wonderful places like Berlin, Germany and some adequate places like sushi fast food in Webster Groves but nothing is any better than Seksui.
When I say sushi, I mean the real deal, not just he rolls. Though I do like a number of the rolls that they offer at Sekisui including the St. Louis roll with crab and eel, the Philly roll with crab and avocado, and their Cardinal roll which i ncludes smoked salmon and roe. But my favorite is the sushi sampler platter. I also learned how much I like to order sushimi, which is sushi without the rice. Really the rice is just there to help you fill up since sushi is so expensive. If I were fabulously rich, I would skip the rice entirely. The tuna is often the best you will find anywhere, as is the salmon. My favorite is the smoked eel which is sometimes so melt in your mouth good that you think you have just eaten chocolate.
As a side, the best thing is the variety of vegetable tempura. The tempura has just the right crispiness and sweet potato is the best. I have enjoyed nearly everything I have tried off the menu but at the end of the day, I am there for one thing, sushi. So what are you waiting for, falling in love with sushi is almost like falling in love.
When I say sushi, I mean the real deal, not just he rolls. Though I do like a number of the rolls that they offer at Sekisui including the St. Louis roll with crab and eel, the Philly roll with crab and avocado, and their Cardinal roll which i ncludes smoked salmon and roe. But my favorite is the sushi sampler platter. I also learned how much I like to order sushimi, which is sushi without the rice. Really the rice is just there to help you fill up since sushi is so expensive. If I were fabulously rich, I would skip the rice entirely. The tuna is often the best you will find anywhere, as is the salmon. My favorite is the smoked eel which is sometimes so melt in your mouth good that you think you have just eaten chocolate.
As a side, the best thing is the variety of vegetable tempura. The tempura has just the right crispiness and sweet potato is the best. I have enjoyed nearly everything I have tried off the menu but at the end of the day, I am there for one thing, sushi. So what are you waiting for, falling in love with sushi is almost like falling in love.
Jan 30, 2007
Destination Dining
http://www.destinationdiningstl.com/default.asp
I had heard about the concept behind Destination Dining last year but I was skeptical. The restaurant was taking over a space in south county that had been home to a very excellent Italian restaurant and another French Mediterranean place that never got off the ground. I had been to both restaurants and knew what a great space Destination would have to occupy. But how could a chef feature a new regional cuisine each month and do each one justice? And not having a good answer, I put off this destination. Finally, I decided to check it out and found that in January they were featuring their best of 2005 in a World tour dining experience. Deciding that this would be the ultimate test of the concept, it was time to give it a try. The ambience was as good as ever and I loved the place settings with beautiful china that featured a world map pattern.
The menu offered several "passages", with the full passage including an appetizer, soup, salad, two main courses, and dessert. Since it was a world tour and a chance to taste a wide variety, this was the obvious choice. Even before the appetizer, the chef sent out an excellent fried cheese ball as a pre-appetizer. There was no wine list but ordering a Merlot brought us a good quality, reasonably priced bottle. Adding a wine list would be an improvement however. The soup, billed as Scandinavian, was a creamy rich mushroom that arrived in a small cup. Throughout the meal, portions were always just right. The salad was a pear lettuce salad that was excellent. The main dish offering of lamb from Morocco was out of this world, one of the best lamb cuts that I have ever tasted with a subtle spice that added to the flavor. The other main dish was chicken that was flavored just right and very tender. It was billed as Japanese. In the middle of the main course, three small tastings of sorbet arrived and provided a nice touch. The dessert was beautifully presented and the service was perfect, attentive, knowledgeable, and the waiter had perfect timing on when to bring the next course. All in all, it was an excellent experience and one that I want to repeat. The price is prohibitive however of making this an regular destination.
