Edition: Dining in St. Louis
Phyllis Smith's St. Louis
Author: Beth M. Custer
Phyllis Smith, star of the hit NBC series The Office, often comes home to the picturesque South St. Louis neighborhood where she grew up. Lately, she's been spending time here while waiting out the Hollywood writers' strike. We met at a coffee shop near her home, where we shared a lively conversation about how she would spend a perfect day in the city.
9 a.m. To start off the day, I might take my mom to breakfast at Bob Evans. I live a simple life, so I like homey, unaffected places like that. Don't get me wrong - I appreciate places that are more luxurious too, and I get to enjoy them more often now that I have my job on The Office. My life has changed completely with the show. It's a gift from God, and I'm very grateful.
10 a.m. Sometimes when you're close to something you don't actually see it. Just a few weeks ago I discovered Lone Elk Park (1 Lone Elk Park Rd., 314-615-7275). It's a wildlife area with bison, elk, deer, and beautiful scenery. The day we were there, the elk would walk right up to the cars. The World Bird Sanctuary (185 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd., 636-225-4390) is near there too. The sanctuary holds special events, like sunrise hikes where you learn to identify songbirds, and Owl Prowls, where you look for owls by moonlight.
NOON For lunch, I'd go to this great Italian place in South St. Louis called Pietro's (3801 Watson Rd., 314-645-9263). I love their pizza and salads, and their fettuccine is delicious.
1 p.m. Anyone who comes to St. Louis should try the gooey butter cake, a local specialty which you can find at lots of bakeries - one good one is Federhofer's (9505 Gravois Rd., 314-832-5116). I also have a great recipe that I make myself. It's a big hit in California when I take it to parties. It has lots of butter and powdered sugar, so you don't need a big piece; a little piece will satisfy. Jenna Fischer - she plays Pam on The Office, and is also from St. Louis - makes it too, but she has a different recipe. If that's not enough dessert, you can visit Ted Drewes (6726 Chippewa, 314-481-6655). It's a St. Louis tradition to go there for a concrete, which is a type of very thick frozen custard. One of my colleagues from California was visiting St. Louis recently. She didn't have a car, so she took a $50 cab ride just so she could try Ted Drewes!
3 p.m. A must-see for visitors is the Arch (St. Louis Riverfront, 314-982-1410). You can visit the Museum of Westward Expansion at its base, then take a tram ride to the top.
4 p.m. I love the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw Blvd., 314-577-5100). I've been there hundreds of times with my parents, and I still love it.
6 p.m. For dinner I highly recommend Cusanelli's (705 Lemay Ferry Rd., 314-631-7686), where they serve the most wonderful pizza. It's my all-time favorite pizza in St. Louis!
8 p.m. In the evening I would go to the casinos. In fact, my family and I just did a tour of the casinos last summer. We like the Ameristar Casino ( One Ameristar Blvd., 636-949-7777), and the new casino at Lumière Place (999 N. 2nd St., 314-450-5000) is wonderful. I'm not a big gambler - I like to play the slots occasionally, but my paycheck is not tied up in it!
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
6726 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63109
Ted Drewes is famous in St. Louis and across the nation for its frozen treats.
Gateway Arch
707 N. First St., St. Louis, MO 63102
Since 1965, when construction workers placed the final piece of steel at the apex of the Gateway Arch, over 25 million sightseers have journeyed to its top. Also known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch stands as the 630-foot tall gatekeeper to the Midwest, making it the tallest national monument in the U.S. , and the 4 th most-visited tourist attraction in the world. Its juxtaposition between the Mississippi River and the historical city of St. Louis provides sightseers with much more than a bit of vertigo at journey's end. Whether you pop into a museum, patronize one of the unique eateries at river's edge, or indulge in souvenirs, a visit to the Gateway Arch grounds offers anyone and everyone a memorable experience and a bit of American history.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
Since first opening in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden has acquired contributions from artists, architects, and scientists. Now, secluded oases and photo-ops abound within its 79 acres of natural and architectural splendor. Whether visitors come to brush up on their gardening techniques or simply indulge in personal reflection, the Botanical Garden – also known as Shaw's Garden, after its founder – offers a refreshing natural refuge in the midst of the city.
Ameristar Casino
1260 South Main, St. Charles, MO 63301
The latest and most popular slots, a variety of table games, and a live poker room, all in a Victorian-era atmosphere. Live entertainment every night in the Casino Cabaret and Bottleneck Blues Bar. Eight dining and entertainment venues including the Landmark Buffet, 47 Port Street Grill, Falcon Diner, Pearl's Oyster Bar, and Amerisports Bar & Grill. Free admission, continuous boarding Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-5 a.m., 24 hours Fri.-Sun. and holidays.
Lumiere Place Casino
999 N. 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102
New casino and luxury resort located on Laclede's Landing reflects a hip, urban ambiance.
Lumiere Place Casino: HoteLumiere
999 N. Second St., St. Louis, MO 63102
HoteLumiere is an elegant hotel connected to the Lumiere Place Casino, offering rich accomodations, terrific views of the St. Louis skyline, and most importantly, all the entertainment you can imagine.
