[jcrane]

Well I am not familiar with many places on the west side of the Mighty Mississippi to dine and I was thinking of taking the wife to someplace new for Valentine's day. We are ok with dining on Friday instead of Saturday if you think it is too late to get reservations someplace.
My requirements are pretty basic -
1. Good Food - style we are open too - price is not that much of an issue but I am not looking for a $300 tasting menu either.
2. Pretty simple to get too from IL (the whole highway shutdown/detour thing I would like to avoid)
3. Parking that is close as it will most likely be cold and we don't want to walk too far when we get there.
4. Good Food
5. If it is possible to get to the location via the METRO, let me know. We love to take it to the city to avoid driving but I don't know how to get around on it all that way. This would be the only exception to close parking, if we could take the metro to within a few blocks we would consider it!

We have pretty much ate a Zero places in the City. We have been to westport a couple times and we have been to the Melting Pot over in Ucity other than that not really anything. We have never been to the hill, Washington Ave, or any modern "fusion" style places because we really don't know what there is over there.

So lets here them, where do you take your special someone for great evening out?


Thanks


Jamie Crane

[pjchappy]

IF you can get reservations, I highly recommend the Sidney Street Cafe in the Soulard / Benton Park area. Soulard is still in the city, just an old neighborhood.   It's south of downtown, near the AB brewery. 

You could take the Metro to the stadium exits and then just taxi it from there. . .about 1.5 miles taxi drive, if that.

http://www.sidneystreetcafe.com/

[Blackmore]

My wife and I really enjoy "Lorusso's Cucina" on Watson.  Not too hard to get to and not too expensive.  Reservations are needed, but we've always had luck if we go on the early side.  www.lorussos.com   

[Scott F.]

Two very good restaurants,

1111 mississippi or Vin de Set

Neither are inexpensive but they won't break the bank either. Of the two we like 1111 a little better but it really depends on what you like on their menu. They are both just off Chouteau no further out than Jefferson. Very easy to get to while avoiding the whole 40 thing.

Better make reservations darned quick though. Both of these places are usually two weeks out on weekends.

Don't forget, you've Andria's over in O'Fallon, Ill too. Good steaks, nice atmosphere.

A couple more

Niche Bistro and Jimmys on the Park


....can you tell we like to eat out 

[electricbear]

India Palace. If you like Indian food this is the place to go. It's on the top floor of the Howard Johnson hotel at the north east corner of 70 and Lindbergh Blvd. Getting a table is never an issue. Good food and a great view of the airport.

[jcrane]

Thanks for the ideas, we love to eat too and have been wanting to get to the city to eat but we just didn't know where to start. This will get us started!
I had found 1111 Mississippi on the net before and thought it looked good and it is on our short list, most likely NOT for the 14th but soon after.

As far as Indian food goes, never had it so I am not sure what it consists of but I plan on doing some research this week.


Thanks again and please keep the places coming



jamie crane

[sturgus]

I, like Scott eat out quite often and I highly recommend Cafe Provencal. The price is very good, dinner is set at 34.00 for a 4 course and 29.00 for three course. They have the best Rack of lamb that I have ever had. The poached scallops in cream sauce are truly a treat. It is a very nice small and romantic spot and not hard on the pocket.
Sturgus
http://www.cafeprovencal.com/

[KenSeger]

If you want northern Indian cuisine, India's Rasoi on 14222 Manchester Road (just east of Hwy 141/Woods Mill Road in the same strip mall as Uncle Sam's Surplus).  My daughter's college roommate was from Kathmandu, Nepal and was thrilled by the food, as it was the closest thing she tasted to Nepalese food since she arrived in the US.

If you want good Chinese wth a fancy atmosphere, P.F. Chang's, 1295 Chesterfield Pkwy East, 63017.

If you want great Chinese without the fancy atmosphere, Wan Fu, 12033 Manchester Road, 63131 a mile or so east of I-270 on the north side of the street - just west of Schnucks.  If there is a better chinese restaurant in Saint Louis, MO or Omaha, NE for hot and sour soup, Crab Rangoon, and Mongolian beef - haven't found it yet!  The owner, George, I understand is a Hunan that moved to Hong Kong and was a chef there, before he came over here.  The seafood deluxe, the mu shu pork, and the General Tso chicken is excellent too.

Ken

[dwarfed centipede]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but the Old Spaghetti Factory is always good.  I don't remember exactly where it is.  And I think its med-high prices.

[Joe_K]

Sorry if this is a repeat, but the Old Spaghetti Factory is always good.  I don't remember exactly where it is.  And I think its med-high prices.

I believe there's one on the landing.

The Landing is easy to get to w/Metro. Jake's Steaks on the Landing has excellent steaks a very good blackened Tuna. Not as fancy a place as others mentioned for V-day, has a Tex western decor, but good food. The metro will also take you to  Union Station. The restaurant in the hotel  is worth checking out! One of the best meals I ever had was there. I believe they changed names recently.?
Good Luck with your decision.
JK

[daves]

Sturgis goes to the top with a bullet. Cafe Provencal is a block north of the Central West End Metrolink stop, has wonderful food, and is reasonable for a French restaurant, which means it is merely very expensive.

It is along the Euclid stroll, a very fun walk after dinner as well.

[drbrad98]

I'd recommend Trattoria Marcella. I think it's consistently the best Italian restaurant I've found in St. Louis; it's easily comparable to Tony's in terms of food quality, though not so much on atmosphere. It's not dramatically more expensive than Macaroni Grill-type chains, either. It's on Watson, not far from Ted Drewes.

[Joe_K]

Another nice place a block off the Metro, across from the Galleria is Maggianos; # 2 The Boulevard, Richmond Heights. Excellent food! And after dinner you can stroll across the street and take her to Jareds!  (sorry, Jareds is running too many commercials)
Maggianos is a nice restaurant! If not now keep it in mind for future reference.
 JK