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Nippon Tei - Yoshitomo Omakase 10/22/2018

As part of the new #omakase series at Nippon TEI - St. Louis chef Nick Bognar hosted chef David of Yoshitomo for a dinner that gave #stlouis a glimpse of what the future holds. Some highlights of the 20 courses: aged shima-aji, kan-buri, foie rice, cured Saba, uni, unago, smoked scallop, tomago

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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Savage Restaurant 9/30/2018

Chef Logan Ely of Savage is serving up food like nothing else found in St. Louis. His vegetable forward dishes demonstrated the skill it takes to truly celebrate good ingredients.While his style may seem more at home in New York or LA we're grateful to have him here to push the boundaries of fine dining in St. Louis. My one critique would be that as a mid-westerner I would like one course to be more starch or meat heavy. Having said that his 12 course menu is a great value for a night out, even after adding drink pairing. The standout course for me on our initial visit was course 5: 'Fermented yeast mousse, turnips, onion, smoked oil' which honestly tasted like pork belly. Will definitely be going back.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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BLK MKT Eats 10/26/2017

Sushi. Burrito.

This place took my favorite things and rolled them up into one wonderful meal. There are bowls as well but with the burrito, you get the full composed bite in a wrapped up package. I’ve finally tried everything here but my go to is the shaka poke. I adore the OG Fire as well but I can’t do spicy very well so I’m almost crying by the time I’m done with that one (even without the jalapenos).

Not much room to sit and eat, just a counter, so we usually take to go or have it delivered. They run very quickly because their process is so streamlined so you’re in and out with your food very quickly.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 9 S Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

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Acero (multi visits)

Our favorite Italian restaurant in town, and possibly just our favorite restaurant in St. Louis. Always delicious food and excellent service.

Highlights: Build your own 4-course menu for $40 (which is what we always do), Egg Raviolo, The Tagliolini, great wine selection (and knowledgeable staff if you have questions), and a Cheese Plate from Adam.

I’m going to say that again - The Cheese Plate hand selected by Adam: Best cheese plate in town.

Skip The Hill and just go to Acero for actual Italian style food.

Rating: Solid 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 7266 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, MO 63143

Egg Raviolo

Tagliolini: wild  mushrooms,  shallot,  brown  butter,  Parmigiano                

Tonnareli Nero

Roasted Beet Salad

Heavenly Cheese Plate paired with Port

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Squatters Cafe (multi visits)

Chef Rob always serves up fresh and delicious meals along with fast, friendly service. Good variety and specials make this a spot worth visiting on a regular basis.

Very much looking forward to his dinner restaurant when it opens up (hopefully this year).

Rating: Strong 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 3524 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103

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Herbie’s 09/08/2018

Located in Clayton, this is our regular brunch spot. Saturday mornings at 10am we take up our usual spot in the corner booth in the bar and it’s always wonderful (service & food).

We don’t have one thing we each like to order because there is so much on the menu that is good. That being said, their breakfast burrito is my favorite on in St. Louis (note that I sub out the pork for avocado). And sometimes they do a breakfast flatbread which is my husband’s jam - and it is really damn tasty.

They also have bottomless Bloody Mary’s and mimosas and they are always on top of making sure your glass is full.

It’s also right across the street from Half & Half which always has a wait on the weekends so do yourself a favor, drive past them and go to Herbie’s - you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 8100 Maryland Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

Breakfast Burrito

Breakfast Flatbread

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Turn 09/01/2018

Chef David Kirkland is a master with flavors and textures. We mostly hit up Turn for breakfast (and they usually aren’t busy) but they also have an excellent dinner service.

Food is always delicious, different, and fresh.

There were special ricotta pancakes when we went last and they were amazing! Truly a culinary triumph.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 3224 Locust St, St. Louis, MO 63103

L.E.O.

Special: Ricotta pancakes

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L’Acadiane 08/25/2018

We were pretty sad when the Chocolate bar split in half and opened L’Acadiane. And honestly, we are still a bit down about it because getting into the Chocolate Bar now is even more difficult because of much more limited seating. But - that’s not what this is about.

L’Acadiane was good, not spectacular, just good. Service started out pretty slow and it seemed as if there was only one server working even though it was a Saturday... but they weren’t overly busy either (which is not a good sign).

The star of the meal was the tuna tartare. We ended up putting the tuna on the brandade de morue because that was a bit bland but together was delightful. And actually overall, everything seemed a bit under salted.

Not sure if they will make it but we will likely be back at some point.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars Address: 1915 Park Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104

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Sushi KOI 08/22/2018

This is one of my regular lunch spots in the CWE. Their lunch specials are a great deal and the fish is fresh and always well prepared.

