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.
