Summer STL Restaurants 2021
As summer 2021 wraps up, we wanted to highlight a few of our favorites visits that we did not separately do a blog for. Some of them are new for us and some are all time favorites. (We listed them in alphabetical order for fairness as we like them all). And we added links to their websites to learn more about these great places. Let us know how you like our recommendations!
Blues City Deli - This is one of those places that had been on our radar for a long time and we finally took it on. The Thunderbird - turkey, pastrami, cappicola, bacon and provel; as well as the Veno - hot roast beef, bacon provel and a sweet red pepper sauce were our choices and good ones they were. Another great STL restaurant tucked in a neighborhood and draws lines down the sidewalk at lunch.
Cobalt Smoke & Sea - There are not too many independent restaurants in our area so when this opened up about 2 years ago we immediately checked it out and had frequented it often. The menu consists of items from farmlands as well as the sea, and there is an extensive cocktail and wine list. They recently debuted a new summer menu which we checked out. On this visit we had the lobster roll sliders and their chilean sea bass which was served over carrot risotto with a housemade miso broth. These were great dishes.
The Golden Hoosier - Although we did not eat here, this new place on S Kingshighway is definitely worth a visit. With 3 bars and the outside one being named “The Campground”, there is a fun vibe for everyone. This is a great drinking bar place, however they do have a nice menu of sandwiches, burgers, appetizers, etc, and an extensive cocktail menu. To really learn about what this space is about, please go to their website and check out the About section and watch the videos about the owners’ vision and how it all came about.
Mayo Ketchup - In Lafayette Square, this was another great find this summer. We tried the La Tripleta which was a large sandwich of steak, pork, ham, swiss, bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, onion, potato sticks and mayo ketchup; as well as the Mojo Grilled Chicken with marinated chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and lime. Their secret is in their marination of the meats and the effort really makes a difference. There are so many things to order on this menu that it will take us a few visits to really try them all - which we will.
Scarlett’s Wine Bar - one of our all time favorites. When we want a nice bottle of wine, a relaxing evening outside and good food this is where we head. On this visit we had Crab Cakes and their Italian Sausage & Goat Cheese pizza. Their woodfired pizzas are always great and we have tried many combinations over our visits. We are also huge fans of their charcuterie boards which are almost a meal in themselves. And of course there is a wide variety of wines to choose from. This restaurant is a little sister of Sasha’s Wine Bar but honestly we love this little sister.
Stone Turtle - This restaurant in Dogtown is one of our favorites and one we have suggested to many friends looking for a new place. We like to sit at the bar and on previous visits have had their portobello croutons, tiger rolls, short rib, brisket dip and the mushroom & cheese tagliatelle. On this visit we tried their fried calamari and the steak au poivre which is served with broccolini, crispy polenta and a green peppercorn cognac sauce. This is also a great place if you are a whiskey lover as they have a lot to choose from.
Twisted Biscuit - Although this is a little outside the immediate STL area (Edwardsville, Illinois), it is definitely worth the drive for some great brunch food. On 2 visits we had the Avo-Good-Day, Which Came First, Gangs all Here and Menage Egg Trois - all of which were excellent!! There is something fun on the menu for everyone, including some great morning cocktails as well. This was a great find.
The Woodshack - This Soulard restaurant may be small in size but large in flavor and flair. They smoke all their meats and add them in great combinations. We had the Burley Wich which is adobo pork belly, cotija cheese, guacamole, sunny-up egg, pork rind crunch on a french roll; and the Ragin’ Cajun of maple pecan turkey, bourbon bacon jam, Harvarti cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato and creamy pink peppercorn dressing. The pictures say it all. It's a great, fun casual place.
