St. Louis recommendations?

Question

Hello!

I am going to be coming in from Columbus Ohio to St. Louis, on business and this will be my first time in the city, and possibly the state (though as a kid I went to worlds of fun constantly, is that in Missouri?!) at any rate, I would welcome any suggestions on restaurants (more interesting mid priced cuisine) and though I realize this isn't a travel web site, I'd REALLY like suggestions about hotels and what parts of town are cool and safe and what isn't. Again, I realize this isn't a travel website BUT, I'm clueless. Thanks, in advance for any input!

T

Answer

Are you driving in on I-70? Be sure to stop at The Firefly Grill in Effingham IL.

For hotel advice, I suggest going to www.tripadvisor.com

Answer

If you drive and take 70 through Effingham, don't miss the Firefly Grill. If budget is consideration, they usually have a lunch special or two that are reasonable. The regular menu is higher but great bang for the buck.
http://ffgrill.com/index.php

Answer

Phil's is awful Do not go there. Sorry frugal.

Marta,
What part of town are you conducting business in?

FOTD

Answer

I contributed extensively to a long recent thread about St. Louis restaurants here:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/589736

Note, it veers off into a cosmopolitan debate in the middle, but then gets back on track.

Answer

Kopperman's in the CWE has fantastic breakfast--Idaho peppered trout and once they had a special of eggs benedict with aged beef that was incredible. There are some cool boutiques right around there too.
Arcelia's near Lafayette Square is a great spot for Mexican, reasonably priced and a nice atmosphere. 
Schlafly Brewery if you are in to beer--go on the tour and enjoy plenty of free samples.

Answer

Definitely stay downtown: lots of nice hotels and it's more interesting than Clayton. I have some associates who come in often and stay at the Crowne Plaza - rates are good. DO NOT stay at the Holiday Inn Convention Center: too far from the parts of downtown you'd want to visit. Try staying along Washington Avenue or 4th Street north of Pine. Even south of Pine the hotels are nice: I just like the north end of downtown better.

Food - try Sen, Rooster, Tiggins (surprisingly good for such a lousy building) Mosaic, Kitchen K, Wasabi, Lucas Park Grille, Antony's Bar and Morgan Street and Jakes Steaks on the Landing. All are within walking distance of your hotel if you are in the CBD. Personal favorites Sen, Rooster and Mosaic. Not sure if Rooster is open for dinner. 

There are many other good places - your concierge can help out. Downtown has some fine restaurants. Also, if you are a kid at heart find some time to go over to City Museum and take in the glorious weirdness!

Answer

I am visiting from San Francisco. Just went to Smoki' O's. It was amazing! Great hole-in-the wall bbq joint serving St. Louis style chow. The sauce is fantastic, thick, tangy, and spicy. I would recommend the pulled pork sandwich, cornbread (best I have had, and I was raised in Alabama), and cole slaw. I would also try the snoot.

On top of the delicious food - the service is terrific. The guys behind the counter walked us through the menu, and let us sample some of the items we were not familiar with (like the snoot). All in all - two thumbs way up! Give it a try...

Answer

St. Louis is not exactly known for sushi, but if you've got a hankerin' there some very good ones around, and a bunch of pretty good. There are five in Clayton (six if you count San Sae, which I don't). Unfortunately the best sushi is out in West County.

The aforementioned Wasabi- the downtown location is many people's favorite. IMO they do very good job on the basics but only O.K. on anything beyond.

Tani is a fairly new place. Pretty good to very good on the tane, but the texture of the rice was amazing. Someone was either lucky three times or "gets it".

Miso had very good stuff, but I haven't been there for years. The sushi bar is downstairs (there's an elevator in the back for handicapped); it's a singles scene at night and dark and smokey.

Towards downtown but still in Clayton is Sekisui Pacific Rim, a modern looking place with a varied "Pacific Rim" menu and a sushi bar. Pretty good but not top tier. We had really bad service the last time, but I might go back for the Tuesday AYCE if they still have it.

The Ritz had an evening sushi "bar" in the hotel lobby, but I haven't been there in over ten years.



The downtown sushi scene is pretty sparse.
Wasabi is easily your best bet. 
Asia is deep in the Lumiere casino; not bad but pricey and has the constant "ding-ding-ding" of the casino.
Mizu is fairly new. I have not yet been; other CHers may want to comment.
The Drunken Fish in LaClede's Landing. Mediocre sushi and every night is amateur night on the Landing. 

Let us know if you want more details, other areas, or where the best ones are!

Answer

I should second the funky & wild City Museum; not a restaurant but a neato kid's place.

One of the best 'hounder things in Clayton is not a restaurant but a small store: Extra Virgin, An Olive Ovation. Over two dozen oils out for tasting, and some great vinegars and sundries. Not far from Tani. If you go tell them you saw it on Chowhounnd.

Answer

I stay at Napoleon's Retreat Bed and Breakfast in Lafayette Square. It's a better deal than a hotel, it's close to everything and in a cool neighbohood. I skip their breakfast because I'm not an early riser and I like to eat at my faves when in town. The hood has some restaurants, but I would pass on them save Bailey's Chocolate Bar or 33 Wine Shop. I've found this area extremely safe over the years, even in the late 90s when it still had a bad rep. I'm in town usually twice a month if that tells you anything. Really, I should just move there- it's cheaper living than KC! Eat @Niche, Trattoria Marcella, Bobo Noodle House, Rooster and from what I gather on this site, Anthony's Bar and Kemoll's are decent. Have Fun! And yes, Worlds of Fun is in Missouri.

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