Edition: Best Places to Go
Devilishly Delicious in St. Louis
Author: Cheryl Hughey
Devilishly Delicious in St. Louis
Concierges recommend their favorite restaurants.
We polled the concierge staff in St. Louis’s finest hotels to glean their best restaurant recommendations and personal favorites. From authentic Italian pasta to mouthwatering steaks, check out a list that is scrumptiously tempting.
ITALY—WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI
Priding itself on the intermingling of tradition with modern twists, LoRusso’s (3121 Watson Rd., 314- 647-6222) is definitely “not your usual Italian.” Friendly and warm, Rich and Terri LoRusso want your dining experience to be beyond your expectation. With over seven decades of serving St. Louis, Lombardo’s (201 S. 20th, 314-621-0666 and 10488 Natural Bridge Rd., 314-429-5151) takes great pride in sharing their third generation recipes with guests at two locations and their sister site, Carmine’s Steak House (20 S. 4th St., 314-241-1631). Diners are provided with a gourmet experience at Dominic’s, (5101 Wilson Ave., 314-771-1632) and a more casual atmosphere for the business crowd at Dominic’s Trattoria (200 S. Brentwood Blvd. # 100, 314-863-4567).
TRENDS FROM THE SEA
Hip and trendy, the Drunken Fish is not only a place for great sushi, it is a place to mingle and be seen. On Laclede’s Landing, 314-241-9595; in the Central West End, 314-367-4222; and West Port Plaza, 314-275-8300. St. Louis Fish Market (901 N 1st St, 314-621-4612) is within walking distance of the riverfront. The fusion menu of sushi, steak, and seafood (including an impressive wine list), make this eatery a St. Louis original. At Wasabi (1228 Washington Ave., 314-421-3500; and 16 S. Central Ave., 314-721-9970), sushi worshipers will no doubt find a palate-pleasing rainbow of flavors that is well worth their devotion. The classic Japanese cuisine at Sekisui Pacific Rim (7443 Forsyth Blvd., 314-726-0033) expands beyond sushi to offer specialties like a grilled filet marinated with lemongrass and oyster sauce.
STEAK DEVOTION
The oversized steaks, welcoming service, and luxurious wine menu make Dierdorf and Hart’s (323 West Port Plaza, 314-878-1801; and 701 Market St., 314-421-1772) a delectable dining experience. A favorite of the ladies who lunch, Annie Gunn’s (16806 Chesterfield Airport Road, 636-532-3314) has also developed a loyal following of steak devotees, and works with local farmers to provide the freshest in produce. At Citizen Kane’s (133 West Clinton, 314-965-9005), movie memorabilia lines the walls of this lovely Victorian home that has been converted to one of St. Louis’s favorite steak houses.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
Along with serving diner-style hamburgers, hotdogs, and tamales, Carl’s Drive-In (9033 Manchester Rd., 314-961-9652) holds the recipe for IBC Root Beer and makes it onsite. With a historical location on Route 66, Ted Drewes (6726 Chippewa St, 314-481-2652, and 4224 S Grand Blvd, 314-352-7376) is a frozen custard icon and a family tradition for native St. Louisans. The custard is so thick that they’ve been known to sell their concretes upside down. At Boogaloo (7344 Manchester Rd, 314-645-4803), the eclectic assortment of Creole and Cuban menu items (not to mention swings dangling from the ceiling at the bar) provide an adventure and respite from the ordinary. Rigazzi’s (4945 Daggett Ave., 314-772-4900) serves St. Louis comfort food at its best. Order up a taste of old-world pasta and ask for your beer in a “fishbowl.”
LoRusso's Cucina
3121 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63139
LoRusso's Cucina serves up home-cooked traditional Italian food, as well as some special creations from the mind of Restauranteur of the Year 2004, Rich LoRusso.
Lombardo's Trattoria
201 S. 20th St., St. Louis, MO 63103
Since 1934, Lombardo's diners can enjoy a tradition of fine food from the Lombardo Family.
Carmine's Steak House
20 S. 4th Street, St. Louis, MO 63101
Enjoy steak, chicken, seafood and more at this family owned steakhouse located inside the Drury Plaza Hotel.
Dominic's Trattoria
200 S. Brentwood Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63105
Taste the award-winning cuisine at this beloved Italian restaurant.
Drunken Fish
612 N. Second St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Drunken Fish is a popular sushi restaurant and club that offers signature culinary creations and chic atmosphere.
St. Louis Fish Market
901 N. First Street, St. Louis, MO 63102
If you're looking more for surf than turf, St. Louis Fish Market (314-621-4612, 901 N. First St.) is a can't miss seafood restaurant that offers an extensive variety of seafood, sushi, and an award-winning wine list. Dishes are served fresh and with artistic vision, well worth the price that you would gladly pay for any masterpiece. The endless menu offers something for everyone at this seafood restaurant, including a variety of steak and poultry.
Sekisui Sushi Bistro & Sekisui Pacific Rim
3024 S. Grand Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
A deliciously tempting menu that extends itself with creative dishes and sushi items.
Dierdorf & Hart's Steak House
701 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101
A well-respected restaurant that will ignite your passion for steak and the finer things in life.
Dierdorf & Hart's Steak House
323 West Port Plaza, Maryland Heights, MO 63146
A well-respected restaurant that will ignite your passion for steak and the finer things in life.
Annie Gunn's
6806 Chesterfield Airport Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005
Sharing a structure with the quaint Smokehouse Market, Annie Gunn's celebrates American cuisine with a fine selection of wines and food "inspired by the richness of country life.">
Citizen Kane's Steak House
133 West Clinton Place , St. Louis, MO 63122
Pardon the cliché, but this steakhouse is a rosebud of fine dining, widely known for serving the most filling, flavorful, mouth-watering steaks in the midwest. Located in a historic Kirkwood house that was formerly an Irish pub, the restaurant boasts self-cut beef and homemade sauces. The rib eye will leave you speechless, and attentive servers will welcome you like family, keeping your glasses full and your order moving. Reservations are recommended, as tables are usually full, and it may be best to drop the kids off at the hotel first.
Carl's Drive Inn
9033 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO 63144
Relive memories of Route 66 by enjoying a burger and a malt at the counter of this diner.>
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.
Boogaloo
7344 Manchester, St. Louis, MO 63143
A Maplewood restaurant and club that features a Cuban and Creole style menu.>
Rigazzi's
4945 Daggett Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
A long-time beloved Italian eatery on the Hill, noted for its fishbowl beer glasses and delectible pizzas.
Drunken Fish
639 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146
Drunken Fish combines some of the best sushi in St. Louis with one of the hottest nightclubs. Come in for some a nice meal, some Sake bombs, and then hit the dance floor.
Drunken Fish
#1 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63108
St. Louis's premier hotspot for Sake bombs and sushi.
