Tom's Bar & Grill
Coming in and out of St. Louis, I generally take the Metrolink from the airport (STL) to Central West End (and then make my way to the Missouri Botanical Garden).
On my last two trips, I've spent more quality time in the Central West End, which, once you get past the mega-construction around the medical center, is quite nice and full of some intriguing restaurants.
On this trip, I didn't have time for in-depth exploration, but just a quick stop.
My friend Doug was going to drop me off at the Metrolink, but we had some extra time, so he suggested we stop in at Tom's Bar & Grill. Doug suggested Tom's since it had parking and was close to the Metrolink.
Coming from Washington, it was hard to get used to the fact that there was still smoking allowed anywhere (!), but we settled in at the bar for a quick drink.
Service was quick and fine and, if I was looking for a good and frindly spot for a quick drink, I'd be sure to hit Tom's again.
Meal: Drinks
Rating: ***
Address: 20 S Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63108-1410
Website: http://www.tomsbarandgrill.com
Showing posts with label Location: St. Louis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Location: St. Louis. Show all posts
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
R.I.P.: KoKo
R.I.P.: KoKo
With a really interesting mix of Latin-fusion slash Caribbean items on the menu and a cool, yet not too hip dining area, KoKo was a culinary treat.
My one and only visit there was in March 2008. We were sitting around a friend's house trying to decide which great St. Louis restraurant to visit. Once KoKo came up, we jumped into our cars and rode off. Sitting in the same house this month (May 2009), in the same seat (but sipping a different dring - a martini made with an Oregon artisinal gin - thanks again Doug!), I heard that KoKo klosed! So sad.
On my visit, our table started with Zydeco Fries (an appetizer of white-cheddar grits battered with cornmeal and deep-fried) which were really good.
For my entree, I had the pork osso buca, which came with a side of beans. The pork was fork tender and spiced just right.
There was an excellent wine list and great service. Glad I got there before it closed.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 27 March 2008
Date Closed: June 2008
Address: 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St Louis, MO 63139
Website: N/A
With a really interesting mix of Latin-fusion slash Caribbean items on the menu and a cool, yet not too hip dining area, KoKo was a culinary treat.
My one and only visit there was in March 2008. We were sitting around a friend's house trying to decide which great St. Louis restraurant to visit. Once KoKo came up, we jumped into our cars and rode off. Sitting in the same house this month (May 2009), in the same seat (but sipping a different dring - a martini made with an Oregon artisinal gin - thanks again Doug!), I heard that KoKo klosed! So sad.
On my visit, our table started with Zydeco Fries (an appetizer of white-cheddar grits battered with cornmeal and deep-fried) which were really good.
For my entree, I had the pork osso buca, which came with a side of beans. The pork was fork tender and spiced just right.
There was an excellent wine list and great service. Glad I got there before it closed.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 27 March 2008
Date Closed: June 2008
Address: 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St Louis, MO 63139
Website: N/A
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Imo's: IMHO, thumbs up!
Imo's Pizza
I must admit to a bit of trepidation when I decided to go to an Imo's. My usual St. Louis foodies dismissed Imo's as "not even serving pizza, but some substance." On the other hand, a transplanted St. Louian swears by Imo's and always sends me messages when I'm in St. Louis to make sure I go there.
So this time, I was pretty sure I would find an Imo's and stop in. My decision was sealed when the previous night, pulling into a parking space by Sasha's on Shaw, we parked accross the street from the original Imo's!
Since I was planning to hit Forest Park after lunch, I decided on the Imo's nearest Union Station at 2001 Olive St. A dusty and bleak stretch of Olive (far from the trendier spots closer to downtown). Commanding the corner with a large suburban style restaurant look, I was prepared for the worse! Going in the doors, I was greeted by banks of arcade games.
I went up to the counter and after a quick glance at the menu, went with the 8" pepperoni with olives. Oh, and a bottle of Bud (I think this was the first Bud I've had in the 21st century, but hey, I was in St. Louis, what should I order, something Belgian?!).
I took my seat the the pizza arrived a little while later. Looked pretty good, Smelled good. And, cut into little squares, just like the much higher end "pie" at Sasha's on Shaw.
Ah ha! That must be a secret to the St. Louis style pizza, square cut! That explains the Imo's taglines, "Original St. Louis style pizza" and "The square beyond compare."
