Edition: Favorite 30 Restaurants

Quintessential St. Louis

Author: Anne T. Makeever

Take a Hike

If you're visiting St. Louis in August, you probably know first hand that our weather this time of year can be a bit, well, sticky.  But there are days in August that reveal the promis of September and October, that are glorious harbingers of fall, when the heat an dhujmidity spill out of the air and St. Louisans pop out of their air contditioned cocoons for fresh air.  We hope you get one of those days while you're here - or a whole string of them.  And if you do, take a hike.  Forest Park is a lush span of green space right in the middle of the city - in fact it's one of the largest city parks in the country - that will be filled with folks doing that very thing.  Or head to the Missouri Botanical Garden (4344 Shaw, 314-577-9400) and stroll through several extravagant gardens of hostas, roses, vegetables, and much more.  If you've got time to get a little further out of town, try the Laumeier Sculpture Park (12580 Rott Rd., 314-821-1209) where you can commune with nature on trails that wind through the woods while marveling at man's penchant for creating spectacular works of art.

Just Desserts

You deserve it, right?  A reward maybe, or, even better, a bit of temptation.  It is possible, after all, to be just too darn good.,  And if you're of the ilk that receives rewards and temptation via a sweet tooth, then you're in the right place.  St. Louis understands you.  The city has, after all, made The Chocolate Bar (1915 Park Ave., 314-421-2626) one of the most popular night spots in town and it doesn't have a DJ or a house band.  But what it does have is all things chocolate, from drinks to desserts.  If you need something now, and something to take home, then you need Crown Candy Kitchen (1401 St. Louis Ave., 314-621-9650), St. Louis's vintage, 1913 soda fountain and ice cream maker.  This place is retro because it's original, and it's always packed, so expect a bit of a wait.  (The surrounding neighborhood is a little down at the heels but not threatening.)  And don't forget to fill a bag with house-made chocolates for the trip home.  For a homey slice of something fresh from the ovens, check out Marty's Baking (1858 Russell Blvd., 314-773-6161).  Depending on what day and time you arrive, you might choose wonderful creations ranging from a slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie to a tall piece of carrot cake or a variety of cookies and other sweets.  whatever it is, it's sure to make your tummy happy.