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.
Sep 22, 2007
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.
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