So how was it? Pretty good! I like the thin crackery crust and the sauce was nice and flavorful. The pepperoni were a bit skimpy, but overall, pretty good.
So how did the square cut come about? According to the Imo's website, here's the story:
So, how was it? Who's side in the great Imo's debate am I on? Well, it's pretty hard to mess up anything with tomatoes and cheese, but even in the Pizza Hut-like atmosphere of this Imo's on a dusty bit of urban wastingland, there was something there! I really liked the crispy crust and the square pieces were really easy to handle and kept you from eating too big of bites.
I feel the need to return to the original on Shaw, would it be even better there (think of the poor franchised shadow's of the great Pizzaria Uno in Chicago that populate the suburbs of America!).
So yes, Ginger, I like Imo's, and think I could come to love it. Adding "St. Louis style" to New York and Chicago in my pizza quiver.
More photos.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 11 May 2009
Address: 2001 Olive St., Saint Louis, MO 63103-1627
Website: http://www.imospizza.com/
I must admit to a bit of trepidation when I decided to go to an Imo's. My usual St. Louis foodies dismissed Imo's as "not even serving pizza, but some substance." On the other hand, a transplanted St. Louian swears by Imo's and always sends me messages when I'm in St. Louis to make sure I go there.
So this time, I was pretty sure I would find an Imo's and stop in. My decision was sealed when the previous night, pulling into a parking space by Sasha's on Shaw, we parked accross the street from the original Imo's!
Since I was planning to hit Forest Park after lunch, I decided on the Imo's nearest Union Station at 2001 Olive St. A dusty and bleak stretch of Olive (far from the trendier spots closer to downtown). Commanding the corner with a large suburban style restaurant look, I was prepared for the worse! Going in the doors, I was greeted by banks of arcade games.
I went up to the counter and after a quick glance at the menu, went with the 8" pepperoni with olives. Oh, and a bottle of Bud (I think this was the first Bud I've had in the 21st century, but hey, I was in St. Louis, what should I order, something Belgian?!).
I took my seat the the pizza arrived a little while later. Looked pretty good, Smelled good. And, cut into little squares, just like the much higher end "pie" at Sasha's on Shaw.
Ah ha! That must be a secret to the St. Louis style pizza, square cut! That explains the Imo's taglines, "Original St. Louis style pizza" and "The square beyond compare."
So how was it? Pretty good! I like the thin crackery crust and the sauce was nice and flavorful. The pepperoni were a bit skimpy, but overall, pretty good.
So how did the square cut come about? According to the Imo's website, here's the story:
As to cutting their pizza into squares, legend has it that came about because Ed used to lay tile for a living and he was always cutting tiles into squares. So naturally, the pizza would be cut into squares too. Over 40 years ago, Ed Imo opened the first Imo’s Pizza on the corner of Thurman and Shaw in the heart of South St. Louis. A tile installer by day and a pizza maker by night, perhaps it was his day job that made him subliminally cut his pizzas into strange, tile-like suares instead of the traditional triangle slices.The other "secret" seems to be the use of Provel processed cheese (Provel is a trademark for three cheeses, provolone, swiss, and white cheddar blended into one).
So, how was it? Who's side in the great Imo's debate am I on? Well, it's pretty hard to mess up anything with tomatoes and cheese, but even in the Pizza Hut-like atmosphere of this Imo's on a dusty bit of urban wastingland, there was something there! I really liked the crispy crust and the square pieces were really easy to handle and kept you from eating too big of bites.
I feel the need to return to the original on Shaw, would it be even better there (think of the poor franchised shadow's of the great Pizzaria Uno in Chicago that populate the suburbs of America!).
So yes, Ginger, I like Imo's, and think I could come to love it. Adding "St. Louis style" to New York and Chicago in my pizza quiver.
More photos.
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date: 11 May 2009
Address: 2001 Olive St., Saint Louis, MO 63103-1627
Website: http://www.imospizza.com/
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sasha's on Shaw: Fierce Prosciutto and more!
Sasha's on Shaw
There's not really too many places to eat around the Missouri Botanical Garden. Well, there is World's Fair Donuts, but, you can't really make a meal of out donuts - well, I suppose you could, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
So, the neighborhood's local foodies were pretty pleased - so they told me - when the owner of Sasha's Wine Bar (in Clayton) opened an outpost on Shaw.
