The Best Patios in St. Louis: Part 2

of ST Louis, period. But that's not breaking news, you know? Ok, I had this dish. It's wonderful. Everyone knows it's wonderful. The thing that really struck me about my dinner, there was the appetizer of pancetta meatballs. They were absolutely fantastic. What he does is he takes beef and he infuses them with pancetta. So when they cook up, you get that sweetness of the pork in there and just a little bit extra fat. That really just kind of makes the outside this like

glistening crispy exterior. So he's rendered the pancetta before. You know. That's a good question. I'm going to have to double check on that. Probably just cooked it all too. That's what I'm thinking. That's what the texture. How big are these bad boys? They're Mandarin orange, bigger than a golf ball. Mandarin orange size. It just worked so beautifully. We were blown away. I ate so many of them that I ended up taking three quarters of my eggplant parm home. So, you know, if something,

which isn't a bad thing, it reheats very well. But you know, if something can go toe to toe with the most perfect dish, it's a good one. So can't stop thinking highly recommended O and O pizza, which might as well be called O and O pizza pasta and other good stuff because it's all that and more. Uh, again, Mikey Risk is the chef there. And one little known fact about Mike Risk, he also owns the Mac down on Macklin. Did you

know that? So, not too many people know that, I don't know, he spends a lot of time down there, but he's a pretty well versed guy, just a great guy. And I truly believe that O and O is one of the best Italian restaurants. No question, no question. And one that people don't think about that often. And exactly. So here we go again with what I can't stop thinking about. And once again, I've surprised my co-host and placed something in front of her. She's looking at it. Not quite sure what it is.

That is a tamale wrapped in a banana leaf that comes from sore. This is there, say no more steamed by me this morning. A little early morning steaming. Anyway, this is the tamal Colado. This is Alex Henry's tamale from Sos at City Foundry again, Alex was raised in the Yucatan. This is a Yucatec tamale. And what's different about it is the preparation of the masa. As you can see, it's not kind, it's not that grainy, not at all, not like corn meal or like a

corn muffin. A lotto means strained and that's exactly what he does to the masa to get it very fine and very delicate and it's just something that's, that's different and they cook that masa with lard before he wraps it. But anyway, cut into it and you'll see that it's stuffed with cochinita pibil, which I know is one of your favorite things. I just threw my fork down. That's

what people don't see it. It really is. I have to tell you it's one of my favorite things and he does it better than anyone in town and he should. I mean, that's the, the, the national dish of the Yucatan. He was raised in the Yucatan. And if anybody should do it. Well, he does so that the salsa that goes on it is what he calls salsa frita, which just means fried or cooked. So that is the sauce that goes on it. And there is a rocket fuel hot sauce next to it that you

see there. Cheryl that looks like danger. But anyway, that is just an outstanding dish and it's available at Sores. It's about 15 bucks. It's easily a meal uh in itself again, it takes about an hour and a half to steam that the, the preparation time for, you know, tamales in general is a long time. They take days to prepare. That's why you only see them a lot of the time at, at the holidays in, in Mexican homes, you know, the, the grandmothers get together

and make tamales. But anyway, at, at crete, they're making them every day. And I should also mention at their other restaurant, they being Alex and his brother Jeff Henry, who they own El Molino Del Cree, which is an outstanding restaurant in its own, right? A little bit newer, they serve a little bit different tamale there, but they

do have the tamale there. So anyway, I guess my point with all this is if you want to get away from Tex Mex and you want some real Yucatec and cuisine, go to Creste or El Molino del Creste. So what's the verdict on that? Tamale? First of all, you know, when you look at this. It's almost like as smooth as like a flan or something.

It's just almost creamy, creamy looking and really creamy tasting because what that process does is hydrates that corn so that it gets creamier and loses some of that graininess. But what's so interesting is you look at it and you don't realize maybe it's just the color. I, I don't know, but you don't realize how much of a flavor it's going to pack. It has this just nutty roasted flavor to it. It's like this perfect distillation of like cooked corn. It's so wonderful and it's, and it's huge.

We should mention this thing is pillow shaped and giant. It's not one of these cylindrical guides that you can knock about three of them down before you get full. This is, this is limit one for sure. And I just think it's just a really unusual dish. He puts some onion and some tomato and some ezo in there, which is AAA Mexican herb that is very common but not real common in this country.

It's kind of a very complex flavor to it. You taste that there's a lot going on in that tamale besides the, the masa, she, she's knocked down half of that thing while we speak. So that is what I can't stop thinking about this week. And now you too. It's so wonderful. And I have to tell you, you are not lying about that hot sauce. I had to go off mic for a second because it did take my breath away for a minute in a good way. Like some dynamite underneath. It's fiery but

it's so bright. It's so piquant. It's complex. And I think that is the key to a great hot sauce. It's not that you can't handle heat. I find that a lot of hot sauces can just be so blunt. It's just heat for the sake of heat without flavor. You know, just as if people are trying to prove something and it, it just kills your taste buds and then you're done and you might as well just stop what you're doing because your taste buds are done. So this is different.

