These are some of the places of note at which I've eaten. Note that I can't guarantee that they haven't closed or been bought out. You probably won't find a lot of chains here, but there are a few. More restaurants coming soon!
Support your local small restaurants! C'mon, people, the chains and fern bars are fine once in a while, but really, you're going to have just as good of a time at a nice little local place and you're probably getting a more interesting menu and keeping your money local. Spending all your dining dollars at the big chains pretty much guarantees that the big chains are all you're going to get. Are you that afraid of variety? Get with the program!
My friend sarah told me that my selection of restaurants is pretty lame. If you have suggestions, please feel free to suggest away. I like getting something other than spam in my inbox sometimes.
: Same guy that used to be the Mr. Sushi of I Love Mr. Sushi. This is a great place to go have sushi, really really nice sushi. It's in Chesterfield, on Clarkson Road in the shopping plaza with Trader Joe's. They do have takeout which works really well too, I usually don't eat there but will get a huge pile of sushi and bring it home.
The Royale: Bar in the City. They make their own mixers with juice extractors. I ended up buying one just for the hell of it. The menu looks great but I've never eaten there. Service is pretty slow.
The Way Out Club: Local punk hangout. I don't think they even have food, and their drinks are pretty standard as far as bars go, but seriously you have got to see this place.
The Drunken Fish (westport): Another nice Japanese place. Somewhat younger crowd, probably due to being located in Westport Plaza.
J. Buck's (Clayton): Nice menu, upscale decor and crowd, and we've never had a bad time there. I have always been lucky to get good tables or private rooms and they make a damn fine martini. Their steaks are excellent, their salads are great, and their cheesecake is worth the trip. go check them out update: There are now also locations at West County Mall (not so nice), Fairview Heights (never been) and O'Fallon MO (see above).
Annie Gunn's (Chesterfield): Upscale bar and great steaks and dinner. Can be expensive especially if you like wine. Call ahead and make reservations, or get your name on the list early. Otherwise, you're eating at the bar (assuming there's even a place there for you). Still, I can't recommend the place enough.
Imo's (various locations): Imo's has great St. Louis style pizza.
Here, it's made with provolone cheese and a very thin crust. I used to eat
there weekly until I realized it was really probably not conducive to living
for a long time. Some of the locations are better than others.
Fortel's Pizza Den (multiple locations): Another good local chain. If you don't like Imo's, try them before writing St. Louis pizza off. click here for website
Kriegers (multiple locations): Local sports bar chain with typical bar food and sandwiches etc. Still tasty tho.
Bandana's BBQ (Multiple loctions): Dry barbecue, good eating, but I always pig out there. website here!
Frank Papa's (Brentwood): One of those little Italian places
where you have three or four waiters dedicated to your table. High prices
(compared to everywhere else in St. Louis), but it's a great place to take a
date if you want a nice, quiet, and somewhat impressive Italian place. For
an appetizer, try the flash-fried escarole with parmesan.
Bristol's (Creve Coeur): Bristol's is supposed to have great
seafood and great atmosphere. I guess it's as good as you'll get as far as
seafood in St. Louis (after all, we aren't exactly near the coast), and they
do try to keep a very "exclusive" appearance. It comes off as a little too
ritzy for lunch, though. Try it for a nice dinner instead.
Trainwreck Saloon (3 locations): The Westport Plaza location is
one of my favorite lunch spots. Good pick: Cheddar
Bacon basket, which is one of the best but most heart-unfriendly hamburgers
in town. They also have ostrich and bison burgers. Live music at night,
and good happy-hour specials. Not quite as good as it was before the owners
changed (they don't have onion rings now ?!?!?).
Ya-Ya's (Chesterfield): uhh... I guess it was ok. dessert was good. It seemed a little too crowded for as upscale and pretentious as they were trying to be. I guess I'd go back but I wouldn't say I was thoroughly impressed, I just wasn't annoyed either.
Broadway Oyster Bar (downtown near the stadium): Now this is where you go in St. Louis to get yourself some cajun food. A very small place, they take "waiting list" reservations, sometimes there's live music, it looks like a dump, but the food's pretty good and you can have a lot of fun there. Probably better during good weather as there's an outdoor patio that more than doubles the seating. Parking sucks there too. BRING COINS FOR THE METER. you can walk from various garages in the area but I don't recommend it.
Landry's (Union Station): Great seafood place downtown at Union Station. Sort of a Cajun theme to it too. It's a small chain but good food.