Great Rundown of CWE Restaurants

Nice list for the CWE neighborhood restaurants - lots of great food here in the Central West End! Plus looking forward to additions such as Shake Shack and 1764 Public House... and more...

I have my favorites - how about you?

The BBQ Saloon

Barbecue. Owners Phil and Tracy Czarnec, who also run Wild Flower Restaurant across the street, take a nonconformist approach to barbecue. Here, you’ll find spare ribs instead of baby backs, spice pastes instead of rubs, and boutique meats (wild boar, ostrich, kangaroo burgers) in addition to the usual suspects. A back bar with 600 whiskeys sparks conversation and supplies liquid courage. Our favorites include the beef ribs and the coleslaw with blueberries. Lunch and dinner daily.

4900 Laclede, 314-833-6666,bbqsaloonstl.com. $$

Bar Italia

Italian. Come spring, enjoy a gentle breeze and Negroni on the patio. The veal, salads, and pastas—such as a mushroom-studded rigatoni—are notable, as are the antipasti and drinks. It’s a perfect place for people-watching. Lunch and dinner Tue–Sun, brunch sat & sun.

13 Maryland Plaza, 314-361-7010, baritaliastl.com. $$$

The Block

American. “Meat-friendly” hardly covers it. The place has its own meat-for-sale butchery, just in case the braised pork, beef ribs, and bacon jam aren’t enough. On a nice day, consider the multilevel patio. Dinner Mon–Sat, lunch Mon–Fri.

33 N. Sarah, 314-535-5100,theblockrestaurant.com. $$

Brasserie by Niche

French. Chef Gerard Craft’s third restaurant is simply the best brasserie in town. Don’t believe us? Try those mussels, served Normandy-style with cider and leeks. Or savor the braised beef, exquisite steak frites, a glorious croque-madame—and a local draft beer to boot. It’s served in a classic, convivial atmosphere that’s indubitably Parisian. Dinner daily, brunch Sat & Sun.

4580 Laclede, 314-454-0600, brasseriebyniche.com. $$$

Café Osage

American. A hidden gem, Café Osage is tucked into a lush urban nursery where many of the café’s ingredients are grown in season. Lunch options include the Brie LT. Breakfast on the sun-dappled patio is a perfect start to the day. Breakfast and lunch daily.

4605 Olive, 314-454-6868, bowoodfarms.com. $$

Central Table

American. This cavernous hall is populated with miniature eateries producing pizza, sandwiches, pastas… It might sound weird, but it works. At lunch, the place is packed with professionals. Things are more sedate during dinnertime, in a spot that’s bound to please all appetites. Breakfast and lunch Mon–Fri, dinner thu–Sat.

23 S. Euclid, 314-449-1600,centraltablestl.com. $$$

The Chase Park Plaza

American. The historic hotel offers some of St. Louis’ most memorable dining experiences: The Tenderloin Room is known for seared steaks and sauced pepperloin à la tenderloin, gentle refinement, and stellar service.

The Preston is old-style cool and sophisticated, with a serious bar and elevated small plates, including the beautiful charred octopus. And the Chase Club provides a more affordable dining option, with a patio beside the iconic pool. See website for hours.

212 N. Kingshighway, 314-633-3000, sonesta.com. $$–$$$$

Dressel’s Public House

Bar & Grill. Few places capture the Welsh pub experience as well as Dressel’s. The dark wood–and–brick interior holds a lively crowd enjoying draft beers. Completing the effect is the food: rarebit, lamb burgers, fish and chips, soft pretzels. It’s hearty dining in a charmingly informal vintage-feel setting. Lunch Mon–Sat, dinner daily, brunch Sun.

419 N. Euclid, 314-361-1060, dresselspublichouse.com. $$

Drunken Fish

Japanese/Sushi. Everyone eventually passes the intersection of Maryland and Euclid, where there’s no better place to people-watch than at this local sushi chain. Cocktails and Japanese beers are suitable postprandial libations. Lunch and dinner daily.

1 Maryland Plaza, 314-367-4222, drunkenfish.com. $$$

El Burro Loco

Mexican. Hark back to the days when such places as Chi-Chi’s and the beloved Casa Gallardo introduced Mexican food—fajitas, chimichangas, and other then-exotic menu offerings—to the mass market. Toss in the wackiest and most whimsical Mexican décor in town, as well as fishbowl-size margaritas, and you have El Burro Loco. Celebrating an adult’s birthday? Opt for the same free birthday dessert the kids get—or a complimentary shot. Lunch and dinner daily.

313 N. Euclid, 314-224-5371. $$

Evangeline’s Bistro

Cajun/Creole. Enjoy nightly live music and food, both of which lean toward Louisiana traditions. Located at the north end of the Euclid strip, it’s a particularly fine spot for a long, leisurely brunch, especially with New Orleans–style eye-openers like brandy milk punch and a Ramos gin fizz. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sun.

512 N. Euclid, 314-367-3644, evangelinesstl.com. $$

Gamlin Whiskey House

Steakhouse. Whiskey for dinner? Genius! If you want something more than the myriad labels available at Gamlin Whiskey House, the restaurant can fix you up with prime rib, chicken and waffles, or shrimp and grits. The atmosphere’s rustic-chic, with a nice patio and cozy bar. Go early, or make reservations. Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Sat & Sun.

236 N. Euclid, 314-875-9500, gamlinwhiskeyhouse.com. $$$

Handcrafted by Bissinger’s

American. What’s not to like about an attractive café, chocolate shop, cocktail/wine bar that’s open all day? The spiffy wine preservation system—three temperature-controlled cabinets dispensing 2-, 4-, and 6-ounce pours—is worth the trip alone. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

32 Maryland Plaza, 314-367-7750, handcraftedbybissingers.com. $$

Juniper

Southern. Juniper feels like a pop-up restaurant that (fortunately) decided to stick around long-term. It serves some of the best fried chicken in town, along with other down-home Southern eats conjured in a delightfully uptown style. The bread basket is mandatory, as are the exceptional craft cocktails. The scene’s folksy, friendly, and wildly popular. (Note: Juniper plans to move to

4101 Laclede in spring 2018.) Dinner Mon–Sat. 360 N. Boyle, 314-329-7696, junipereats.com. $$

Kingside Diner

American. Looking for a restaurant with a great short stack? Check. How about a kale salad? Check. Whatever your order, ask for a seat on the upstairs patio. The view from this chess-themed throwback is fit for king, queen, or bishop. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

4651 Maryland, 314-454-3957, kingsidediner.com. $

Little Saigon Café

Vietnamese. This snug spot serves Saigon-flavored Vietnamese fare, including pho and other noodle dishes, soft spring rolls, and iced coffee. The outside seating is pleasant, and a wall-length window makes indoor seating equally desirable for watching the neighborhood’s movable circus. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat.

10 N. Euclid, 314-361-8881,littlesaigoncafe.com. $$

Llywelyn’s Pub

Bar & Grill. It’s boisterously happy—and not just because of that beer menu that’s longer than a Stephen King novel. It’s suitably pub-ish, with old brick and dark wood. Llywelyn’s serves as a headquarters for all things Celtic in St. Louis. Lunch and dinner daily.

4747 McPherson, 314-361-3003, llywelynspub.com. $$

Mary Ann’s Tea Room Cafe

Yes, the Central West End has a place to have high tea. But for that experience (which