Edition: Green Dining in STL
John Goodman's St. Louis
Author: Beth M. Custer
Editor's Note: St. Louis native John Goodman is famous for his hugely successful TV and movie roles, but St. Louisans know him as a local boy made good. He attended Affton High School and Southwest Missouri State before moving to New York to begin his entertainment career.
9:00
To start a fun day in St. Louis, I’d suggest a horseback ride in West County. The rolling hills west of the city make for interesting trail rides. Rocking J Ranch (6757 Bridle Lane, High Ridge, 636-677-7771) has a combination lesson and trail ride that includes tacking and grooming a horse. Ace Stables (9115 Natural Bridge Rd., 314-427-6995) offers trail rides that meander through five miles of woods and creek beds.
12:00
For lunch, I’d probably go to O’Leary’s (314-842-7678, 3828 S. Lindbergh). O.K., I’ll admit it, I’m a partner in the restaurant, so of course I’d go there. It’s got a nice, relaxed atmosphere where you can just hang with friends, and on Thursday and Friday nights, there’s good karaoke. You’ve got to try the fried pickles, they’re my absolute favorite.
2:00
When you’re in St. Louis, you’ve got to get down to the Arch (St. Louis Riverfront, 314-982-1410). Besides being the tallest monument in the United States, it has a museum with exhibits about the Old West. There are a lot of interesting things to look at, like an actual tipi and a covered wagon. The riverfront near the Arch is a great place to look around. You can check out the new Lewis and Clark statue or take a riverboat ride (Gateway Arch Riverboats, 314-923-3048).
Did You Know?
The Lewis & Clark Expedition is considered one of the major explorations of the world and is credited for opening the American West. Many of the significan points along the eastern edge of Lewis & Clark's route are located in the St. Louis area along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
4:00
Be sure to check out Forest Park. There are so many places to go within the park, like the Missouri History Museum (314-746-4599) and the Saint Louis Art Museum (314-721-0072). You can play a round of golf or row a boat around the Grand Basin.
6:00
I’d definitely hit a steak restaurant for dinner. Dierdorf and Hart’s Steak House (701 Market, 314-421-1772 and 323 West Port Plaza, 314-878-1801) is a good one. They bring the steaks to your table before they’re cooked so you can select the cut you want.
7:00
The best thing to do in the evening is to see a Cards game at Busch Stadium (700 Clark, 314-345-9600). Be sure to root for my favorite player, David Eckstein.
10:00
The Broadway Oyster Bar (736 S. Broadway, 314-621-8811) is a great place to end the evening. They have Cajun and Creole specialties, plus live jazz and blues music.