Located on a corner lot, there's a nice outdoor seating area (filled on the night I was there), and two nice spacious dining areas and two bars.
The decor is 21st wine bar. Lots of wine bottles everywhere, including hanging lights made from bottles. And lots of granite. Lots of granite!
We ordered a bottle of Cosentino Sangiovese (2006) which was just delightful and started with the prosciutto and Parmesan platter. The prosciutto was from the local (and nationally known) Volpi Foods. The Parmesan was shaved thick and served along with cornichons, French bread toast and a nice spicy mustard. A good start!
Around the table were ordered a pepperoni pizza, a prosciutto crepe, and the brisket French dip (me).
Before we get to the Dip, a note on the other two dishes. The savory crepe was nicely done and served with the same mustard at the prosciutto and cheese platter. The pizza was quite interesting (I got a taste of both dishes). A very thin crust, a good spicy sauce, and generous pepperoni slices. Though a round, it wasn't cut into the usual pie-shaped wedges, but rather into
squares. I've seen this every now and then and thought it was interesting. Little did I know, this cutting style is a St. Louis tradition!
So, what about the Dip? Nice thin meat, a very chewy and slightly toasted French roll. The dipping sauce was also spiced to compliment the meat. Served with a side of potato salad and pickle, it ranked as a very good French dip.
Service was good with our waiter offering wine suggestions (when our first choice wasn't available). Some reviews have noted that the service was below par and verging on surly. I asked my companions about this (they're regulars) and they said that the first round of
staff hired were a bit problematic, but that they hadn't noticed any problems lately.
Here's to hoping that Sasha's on Shaw will stick around!
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 11 May 2009
Address: 4069 Shaw Ave., St Louis, MO 63110
Website: http://www.sashaswinebar.com/ (not working 13 May 2009)
There's not really too many places to eat around the Missouri Botanical Garden. Well, there is World's Fair Donuts, but, you can't really make a meal of out donuts - well, I suppose you could, but it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
So, the neighborhood's local foodies were pretty pleased - so they told me - when the owner of Sasha's Wine Bar (in Clayton) opened an outpost on Shaw.
Located on a corner lot, there's a nice outdoor seating area (filled on the night I was there), and two nice spacious dining areas and two bars.
The decor is 21st wine bar. Lots of wine bottles everywhere, including hanging lights made from bottles. And lots of granite. Lots of granite!
We ordered a bottle of Cosentino Sangiovese (2006) which was just delightful and started with the prosciutto and Parmesan platter. The prosciutto was from the local (and nationally known) Volpi Foods. The Parmesan was shaved thick and served along with cornichons, French bread toast and a nice spicy mustard. A good start!
Around the table were ordered a pepperoni pizza, a prosciutto crepe, and the brisket French dip (me).
Before we get to the Dip, a note on the other two dishes. The savory crepe was nicely done and served with the same mustard at the prosciutto and cheese platter. The pizza was quite interesting (I got a taste of both dishes). A very thin crust, a good spicy sauce, and generous pepperoni slices. Though a round, it wasn't cut into the usual pie-shaped wedges, but rather into
squares. I've seen this every now and then and thought it was interesting. Little did I know, this cutting style is a St. Louis tradition!
So, what about the Dip? Nice thin meat, a very chewy and slightly toasted French roll. The dipping sauce was also spiced to compliment the meat. Served with a side of potato salad and pickle, it ranked as a very good French dip.
Service was good with our waiter offering wine suggestions (when our first choice wasn't available). Some reviews have noted that the service was below par and verging on surly. I asked my companions about this (they're regulars) and they said that the first round of
staff hired were a bit problematic, but that they hadn't noticed any problems lately.
Here's to hoping that Sasha's on Shaw will stick around!
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 11 May 2009
Address: 4069 Shaw Ave., St Louis, MO 63110
Website: http://www.sashaswinebar.com/ (not working 13 May 2009)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
LemonGrass ... STL Pho!
LemonGrass
Pho, a Vietnamese soup heavy on the cilantro, is a fabulously filling dish with just the right amount of "DIY" to make it fun to boot!
