Some friends and I are going to be spending next weekend in St. Louis, and I was wondering if anyone had any good restaurant suggestions for us. I’ve been to Landry’s, but that’s about it. We’re looking for places where we can eat for $20-$30 each, plus drinks. We’ll be staying near the airport and spending a lot of time in the Washington University area, but driving and/or taking the MetroLink aren’t a problem. Any ideas?
Here’s link to St. Louis restaurants that may help, but they’re all mostly downtown.
this link may also help you in your search.
If you can get to Westport Plaza in west St. Louis County, there’s a place called Robata’s of Japan that I’ve always been partial to.
For great barbeque, try Bandana’s. There are six locations, I think. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s really good. Their slogan is “Smell that Smoke”.
Mama Campisi’s, in The Hill neighborhood.
Also, Zhivago’s is the only Russian restaurant I’ve ever heard of in my life. It’s in Ballwin (a suburb to the west).
Mrs. Rastahomie ate at Hannigan’s at Laclede’s Landing on our honeymoon.
Ahem, a direct email to me would have gotten you an answer…
But, I’ll put my bitterness away for now and say that, for barbecue, Bandana’s is a good choice and has a new location just across I-70 from Lambert. If you feel like a LOT of food, try the casinos (also near the airport). Narrow down the scope of cuisines and I can be a bit more specific as to recommendations.
Bandana’s does indeed kick butt, as does Robata’s, with widely varying styles of kickage.
If you enjoy micro-brewery beer, there’s a place by the name of Old 66 somewhere along Watson, where the restaurant is built literally around a glass-enclosed brewery. From a couple times there, I classify the food as somewhat odd [Fargo]just in a general way[/Fargo], but quite good.
Yeah…Zhivago’s is fantastic, kinda pricey, but i’d say it’s worth it. Plus they got a night club in the basement.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I’ll be looking into a few of those in the next couple of days, assuming my friends can make it on the flights they had scheduled and all that. If they can’t, it looks like it’s McDonald’s and Denny’s for me, all by my lonesome…
And El Cheapo, sure, I could have emailed you directly, but then would I have had the vast culinary knowledge and resources of the entire SDMB-St. Louis chapter at my fingertips? No, that would not have been the case. 
ok, ok, I’ll let you off this time…
I think there is a place (maybe in the Hill neighborhood) where you can get fishbowl size glasses of beer.
Anyone know what I’m talking about…or was that weekend an alcohol induced figment of my imagination?
No longer with us. There’s something called “Sweet Tomatoes” there now.
No one has mentioned Pho Grand (stuff yourself silly for under $10, and boy is it yummy) or The King and I, both on South Grand.
The fishbowl glasses of beer are at Rigazzi’s.
here’s a few of my suggestions
italian - rigazzi’s or zia’s on the hill
seafood - the fish market on the landing, maybe you could head over to the big bang for entertainment afterwards
steak - kobe’s steakhouse
Wooohooo!
The BEST on the planet. Or was, 20 years ago. If I were going to be in STL, I would definitely look them up.
O
Now taking siggestions.
Hey, Juniper, is it this coming weekend or am I too late?
Reason I ask is that I went to Charlie Gitto’s Pasta House downtown and it was awesome! Really great Italian food.
If I’m too late, where’d ya end up going? You do know that the Dillard’s department store downtown has their clearance store in the basement, right? I got $1,100 (added up original price tags) worth of clothes there a couple years ago for $250. This included paying $30 for a silk/linen Ralph Lauren blazer. AWESOME!!
That’d be Rigazzi’s, which someone already mentioned, although I don’t know if they’ve rebuilt after a fire they had a while ago. (anyone have an update? I’d love to go there again!)
Actually just about any of the mom’n’pop type Italian restaurants would be a good choice. But Rigazzi’s has atmosphere!!
South Grand has a number of really good Vietnamese/Thai restaurants. King and I comes immediately to mind, but they’re all in a 4- or 5- block stretch so you could pick one at random!
And if you like ice-creamy type stuff you can’t pass up on Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. There are two locations, one on Chippewa (or is it Watson at that point? ack!) and another on Grand.
Hmmmm…giant glasses of beer=good. I’ll have to further investigate this Rigazzi’s idea…and the thought of good frozen custard leaves my eyes rolled back in my head and a goofy smile on my face. Mmmmm…custard. Must look into that as well.
Bunny: not too late, we’re going this weekend. Thanks for the heads up on the Dillard’s clearance center. I hadn’t heard of that before. I’m a madwoman at that kind of thing! I only see my friend who’s flying out for the visit about twice a year, and I always want to go shopping every time she’s around. If I suggest Dillard’s, it’s going to have to include a lot of “Seriously, I have other interests in life!” Though that would be a lie.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I hate going to a newish place and not knowing good places to eat. I’ve only lived in Missouri, what, four years now? Waaaay to early to expect me to know this stuff! 
Damn! Beer, Baseball and now Gambling. Momma and I have to back to St. Louis and take the babyjesus. Maybe next year.
Last time we were there was our 1st anniversary. I would not recommend Dierdorf and Harts. I’ve had better steaks at Bonanza.
I wouldn’t bring the kid if I were you. According to some of the ads on TV, riverboat gambling makes the baby Jesus cry.
::d&r::
Hell, he’s gotta go. Who do you think is going to drive me home from the brewery?