Edition: Concierges' Favorite Restaurants
Russ Mitchell's St. Louis
Author: Beth M. Custer
Editor's Note: As anchor of "The Saturday Early Show" and "The Saturday Evening News," Russ Mitchell lives and works in New York, but returns to St. Louis frequently to visit relatives. He's made it big in the Big Apple, but Russ is still an easygoing person whose down-to-earth, Midwestern amiability is unmistakable. Recently he spoke with Concierge Preferred to describe where he would take an out-of-town visitor for a truly memorable day in St. Louis.
St. Louis is a different place than it used to be. There is a new energy here that didn't exist when I was growing up - so much is new, and the city now is so invigorating! Outsiders are introducing things like unique foods and novel ideas, and St. Louis is embracing them. I live in New York, but come back twice a month to visit family, and I've noticed that in many ways St. Louis is like a much larger city; there are parts of it that are very similar to parts of New York. A lot of people come here because of their careers, and they assume that this city is a stepping stone on their career path. People in the TV industry, especially, might think this is just one stop on the corporate ladder. But they end up staying here because it's such a great place to live. Whether you live here or are just visiting, it's easy to have an exceptional day in St. Louis.
8:00 a.m. If I were going to spend a truly memorable day in St. Louis, first I'd get a healthy start by working out at Wellbridge (Wellbridge Athletic Club and Spa, 7620 Forsyth Blvd., 314-746-1500). It's very clean, and they have a very nice staff and excellent facilities.
9:00 a.m. Now that I've worked out, I could really go for my all time favorite breakfast place, the IHOP on Clayton Road. (International House of Pancakes, 8049 Clayton Rd., 314-725-8798). I love that place! You really can't find anything like it in New York. I would eat way too much and negate everything I just did working out. Their breakfasts are terrific, with delicious pancakes that come in lots of varieties like chocolate chip, banana nut, and fruit topped. It's jus always been one of my favorite places to eat. Now, if this were a non-workout day, I would have brunch at Bristol's (11801 Olive Street Rd., 314-567-0272). It's incredible. I've eaten in restaurants all over the country - all over the world - and this is one of the best. It's my favorite brunch because it will last you all day.
10:00 a.m. I love to take my nieces and nephews to the St. Louis Zoo (Forest Park, 314-781-0900). It's very nostalgic for me to ride the train (the Zooline Railroad, a train that weaves through the zoo on a tour of favorite exhibits) and look at the animals I loved to see as a child. And watching the faces of my nieces and nephews as they see those things for the first time is priceless.
12:00 p.m. I love sushi, so for lunch I would go to Nobu (8643 Olive Blvd., 314-997-2303). It's one of my favorite places in St. Louis, with fresh fish and very good service. This is just a coincidence, but it's housed in an old IHOP builidng! It's ironic that my favorite sushi place is located inside a building that once housed my favorite pancake place.
1:00 p.m. I'd take the kids to Grant's Farm (10501 Gravois Rd., 314-843-1700) for the afternoon. It's also a nostalgic place for me - I went on many field trips there as a kid, and spent time there in the summers. You can see wildlife like deer and zebra and antelope roaming free, and feed some animals like the pygmy goats. The famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses live there too. After you look around, you can sample Mr. Busch's products. (Samples of ANheuser-Busch products are available in the hospitality room). If I didn't have kids with me I would go to the Saint Louis Art Museum (Forest Park, 314-721-0072). It's right up there with the best museums in New York. I always stop there, anytime I'm in St. Louis, and check out what's new. I always enjoy the special exhibitions, and the permanent collections are quite extensive.
5:00 p.m. If I had time, I'd go to the movies at my favorite theatre, the one at Plaza Frontenac (Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema, 314-994-3456). It's small and cozy, and has a very pleasant and civilized environment. They usually show sort of intellectual movies, so it's an adult atmosphere with no screaming kids. A great place to enjoy theatre with or without kids is the Muny (Forest Park, 314-361-1900). When I was young, my mom and dad and grandparents and aunt and uncle would all go. I can remember seeing Hello Dolly! with Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway, and The Music Man with Eddie Albert. We all enjoyed that so much. Afterward we would go to the Chase Park Plaza (314-633-3000) and I would get (what else) silver dollar pancakes.
8:00 p.m. For dinner I would definitely go to Tony's (410 Market St., 314-231-7007). It's unreal how good the food is there, and the service is impeccable. I took my mother there recently, and she said "This has been one of the best nights of my life." A new favorite is Monarch in Maplewood (7401 Manchester, 314-644-3995). It's comparable to restaurants on the Upper West Side of New York City that serve good American food with a twist. They have unbelievable presentations and interesting,new flavors.
11:00 p.m. After all that, I'd probably just go home and go to bed. I'd have to get up the next day and work out again to work off all that great food!