In my Arlington, Virginia neighborhood is Pho 79, one of a group of highly rated - and delicous - pho restaurants. Never one to pass up an opportunity for pho, when Chris (of Countrypolitancooking fame) suggested we go to LemonGrass while I was in St. Louis, it was a no brainer.
Driving from the Missouri Botanical Garden, we took a quick driving tour of Tower Grove Park before turning up Grand Ave. and parking outside LemonGrass.
Walking in past the cook "lobster lights"(see below) we were seated and dove into the menu. I selected the Pho Tai Chin (sliced beef). We also split an appetizer of summer rolls.
When the pho arrived, I added fresh cilantro and bean sprouts to taste and a healthy dollop of chili paste (which I could eat all by itself!). Between the heat of the soup and the chili paste, I was good and warmed up on a slightly rainy Missouri afternoon.
FYI, just to mingle some botany, some taxonomy, and some cooking, visit the Biodiversity Heritage Library to learn more about "lemon grass" or Cymbopogon citratus)
Dish: Medium Rare Beef & Sliced Beef Rice Noodle (Pho Tai Chin)
Meal: lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 27 March 2008
Address: 3161 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118
Website: http://www.lemongrass-rest.com/
Pho, a Vietnamese soup heavy on the cilantro, is a fabulously filling dish with just the right amount of "DIY" to make it fun to boot!
In my Arlington, Virginia neighborhood is Pho 79, one of a group of highly rated - and delicous - pho restaurants. Never one to pass up an opportunity for pho, when Chris (of Countrypolitancooking fame) suggested we go to LemonGrass while I was in St. Louis, it was a no brainer.
Driving from the Missouri Botanical Garden, we took a quick driving tour of Tower Grove Park before turning up Grand Ave. and parking outside LemonGrass.
Walking in past the cook "lobster lights"(see below) we were seated and dove into the menu. I selected the Pho Tai Chin (sliced beef). We also split an appetizer of summer rolls.
When the pho arrived, I added fresh cilantro and bean sprouts to taste and a healthy dollop of chili paste (which I could eat all by itself!). Between the heat of the soup and the chili paste, I was good and warmed up on a slightly rainy Missouri afternoon.
FYI, just to mingle some botany, some taxonomy, and some cooking, visit the Biodiversity Heritage Library to learn more about "lemon grass" or Cymbopogon citratus)
Dish: Medium Rare Beef & Sliced Beef Rice Noodle (Pho Tai Chin)
Meal: lunch
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 27 March 2008
Address: 3161 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118
Website: http://www.lemongrass-rest.com/
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Sub Zero ... my kind of place!
Sub Zero
I like things cold! My office is freezing ... people wear sweaters when they come to see me. Doncha know that I would just love a place called Sub Zero!!!
Well, one problem, I'm not really a vodka person, when it comes to "clears" I'm a gin guy. When I was a kid reading Orwell's 1984, I could tasty the oily smoothness of Winston Smith's Victory Gin. My tastes run more towards Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick's which I'm sure Winston and Julia would never recognize as gin! But I digress!!!
Sub Zero does vodka. Very well! Take a look at the picture: the vodka is kept in the freezer behind the bar. And look closely at the bar, it's frozen. Yes, I'm sure it doesn't really keep the drinks that much colder, but is sure is cool (pun intended!).
As part of my culinary tour of St. Louis, Chris started off with drinks at Sub Zero (where we met up with The Brad for some killer conversation) and finished up later for dinner at The Scottish Arms (review to come).
So, with 200 vodkas to choose from, where to start? I went with a cocktail, the Antioxidant (Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, Stoli Blueberri Vodka, DeKuyper Pomegranate Liqueur and a splash of cranberry) that was quite tasty; I followed that with at Tang Martini (Grey Goose L’Orange, mango liqueur and splash of orange juice). OK, I know, I should have just stuck with vodka shots and laid off the "girly" drinks, but they just looked so good on the frozen bar!
Sad to say, I never had a chance to try their sushi ... but maybe next time!
Dish: cocktails
Meal: drinks
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 26 March 2008
Address: 308 N Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63108
Website: http://www.subzerovodkabar.com/
I like things cold! My office is freezing ... people wear sweaters when they come to see me. Doncha know that I would just love a place called Sub Zero!!!