I’ve been once when they were busy and service was extremely slow but out of the many times I’ve been, that’s only happened once.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Address: 4 N Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

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Cyrano’s 08/05/2018

Somehow, the fact that Cyrano’s serves brunch completely flew past our radar.

Thank goodness one of our friends mentioned it so we paid them a visit one fine Sunday. It was delicious! One of THE BEST Benedict's I’ve ever had (and I eat a lot of Benedict's). Service was excellent. My glass was never left empty. We arrived right when they opened so it was slow but they quickly started picking up so I would suggest going early.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars for an Egg-ceptional classic brunch! Address: 603 E Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119

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Blood & Sand  07/14/2018

We’ve been members for years but only manage to go once or twice a year but each time we’ve gone the food has been rather fantastic. They are also good about experimenting with different ingredients and combinations, as well as changing up their menu (which we always appreciate).

The food pictured here was from our most recent visit and everything was wonderful! And you can never go wrong if you order their tatter-tots.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars Address: 1500 St Charles St, St. Louis, MO 63103

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the BAO 07/07/2018

We stopped in for brunch on a Saturday and it was empty. You place your order and the counter, pay, then have a seat and they bring you everything.

Staff was friendly and helpful, service was fast, and prices were reasonable.

We enjoyed everything! Bloody Mary’s were spicy and refreshing. The beignets were superb - and my husband is a complete beignet snob. I ordered the Truffle Shroom and it honestly was one of the best things I’ve eaten all year.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars and can’t wait to go back. Address: 14 N Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105

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Nippon Tei 06/30/2018

The sushi scene in St. Louis isn’t too bad... until you go to a really good sushi restaurant in New York then come back home to the St. Louis sushi and realize how low our standards are [and I will post about Sushi Nakazawa in NY eventually].

Luckily we have Nippon Tei in Ballwin to get our fix of sushi the way it was meant to be. They always have a special menu with fresh, exciting cuts they’ve gotten in for that day - order off the special menu. Get a couple items off the regular menu as well but the majority of what is fantastic about Nippon Tei can be found on their specials menu.

The pictures of the food here should speak for themselves and if you’re a sushi lover - this is required eating in St. Louis.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars (would give it higher if I could) Address: 14025 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011

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Egg 06/02/2018

Wondering what the best breakfast place in St. Louis is?

Well wonder no more! May we present you with Egg.

My husband switches it up each time we go because he enjoys absolutely everything on the menu. From the hash to the tacos.

I’m a bit more boring (but I know what I like) so I get the Sautéed Spinach & Avocado Benedict every time. I know I should change it up but how can I when the avocado Benedict is perfect! A full avocado, runny eggs, right amount of Hollandaise sauce, and perfectly cooked potatoes.

Looking for the best boozy coffee drink in town? Egg has you covered on that front as well. Pictures here is Double Espresso, Vodka, Hazelnut Liqueur, Coffee Liquor. Stirred, not shaken.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 2200 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104

Double Espresso, Vodka, Hazelnut Liqueur, Coffee Liquor Stirred, not shaken.

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Brasserie by Niche 11/25/2017

Are you looking for some of the best breakfast potatoes in town? Well you can find them at Brasserie in the Central West End.

We’ve only been to Brasserie a couple time but have never been let down. Service, drinks, food - the entire combo they pull off without a hitch. And those potatoes at brunch will leave you questioning if you’ll ever eat another potato again because surly nothing will compare to the buttery, salty, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside potato perfection found at Brasserie.

Oh, and while it’s not listed on the menu, they can do a vegetarian Benedict for those of you who don’t eat meat.

Rating: 5 out of 5 start for brunch Address: 4580 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

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Sanctuaria 10/08/2017

Note: I am not sure if they still serve brunch or not.

We tried their brunch and it was pretty bad. I ordered a Benedict and as you can see, they held back a bit on the Hollandaise sauce. But the worst part was the Benedict was $14 and those two sad eggs was all I got. I ordered potatoes separate after I realized they weren’t part of the deal (and those were nice).

And I’ve been back a few times for lunch and dinner with co-workers and it is just nowhere near as good as it once was. They seem confused and to have lost their identity. Maybe if they had clearer focus for their food it would be better.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Stars Address: 4198 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110

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Chef Ma’s 09/16/2017

Authentic Chinese cuisine or American Chinese - you have your pick here.

We’ve tried dishes off each and they are both fantastic, just depends on what you’re in the mood for. And you can dine in or carry out.

Highlight: Pumpkin Shrimp. Would have never thought to make this combo but it really works.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars Address: 2336 Woodson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63114

Hot braised tofu with mushrooms

Hot oiled chicken

Pumpkin Shrimp