It was another year before I managed to return to Destination Dining. It turns out that they have changed their approach from monthly destinations to a much more varied rotation of ideas. January 2007 saw four different themes including Egypt, the South Pacific, the White House and my chosen destination, the Titanic. Yes, the menu reflected a slightly pared down 9 course version of the meal served to the Titanic passengers the night the ship sank. Somehow the menu survived and was available on the internet to any restauranteur looking for a unique dining concept. Not to long ago, I had been to the St. Louis Science Center for a Titanic exhibit that included getting a boarding pass upon entry. After viewing this amazing travelling collection, each of us found out in the end whether the passenger on our boarding pass lived or died. It was this experience that led me to choose this dining experience and it did not disappoint. The place was decorated but the best part was the owner dressed as the captain of the Titanic and his willingness to camp it up and play the part.
The meal began with a canape, followed by a consumme that was adequate. The poached salmon with mousseline sauce was very nicely done as was the chicken Lyonnaise that followed. The chicken was paired with an interesting minted green pea timbale that was actually very tasty though not as appetizing to see. At this point in the meal, we had a nice break with a punch sorbet. The remove roast course wa roast sirloin of beef and was a little overdone. The asparagus sald had a nice champange-saffron sauce. There were two desserts, a French vanilla creme eclair and a fruit and cheese plate. As with my first experience, the pacing of the food was nice but this time, I was uncomfortably full at the end, but hey with 9 courses, no wonder the Titanic sunk. All in all, it was another fabulous experience and if my pocketbook and waist line could handle it, I would be there for every destination this year.
A third visit highlighted Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. This was only 4 courses with an optional dessert. I had the hearty vegetable soup followed by a new lettuce salad with sour cream dressing. The intermezzo was a fruit sorbet. All of this was good but not overly impressive. The main course that followed was the best pan-sauteed Northern Lakes perch. It was fluffy and flavorful and made a great second day leftover as well.
Dessert was equally awesome, a caramel apple crisp. The ambience and service did not equal the Titanic experience but all in all, it made for a pleasant, less expensive evening.
I had heard about the concept behind Destination Dining last year but I was skeptical. The restaurant was taking over a space in south county that had been home to a very excellent Italian restaurant and another French Mediterranean place that never got off the ground. I had been to both restaurants and knew what a great space Destination would have to occupy. But how could a chef feature a new regional cuisine each month and do each one justice? And not having a good answer, I put off this destination. Finally, I decided to check it out and found that in January they were featuring their best of 2005 in a World tour dining experience. Deciding that this would be the ultimate test of the concept, it was time to give it a try. The ambience was as good as ever and I loved the place settings with beautiful china that featured a world map pattern.
The menu offered several "passages", with the full passage including an appetizer, soup, salad, two main courses, and dessert. Since it was a world tour and a chance to taste a wide variety, this was the obvious choice. Even before the appetizer, the chef sent out an excellent fried cheese ball as a pre-appetizer. There was no wine list but ordering a Merlot brought us a good quality, reasonably priced bottle. Adding a wine list would be an improvement however. The soup, billed as Scandinavian, was a creamy rich mushroom that arrived in a small cup. Throughout the meal, portions were always just right. The salad was a pear lettuce salad that was excellent. The main dish offering of lamb from Morocco was out of this world, one of the best lamb cuts that I have ever tasted with a subtle spice that added to the flavor. The other main dish was chicken that was flavored just right and very tender. It was billed as Japanese. In the middle of the main course, three small tastings of sorbet arrived and provided a nice touch. The dessert was beautifully presented and the service was perfect, attentive, knowledgeable, and the waiter had perfect timing on when to bring the next course. All in all, it was an excellent experience and one that I want to repeat. The price is prohibitive however of making this an regular destination.
It was another year before I managed to return to Destination Dining. It turns out that they have changed their approach from monthly destinations to a much more varied rotation of ideas. January 2007 saw four different themes including Egypt, the South Pacific, the White House and my chosen destination, the Titanic. Yes, the menu reflected a slightly pared down 9 course version of the meal served to the Titanic passengers the night the ship sank. Somehow the menu survived and was available on the internet to any restauranteur looking for a unique dining concept. Not to long ago, I had been to the St. Louis Science Center for a Titanic exhibit that included getting a boarding pass upon entry. After viewing this amazing travelling collection, each of us found out in the end whether the passenger on our boarding pass lived or died. It was this experience that led me to choose this dining experience and it did not disappoint. The place was decorated but the best part was the owner dressed as the captain of the Titanic and his willingness to camp it up and play the part.