Well, one problem, I'm not really a vodka person, when it comes to "clears" I'm a gin guy. When I was a kid reading Orwell's 1984, I could tasty the oily smoothness of Winston Smith's Victory Gin. My tastes run more towards Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick's which I'm sure Winston and Julia would never recognize as gin! But I digress!!!
Sub Zero does vodka. Very well! Take a look at the picture: the vodka is kept in the freezer behind the bar. And look closely at the bar, it's frozen. Yes, I'm sure it doesn't really keep the drinks that much colder, but is sure is cool (pun intended!).
As part of my culinary tour of St. Louis, Chris started off with drinks at Sub Zero (where we met up with The Brad for some killer conversation) and finished up later for dinner at The Scottish Arms (review to come).
So, with 200 vodkas to choose from, where to start? I went with a cocktail, the Antioxidant (Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, Stoli Blueberri Vodka, DeKuyper Pomegranate Liqueur and a splash of cranberry) that was quite tasty; I followed that with at Tang Martini (Grey Goose L’Orange, mango liqueur and splash of orange juice). OK, I know, I should have just stuck with vodka shots and laid off the "girly" drinks, but they just looked so good on the frozen bar!
Sad to say, I never had a chance to try their sushi ... but maybe next time!
Dish: cocktails
Meal: drinks
Rating: ***** of 5
Date: 26 March 2008
Address: 308 N Euclid Ave., St Louis, MO 63108
Website: http://www.subzerovodkabar.com/
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Galloping Gourmet - St. Louis Style!
I like to think that the Washington area has some pretty good eating options, but after a couple of trips to St. Louis, mile for mile, bistro per capita, the Gateway to the West has some of the best eats around.
I'm not sure if my friends Chris and Doug are really typical St.Louians (spelling????), but if they are, it's not hard to see why St. Louis can support so many fine eating experiences.
Below are the places that I've had the chance to visit; I'll fill in with more details on all of them over time, but if you are visiting St. Louis, there's not a loser in the bunch. Right now, if I had to pick one, it would probaby be Koko (but maybe that's just because that's were I was last!).
I can't wait for my next trip and some more great eating!
Breakfast
Dinner
I'm not sure if my friends Chris and Doug are really typical St.Louians (spelling????), but if they are, it's not hard to see why St. Louis can support so many fine eating experiences.
Below are the places that I've had the chance to visit; I'll fill in with more details on all of them over time, but if you are visiting St. Louis, there's not a loser in the bunch. Right now, if I had to pick one, it would probaby be Koko (but maybe that's just because that's were I was last!).
I can't wait for my next trip and some more great eating!
Breakfast
- World's Fair Doughnuts
- LemonGrass Restaurant
- Sassafras: Missouri Botanical Garden: Restaurant
Dinner
- Terrene
- Koko
- Vin De Set Restaurant
- Scottish Arms
- 1111 Mississippi
Monday, February 11, 2008
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: St. Louis
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Look in the sky! Is it Ice cream? Is it frozen yogurt? No, it's frozen custard! Not really soft serve ice cream, but something all it's own!
On a not really too cool fall night, we drove out to the iconic Ted Drewes location on Chippewa St. in St. Louis (on the old US 66 route none the less).
The stand (no indoor seating!) was packed with people milling about and waiting to place their order. I'm sort of a plain vanilla person, so that's what I ordered. True to form, my custard arrived thick and creamy, upside down with s spoon stuck inside to let everyone know just how thick and creamy it was.
A perfect bit of nostalgia that's great for summer days, but oh oh, those summer nights!
Meal: after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 13 September 2007
Address: 6726 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109
Website: http://www.teddrewes.com
Look in the sky! Is it Ice cream? Is it frozen yogurt? No, it's frozen custard! Not really soft serve ice cream, but something all it's own!
On a not really too cool fall night, we drove out to the iconic Ted Drewes location on Chippewa St. in St. Louis (on the old US 66 route none the less).
The stand (no indoor seating!) was packed with people milling about and waiting to place their order. I'm sort of a plain vanilla person, so that's what I ordered. True to form, my custard arrived thick and creamy, upside down with s spoon stuck inside to let everyone know just how thick and creamy it was.
A perfect bit of nostalgia that's great for summer days, but oh oh, those summer nights!
Meal: after dinner snacks
Rating: **** of 5
Date: 13 September 2007
Address: 6726 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO 63109
Website: http://www.teddrewes.com
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