St. Louis Dopers - Give Me A Restaurant Recommendation, Please

Cafe Society
1

Mrs. Homie and I will be spending Christmas Day in St. Louis. We are looking for a restaurant that will be open that day (no mean feat, of course).

I’m looking for a place that is unique and fun, and has either a chef that is doing innovative things with the menu, or a really unique “concept,” or both. Think of the type of place that you would see on a “Food Porn” show - I want something like that.

Examples of the type of thing I’m thinking about:

The Safe House, Milwaukee

Kuma’s, Chicago

Tattooed Mom, Philadelphia

Thanks, and I look forward to learning more about the cuisine scene in The Lou!

2

My favorite stop every time I’m in St. Louis is Govinda’s on Lindell. Unique, with an original concept? Definitely. Besides, the food tastes good and is economical.

Edit—I mean it was the last time I was there, which I was shocked to realize was already 13 years ago. I don’t know if they’re still in business!

3

Prasino in St. Charles is pretty good, but I’m not enough of a foodie to know if it fits the OP’s criteria.

I travel to STL and Maryland Heights a few times a year so I’ll be interested in what people say here.

4

My wife and I are currently obsessed with Planter’s House, but I have no idea if they’re open on Christmas. My guess would be no. Frankly, I think you’re unlikely to find much that isn’t pretty straightforward and, well, chain-y, that’s open.

(It is pricey, but worth it. Try the poutine. Seriously.)

5

Pricey poutine, really? What do they put on the fries, truffles?

6

I have no clue about being open on Xmas but…

Farmhaus

Niche

Iron Barley

are a couple of me and wife’s favorites.

If you want a more comprehensive look at the restaurant scene in town here is a link to the Riverfront Times Restaurant Page

7

I’ve never been there, but lots of people I used to work with loved Pumpernickles kosher deli in about the middle of St. Louis County. I imagine there’s a decent chance they’ll be open on Christmas. www.pumpernickles.com.

I used to love Uncle Bill’s diner on South Kingshighway. Always packed. Breakfast all day. So greasy you slide off your chair. I think they never close. I can’t find a website for them at the moment though.

8

I’ve never had Uncle Bill’s sober, but I’m told that I like it.

9

Pork white wine caper gravy. It should probably be called “sauce” and not “gravy”. And it’s made with crushed fingerling potatoes instead of fries.

It’s very fancy poutine.

10

My sister-in-law got a smoked turkey from Sugarfire Smokehouse for thanksgiving, and it was pretty awesome. Not really fancy eating, but fairly innovative artisanal BBQ. My brother is friends with the chef, whose restaurants have always been pretty good.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure if they’re open on Christmas, although I think catering pickup on Christmas is available. And even on normal business days, when they’re sold out, they close.

11

Sugarfire is indeed awesome. Be sure to check out their special sides.

While not actually barbecue, their burgers are incredible.

12

Sugarfire is great. I like the one in Olivette more than St. Charles - better atmosphere. The food is good in either place. You can’t go wrong.

But, so far IME, nothing beats Pappy’s Smokehouse for STL BBQ.