The meal began with a canape, followed by a consumme that was adequate. The poached salmon with mousseline sauce was very nicely done as was the chicken Lyonnaise that followed. The chicken was paired with an interesting minted green pea timbale that was actually very tasty though not as appetizing to see. At this point in the meal, we had a nice break with a punch sorbet. The remove roast course wa roast sirloin of beef and was a little overdone. The asparagus sald had a nice champange-saffron sauce. There were two desserts, a French vanilla creme eclair and a fruit and cheese plate. As with my first experience, the pacing of the food was nice but this time, I was uncomfortably full at the end, but hey with 9 courses, no wonder the Titanic sunk. All in all, it was another fabulous experience and if my pocketbook and waist line could handle it, I would be there for every destination this year.
A third visit highlighted Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. This was only 4 courses with an optional dessert. I had the hearty vegetable soup followed by a new lettuce salad with sour cream dressing. The intermezzo was a fruit sorbet. All of this was good but not overly impressive. The main course that followed was the best pan-sauteed Northern Lakes perch. It was fluffy and flavorful and made a great second day leftover as well.
Dessert was equally awesome, a caramel apple crisp. The ambience and service did not equal the Titanic experience but all in all, it made for a pleasant, less expensive evening.
Jan 3, 2007
Millenium Top of the Riverfront
The Top of the Riverfront at the Millennium Hotel is St. Louis institution. The restaurant is twenty-eight stories above the city and includes views of the new stadium as well as the Arch and barges traveling the river. Generally, the restaurant takes about 90 minutes to make the 360 degrees circle but on a recent visit, we found it rotating quite a bit faster, completing a full turn in a little over an hour.
The last two visits, I have ordered the North Atlantic Pecan salmon pineapple which comes with a pineapple risotto and is topped with a pineapple beurre blanc. On a recent visit, I started off with the soup of the day, lobster bisque which was wonderfully flavorful, rich, and creamy. Another time, I had the iceberg salad wedge which was also a nice touch. The restaurant can be pricey; they were offering a lobster special for $75 on a recent visit and the steak and lobster special was $99. But there are reasonably priced entrees and a decent wine list that can be affordable as well. The food is very good and when you factor in the view, it is St. Louis destination that you do not want to miss.
The last two visits, I have ordered the North Atlantic Pecan salmon pineapple which comes with a pineapple risotto and is topped with a pineapple beurre blanc. On a recent visit, I started off with the soup of the day, lobster bisque which was wonderfully flavorful, rich, and creamy. Another time, I had the iceberg salad wedge which was also a nice touch. The restaurant can be pricey; they were offering a lobster special for $75 on a recent visit and the steak and lobster special was $99. But there are reasonably priced entrees and a decent wine list that can be affordable as well. The food is very good and when you factor in the view, it is St. Louis destination that you do not want to miss.
The Lava Lounge
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a fantastic new St. Louis night spot. In the heart of the Bosnian dominated stretch of Gravois, in south St. Louis, there is an unusual place called the Lava Lounge. At first glance, it is surprising that this place is not in the trendy loft district because it has that feel. It is a beautifully renovated space with an exquisitely done wood bar and an incredible drink selection. The bar stools are super cool as they are adjustable and red. The wall color is also an invigorating shade of red with gorgeous avante garde art on the walls. The DJ is top notch with a great dance selection. The dance floor is a small hardwood floor space that can be turned into a seating area as needed. I was there for a private party so we had a catered dinner that was very good and unique. All in all, it is a must see for the trendy crowd and a great chance to be a pioneer in this Southside neighborhood.
http://www.lavaloungecafe.com/
http://www.lavaloungecafe.com/
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