Two of our favorite things in the restaurant world are fine cuts of meat and a comfortable, low-key atmosphere to enjoy them in. Citizen Kane's Steak House has plenty of both, as we were reminded on our most recent visit.

The best way to eat heirloom tomatoes is simply to slice and serve them with a little oil and salt. The presentation below does just that. You also can dress them up with a few tapenades.

Whether you’re simply throwing down a blanket in the backyard and enjoying a meal al fresco or tasting exotic fare abroad, food poisoning can turn a good time bad in a hurry. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year, approximately one in six Americans (about 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of food-borne diseases.

St. Louis restaurants were well represented on the Opinionated About Dining's Top 25 Midwest Restaurants list that was recently released. Niche took the No. 2 slot; Sidney Street Cafe was No. 8; Stone Soup Cottage was No. 11; Brasserie by Niche came in at No. 12; Farmhaus garnered No. 13; and Tony's landed at No. 20; and Harvest rounded out the list at 22. Well done!

THROUGH 6/16 TWELFTH NIGHT Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents its 13th annual play, Twelfth Night—an intimate, romantic performance set to live music—at Forest Park. Free. 8 p.m. nightly, except Tuesdays. 531-9800 or sfstl.com.

Most people long for another island. One where they know they will like to be, so says Bloody Mary in South Pacific’s evocative and lyrical Bali Hai.

St. Louis' food culture will be recognized on the national stage this summer, thanks to Cochon 555, a premier culinary event that will bring together some of the area's very best chefs to see just what they can create with the pig.

Big congrats go out to MATT SEITER, bar manager at Sanctuaria Wild Tapas in The Grove. His book, The Dive Bar of Cocktail Bars, is one of 10 semi-finalists for Best New Book at the Spirited Awards at the 2013 Tales of The Cocktail, which will be held in July in New Orleans. The list of finalists for the category will be released next month. Good luck!

EarthDance has breathed new life into Missouri’s oldest organic farm. The nonprofit is sustainably growing food, farmers and community one person at a time, through hands-on education and experience at the former Mueller Farm.

“Pink? I don’t drink pink.” Sound familiar?

Chef EDWARD FARROW has been tapped to oversee the kitchen at the soon-to-open Panorama Restaurant in the Saint Louis Art Museum's new East Building, set to debut this summer. Farrow is a CIA grad and a member of Slow Food and is known for his dedication to local purveyors. Most recently, he served as executive chef at the cafe of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Az.

The Colonial Marketplace in Ladue is almost complete. With only a small handful of vacancies left and stores opening left and right, this shopping strip is becoming a destination—in fact, so much so we thought you might like a guide book.

Extremely rare pieces from one of the largest private collections of Alexander McQueen’s work are among those to be showcased in an upcoming exhibition at the World Chess Hall of Fame. 

This summer, think of your backyard as the next decorating frontier. Use designer-quality furniture, rugs, lighting and charming decorative accents for stunning results.

Love to report new places opening up: The Sweet Divine's new Soulard location at 1801 S. Ninth St. is now open for business. Likewise, Piccione Pastry at 6197 Delmar Blvd. in the U-City Loop is now up and running.

MAY

Now that spring is finally here, it's time to get out and nosh on what's new for the season. Here's a short list of seasonal dishes currently being offered by some of the area's best eateries, along with recommendations for the best wines to accompany them.

When we first heard about chef/owner Ben Poremba's innovative vision of turning an old South City house into a fine-dining restaurant (Elaia), and the retired service station next door to it into a wine bar (Olio), we were a bit unsure of just how it would work out. Since the dual concepts have been up and running for a while now, we finally stopped in for dinner at Elaia and are pleased to report the project is quite the success.

Known by some as the St. Louis spring event, Friends of St. Louis Children’s Hospital recently held its 10th annual Table Tops event at The Ritz-Carlton. 

I have always advised clients to find a home they love, and the owners of this Ladue home state it most succinctly when asked why they chose to move here 20 years ago. “It had great curb appeal and a stately appearance—like a lovely woman who has aged gracefully, showing the wealth of her experience yet still radiating grace and beauty.”

Men have it pretty easy when it comes to wedding attire: If the invitation says black tie, a tuxedo is in order, whether you own one or not. If you’re in the latter category, you must rent one. But don’t let the young guys at the tux shop rent you anything but the most traditional of tuxedos. In addition, instead of patent leather shoes that look like plastic, I recommend you wear a highly shined pair of black, lace-up dress shoes.