Edition: Concierges' Favorite Attractions, 2006
Celebrity Concierge ...James Gunn
Author: Beth M. Custer
In the fast-moving world of Hollywood film making, St. Louis native James Gunn dazzles audiences with his zany imagination. Speaking from his home in Los Angeles, James let us in on some of his favorite ways to spend a day in St. Louis.
There are lots of cool places
to visit in St. Louis. I moved to New York in my early twenties, and then to Los Angeles, so I don't spend a lot of time in St. Louis now. But when I do get to visit, I like to go to some of the more interesting, unique spots in the city along with some of my favorite places in West County.
8:00 a.m.
If I wanted to go out for breakfast, I'd go to Uncle Bill's Pancake House (636-394-1416, 14196 Manchester, M1;C3). It's very uncommon for the Gunn family to go out to breakfast, though -- instead, I'd probably bring friends to my parents' house for my mom's evil but delicious pancakes. She makes them with heavy whipping cream and butter and they are very, very good. The Gunn family usually has an unruly and disorganized breakfast -- there would be a lot of talking and walking around while holding your plate and eating, not sitting down in one spot.
9:00 a.m.
After breakfast I'd have to go to the Saint Louis Zoo (314-781-0900, Forest Park, M4;B3). I've "adopted" a couple of chimpanzees, Jimiyu and Bakhari, through the zoo's Parents Program, so my wife and I would definitely want to visit the chimps. My wife, Jenna Fischer, and I are big zoo fans. We've been to zoos all over the world, but this one is still the best. It's wonderfull -- and it's still free! Other zoos are good, but they're not free. Another fun place, especially if you have kids along, is Queeny Park (636-391-0900, 550 Weidman Rd., M5;C1). I spent a lot of time playing there as a kid. The playground there is awesome, and they have an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor ice skating rink, and the Museum of the Dog (314-821-DOGS, 1721 S. Mason Rd., M5:C1).
"My wife, Jenna Fischer, and I are big zoo fans. We've been to zoos all over the world, but this one is still the best." - James Gunn
Noon
Annie Gunn's (636-532-7684, 16806 Chesterfield Airport Rd., M1:C3) is where my family goes for lunch, not only because we have the last name Gunn, but because they have some of the best food in St. Louis. I'm not a big meat eater, but they do have great meat and great fish -- I'm sure we'd eat too much and make too much noise, so we'd have to get a private room to keep from annoying the other patrons.
1:00 p.m.
Since I'm from West County, we would stay in the 'hood and do lots of West County things. We might check out an afternoon movie at the Des Peres Cinema (314-822-4520, 12701 Manchester Rd., M5;D1). When my brothers and my best friend, Larry, and I were kids, we didn't always have enough money to go on a vacation for spring break. So we would have "Spring Break West County," and find things to do in our own neighborhood. That was unusual for us though, because other times we would go to the Loop (M4;A3) or the South Grand area (M4;D5).
I'd definitely take friends or visitors to the Tivoli Theatre (314-995-6270, 6350 Delmar, M4;A3) where I saw Dawn of the Dead for the first time. (I remade Dawn of the Dead years later). It was responsible for my love of films, and it was a great help in my knowledge of film. My first movie, Tromeo and Juliet, played there. Next we'd need to check out the Grand South Grand (M4;D5) neighborhood. The feeling there is completely "old St. Louis." There are old restaurants from the '40s, historic houses, and stores that have been there for decades and have a quaint look about them. There's an old small town feel to it -- new buildings and suburbs haven't encroached on it. There's no other place like it.
5:00 p.m.
Later in the afternoon we'd go for drinks at the Way Out Club (314-664-7638, 2525 S. Jefferson, M4;E6) owned by my friends Bob Putnam and Sherrie Lucas. It's a cool place with old movie posters and all kinds of music.
7:00 p.m.
My favorite restaurant is Tony's (314-231-7007, 410 Market St., M2;C4). My family has gone to Tony's every year for Christmas for over thirty years. We started out years ago with just my parents and us kids, so in the old days there were eight of us. Last Christmas there were thirteen of us, counting wives and girlfriends. It's a wonderful place -- you have to spend a little money, but it's worth it. I love the swordfish there, and for an appetizer I would get escargot. Their gourmet ice cream is the best, and that's what I would recommend for dessert.
8:00 p.m.
After dinner we might go to the Venice Cafe (314-772-5994, 1903 Pestalozzi St., M4;D7). It's where I first started doing poetry readings as a kid. A group of poets go there -- most are quite awful, but some are good, and all are amusing. The cafe has a lot of wonderful detailed mosaic work on the walls, floors, and patio.
10:00 p.m.
Bar Italia (314-361-7010, 13 Maryland Plaza, M4;B5) is a great place to go for drinks. I like to walk around the Central West End (M4;B5) -- it's an important social gathering place for St. Louisans, and part of the St. Louis experience.
11:00 p.m.
The night wouldn't be over yet, because we'd have to go to Laclede's Landing (M2;A5). It gets a little rowdy down there late at night, but it's amazing. The brick streets and historic warehouses remind you that St. Louis is a wonderful example of an old riverfront city, but the restaurants and bars definitely have a modern feel.
