Platinum List: Dining

Best Local Coffee House

KALDI’S COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY

Much of what makes Kaldi’s the cream of the crop when it comes to coffee shops is what happens behind the scenes—and around the world. By purchasing the world’s best coffee beans grown sustainably and acquired fairly, Kaldi’s roasts premium blends that we can enjoy on a moment’s notice. Throw in their expert baristas, good food and inviting atmosphere, and you can see why they were voted No. 1.

Deer Creek Coffee

Northwest Coffee

Kayak’s Coffee

Foundation Grounds

 

Most Family Friendly Restaurant

LESTER’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL

At first glance, the wall-to-wall TVs and extensive beer list may speak to sports fans, but at Lester’s, there is something for the whole family. Three convenient locations—Ladue, Chesterfi eld and the CWE—combined with a menu of comfort food staples, mean everyone in your clan will fi nd something to like about Lester’s.

Sugo’s Spaghetteria

The Pasta House Co.

Dewey’s Pizza

Brio Tuscan Grille

 

Best Pizza

Pi PIZZERIA

Since it opened a few years ago, Pi has become one of St. Louis’ fastest-growing and most beloved pizza spots. It now has a pizza truck and five locations, including one in Washington, D.C., within easy reach of one of its ‘First’ fans. Its from-scratch pies (both deep dish and thin crust) and commitment to sustainability make it an easy choice when the craving strikes.

Dewey’s Pizza

Imo’s Pizza

Farotto’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Red L Pizza

 

Best Caterer

BUTLER’S PANTRY

No matter the occasion, the one thing that will get people raving about a party is the food. And when you put your event in the hands of Butler’s Pantry, you’ll understand why. From weddings, to private parties, corporate bashes and community events— for small groups or huge crowds—nothing is impossible for the experienced caterers at Butler’s Pantry. Art of Entertaining Catering St. Louis Steven Becker Fine Dining LaCHEF and Company

 

Most Delicious Burger

THE FATTED CALF

Let’s face it—the burger has gone through a lot of incarnations lately. Versions with Kobe beef, truffl es, lobster and other ingredients have found themselves on the hippest of hip menus. But have a burger at the Fatted Calf, a traditional, 1/3-pound Certifi ed Angus Beef charbroiled burger, and you’ll be reminded that to be spectacular, a burger need not have bells and whistles. This restaurant has been serving up the most American of food obsessions since 1966.

O’Connell’s Pub

Cardwell’s

Blueberry Hill

Annie Gunn’s

 

Best Italian

TONY’S

Tony’s menu is known the world over (really, that’s not an exaggeration) for its delicious attention to detail and its take-your-breath-away luxury ingredients that put the fine in fi ne dining. Our readers agree, voting it the top Italian spot in a city full of worthy contenders.

Lorenzo’s Trattoria

Charlie Gitto’s Italian Restaurant

Dominic’s Restaurant

Café Napoli

 

Best New Hot Spot

360 ST. LOUIS

Perched 400 feet above St. Louis on the rooftop of Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, the view at 360 is breathtaking in all directions. The hot spot could rest on those laurels, but instead ups the ante with carefully crafted cocktails and a delicious globally inspired menu prepared by Chef Rex Hale. Not to mention the fi re pits, fl at screens and the sleek, modern design: They put the hot spot in a class by itself.

BrickTop’s

EdgeWild Restaurant & Winery

PW Pizza

Salt

 

Best Ethnic Food

HOUSE OF INDIA

Oh my. That’s about all there is to say the fi rst time you lay eyes on House of India’s impressive lunch buffet of delicious traditional Indian dishes. From the masala to the korma to the palak paneer, diners line up—well past the point of ‘full’—for just one more helping of their favorite dish. But the buffet is only part of the expansive full menu of authentic Indian favorites that has been bringing customers back again and again since 1995.

Mai Lee

Mandarin House

Aya Sofia

Ranoush

 

Best Outdoor Dining

VIN DE SET

The romantic lighting, the rustic touches, and the sweet skyline make for the most perfect al fresco experience. Close your eyes and for minute, you’ll feel swept away at Vin De Set, without ever leaving home.

Brio Tuscan Grille

Boathouse Forest Park

Scape

Barcelona Tapas Restaurant

 

Most Succulent Steak

RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE

Serving the best-of-the-best cuts of beef for more than 45 years, Ruth’s Chris St. Louis locations have become the go-to-spot for that red meat craving. Seared to perfection at 1800 degrees, every steak arrives to the table sizzling and perfect. It doesn’t get more succulent than that!

Citizen Kane’s Steakhouse

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Annie Gunn’s

 

Best Martini

TASTE

Cocktails have had quite the resurgence—mixologists replacing bartenders, handcrafted spirits gaining favor over tried-and-true brands. Taste, one of Gerard Craft’s hot spots, leads the way, thanks to its attention to detail. You’ll fi nd no pre-mixed martini mixes, no Cosmopolitans in sight—instead, a carefully planned-fromscratch menu awaits to delight even the most discriminating drinkers.

