Winslow's Home
How this didn't make the Food Finds 2008 list, I don't know. I blame the editor of this enterprise. Ever willing to make things right, I am placing this little gem on the 2009 list. One part general store, one part boutique and one part restaurant makes this place 3 parts cool. The kitchen is headed up by Chef Cary McDowell and specializes in local, organic food mostly brought in from the store's farm. The food is cooked-to-order with love so plan accordingly (meaning: it isn't fast food or a diner, so go in when you can enjoy the store and company of others while your food is prepared.)
La Vallesana
A little taste of Mexico sits on a corner of Cherokee Street in south St. Louis. The menu features a selection of soft tacos (on corn tortillas, claro que si) or tortas sandwiches. I have also heard the paletas (popsicles) are awesome, but I haven't had them personally (wistfully: someday). Definitely a must-do on a beautiful day as the patio is large and what is better on a nice day than some tacos, awesome guacamole and a Mexican Coca-cola?
Monarch
I couldn't remember if this was a find for 2009 or 2008 (this year in review stuff is tricky business)...luckily I have a raving review from early 2009 to help trigger my memory. I think the review sums up that the service was fantastic, food was phenomenal and the ambiance was great. Really, we haven't been to this restaurant as much as it deserves - maybe that will be corrected in 2010.
Katie's Pizzeria
This place taught me a very valuable lesson: don't judge an eatery by it's facade or name. The pizzeria sits in a very unassuming location next to a now defunct antiques shop and an apartment building set back on a busy street. I had seen this place for a while, but never gave it a second thought until it came highly recommended by a fellow foodie (tsk, tsk on me for judging so hastily). Once inside the door the decor is quite warm - a menagerie of fantastic antique and vintage finds mashed together with panache - like that friend who always gets the best stuff at the thrift store and pulls off a drool worthy room for pennies (damn her!) But the food is also quite nice - I highly recommend starting with the toasted ravioli, ordering up a pizza and finishing off with the ricotta donuts. The pizza, by the by, is a thin crust, no sauce and unique toppings like fontina and apple or persimmon, prosciutto and goat cheese.
Extra credit: St. Louis Post-Dispatch food critic, Joe Bonwich, put out a list of favorite new restaurants of 2009. We haven't been to a single one on the list - so looks like our work is cut out for us in 2010. Callooh! Callay!
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When did you go to La Vallesana?? I've only been once, and it was gooood. Mmmm.
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