The Best of St. Louis, Missouri – 5 Restaurants You Don’t Want to Miss
October 2, 2009
•Le Cordon Bleu
•St. Louis
• 0 Comments
St. Louis might be known primarily as the gateway to the mid-west, but it is also a hot spot for food lovers from around the country. St. Louis style cooking is so popular that it has spread throughout the nation. Perhaps most famous is the city’s barbecue scene, which is based on pork ribs, bratwursts, and corn on the cob.
Tony’s
Tony’s is an icon of St. Louis food service. This upscale Italian restaurant has fed the city for many years, and while spaghetti and meatballs might not be the kind of cooking Missouri is famous for, locals flock to this eatery in droves. Especially recommended is the lobster albanello in a delicious, creamy mushroom sauce or any of the other seafood-inspired pasta dishes served with pride by the establishment. For those who are feeling adventurous and want to sample everything Tony’s has to offer, a tasting menu is also available.
Mike Shannon's Steaks & Seafood
If you are in the mood to have your seafood served alongside a steaming hunk of beef instead of a plate of linguine, then Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood is probably a safe bet. This restaurant has kept true to St. Louis, Missouri cooking with its interesting combination of a traditional steakhouse menu with the trappings of a more modern sports bar. The food is excellent, and Shannon’s has been recognized by a number of St. Louis restaurant guides and received several awards for the quality of its food and service.
Harvest
Heading in a slightly different direction from the comfort food sphere is Harvest. Those familiar with St. Louis food service will appreciate Harvest’s unique philosophy and menu, which is focused on seasonal ingredients and the ultimate in freshness. Whether it is sea bass or portobello mushrooms, a traditional steak or deliciously stewed bok choy, Harvest aims to please with a wide variety of food selections. Named the best new restaurant in the city when it opened in 1997, Harvest has continued to garner praise and notoriety amongst critics and fans of the varied cooking Missouri has to offer.
Eleven Eleven Mississippi
The flavors and style of Northern California are merged with tastes of Tuscan cooking at Eleven Eleven Mississippi. The overall feel of the restaurant is definitely casual, but the factory décor in this historic building combined with the exhibition kitchen make it a fun place for both families and couples to spend an evening. Exotic fare like rabbit shares the menu with an extensive dessert list, which will satisfy the most demanding sweet tooth.
Niche
One of the newest restaurants on this list, Niche exemplifies the more adventurous side of St. Louis, Missouri cooking. The menu is American Nouveau, and is much lighter than some of the other options to be found within the city’s borders. However, it is a must-try for the dedicated gourmet.