Sub Zero Vodka Bar

Absoluti Goosed

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

Eleven Eleven Mississippi

 

Most Romantic Dining

TONY’S

The food is amazing—there is no doubt about it. But it’s the unparalleled service that makes the St. Louis institution one of the most romantic spots in town. Because somehow, despite being in the middle of a busy dining room, you feel completely alone. Sure, your napkins are replaced, water glasses are refi lled and courses come and go—but Tony’s discreet, experienced team means you barely notice anything but the person across the table.

Sidney Street Cafe

Vin De Set

I Fratellini

Niche

 

Best Chef

GERARD CRAFT

What can we say, the man has the midas touch. Thanks to his skill and savvy, the Niche family of restaurants—Niche, Taste and Brasserie—have become fi xtures among St. Louis foodies, and his presence on the national scene has elevated Craft’s reputation far beyond that of popular local chef. His innovative food and culinary know-how have once again earned him a nomination for his fi eld’s highest honor— this month, he was named a fi nalist in the Best Chef: Midwest category of the coveted James Beard Awards.

Ivy Magruder of Vin de Set

Bill Cardwell of Cardwell’s at the Plaza & BC’s Kitchen

Josh Galliano of Monarch

Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Cafe

 

Friendliest Wait Staff

FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR

Great food and an impressive wine list—and you’ll fi nd those at Flemings—are among the reasons why the Frontenac restaurant a favorite among LN readers. Under the guidance of James Martin and Justin Oliver, the restaurant’s carefully trained staff makes dining there a delight.

Eleven Eleven Mississippi

Paul Manno’s Cafe

Cardwell’s at the Plaza

Barcelona Tapas Restaurant

 

Best Place For Vegetarians

LOCAL HARVEST

Too often vegetarians are relegated to an item or two buried at the bottom on the menu. Not so at Local Harvest, where meatless menu options are the stars. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch—carefully prepared dishes made with local ingredients have kept this South City spot on the map since it opened in 2008.

Farmhaus

Cardwell’s at the Plaza

Ranoush

Mai Lee

 

Best Sushi

TANI SUSHI BISTRO

Tani Sushi Bistro not only holds its own among Clayton’s many successful restaurants, but it has earned a reputation for the best sushi in St. Louis. Why? Because its menu appeals to both sushi traditionalists who judge a sushi restaurant by the quality of its Nigiri, and more mainstream maki lovers who love the over-the-top creative rolls—the crazier the better! There is something for everyone at Tani—and the happy crowds prove it! Wasabi Sushi Bar Oishi Sushi and Steakhouse Miso Drunken Fish

 

Best Place to Blow Your Diet

TED DREWES FROZEN CUSTARD

The Dottie, the Cardinal Sin, the All Shook Up—any sweet tooth worth its salt knows those aren’t indie band names, but rather a few of Ted Drewes’ most tempting treats. So what if you fall off the dieting wagon— there is always tomorrow!

Jilly’s Cupcake Bar and Cafe

Crown Candy Kitchen

Cheesecake Factory

Bailey’s Chocolate Bar

 

Best Classic St. Louis Restaurant

TONY’S

Of all the awards proprietor Vince Bommarito has accepted on behalf of his fi ne dining restaurant over the years, it’s our guess that he’d take special pride in knowing our readers voted his beloved spot Best Classic St. Louis Restaurant. Tony’s has been the backdrop to thousands of St. Louisans’ special occasions and celebrations, which proves dining at Tony’s isn’t just a meal—it’s an event!

Charlie Gitto’s Italian Restaurant

Annie Gunn’s

Cunetto’s House of Pasta

Kemoll’s

 

Spot With Best Ambiance

VIN DE SET

Judging by how many categories Vin De Set showed up on our poll, it’s safe to say our readers love more than just the food at the Frenchinspired bistro. Diners also are smitten with the spot’s beautiful architecture and romantic rooftop, proving once again that good food is only one part of a memorable dining experience.

Araka

I Fratellini

Sidney Street Cafe

Scape

 

Best Brunch

BIXBY’S

Bixby’s in the Missouri History Museum has become more than a pit stop between exhibits. New management (Butler’s Pantry) and a beautiful space with fl oor-to-ceiling windows have made the restaurant once again a destination unto itself, especially for brunch. Grab a mimosa and enjoy a beautiful view of Forest Park—you won’t regret it.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

The Chase Park Plaza

Half & Half

Rooster

 

Most Unique Dining Experience

NICHE

Ladue News readers aren’t the first to recognize the creative cuisine at Niche. The restaurant—soon to relocate to Clayton—has been lauded near and far for its edgy but delicious offerings created by wonder chef Gerard Craft.

Farmhaus

Home Wine Kitchen

Stone Soup Cottage

Vin De Set