It's so multi-layered and because of like that canvas of that masa on there, it's just perfect with it. And so while Cheryl finishes up the last of that tamales, we're gonna try to get into part two of, of this whole patio thing again, reviewing these are the hidden gems with patios, uh a handful of honorable mentions and quick hits. I mean, we could have done a whole series on this. Right, Cheryl. I mean, and we, we condensed it to two episodes and, and we thought, you

know what, each one could have its own episode. Absolutely. I mean, this was one of those projects where you get into it and you don't realize how many there are and the thing is so many of them are wonderful. I mean, that's why you can't. We had 100 and 70 that's why we had 100 and 75. I mean, we all know

the obvious ones that we talked about last week. But these hidden ones, these ones that you just don't think of, you know, we are so lucky to have so many wonderful places to eat outside and tis the season for sure. I'll start off with Pop, which is uh, Dave and Kara Bailey's restaurant in Lafayette Square. It's the former Bailey's chocolate bar. You walk outside to that porch area and under the eaves of the porch are a bunch of tables where you can dine. It was the same with the chocolate bar.

It was, it's this rustic romantic area that is just very, very special and that hasn't changed with the new iteration with pop, which by the way is a champagne bar. So, I mean, you can eat downstairs and then go up to Bailey's chocolate bar and have a chocolate martini for dessert. Bailey's chocolate bar is still there. It's just upstairs. So it's the embodiment of all that's charming about Lafayette Square.

It is. And you sit there and you're looking around and you look across the brick wall and there's more people on another patio across the way and it's like what the heck's going over there? That's 33 wine bar and just a little tip about that place. They just started food service. There a more, a more expanded food service which is long overdue. So there's a couple of places right in a row there and just don't forget about them. You know, they're both hidden gems.

Uh Another one I, I love this place. It's called Oliva Cafe. It's part of Oliva on the hill, which is a, a venue that's operated by catering Saint Louis and they serve lunch at Oliva on the hill. I forget what it is. I think Tuesday through Saturday maybe. But my favorite part of that patio is on Wednesday afternoon. They call it wind down Wednesday. Everybody I've ever taken to this said, why haven't you told me about this place sooner? I, I am. It's a

weekly party. It's always a good time. This patio and courtyard kind of sprawls and winds around and you know, if the weather gets lousy, they move it indoors, have lunch there, but don't forget about wind down Wednesdays. And another place that's been around for 32 years is Big Sky Cafe. It overlooks the train tracks and there's nothing more charming than when those freight trains come by. You think you're out in the Washington, Missouri or somewhere

way out. It's one of those places that ticks the box for great food and not that expensive. And I can name those places on about five fingers in this town and Big Sky Cafe is one of them. It's an institution, but it still feels relevant it's just a great place. Those entrees are priced in the twenties, which is unusual and they've got half portions as well. They do a Saturday brunch, not a Sunday brunch. They just do things a little bit differently there and it's just an awesome

place and patios. Not big. And it's kind of at the end of a, you know, you're, it's like where the heck are we going? We're gonna go across these railroad tracks. No, you stop at Big Sky. So that's one that, that's 32 years old and going strong. Yeah. Well, one that, I guess it used to be an institution in its old location and now it's moved. So this to me is one of the most unexpected patios, I don't know in town, period. And this is Ricardo's on Broadway. So

Ricardo's was a long time, Lafayette Square. Just kind of that, like that casual midpoint Italian restaurant there, I think red checked tablecloth, Chianti bottles on tables. Just really that, that classic feel. And they closed in 2015. But then they reopened just last July. I think it was, it was definitely last summer in. You would never believe it. North riverfront. I mean, we're talking, if you're on your way to the city tow yard, maybe you'll stop and

get some spini at Ricardo's. It looks like where there was an interesting choice of where to put that. It's the old shady Jacks, if you know, for reference point. That biker bar. Yeah, there forever. But the thing that's so funny, they have this interior courtyard. And I'm telling you when I walked in there, I thought that this is like New York City. I feel like I'm in Little Italy. It's in between these multi story brick buildings. You have the

black painted wrought iron fire escapes. And what they've done is they've strung twinkle lights, you know, over those, those like really beautiful lights, they have tables in there. You think? Where am I? You are at? Ricardo's, I promise you, it is an unexpected and worthwhile experience. They were known for their quality Italian cuisine at a very reasonable price. They're also known for a really good wine list. And I think both of those have made the switch up

to this new location. Ricardo's on Broadway, all the same family, everyone's still involved, you know. So if you're missing your Ricardo's in Lafayette Square, sit on their patio on Broadway. Now, my other one, I'm going over to Saint Charles with and that is Shay's Creole smokehouse at the old mill stream. Now,

I know that's a long long name. But, um, the old mill stream is this classic bar that's been there forever in, you know, right off main street in ST Charles and a gentleman named Shay is actually doing the food out of their kitchen there for them. Now, so, first of all, it's some of the best barbecue you'll get in the region. His, his food's outstanding, has a little bit of a creole influence to some of it. So that's just great. Anyway,

but their patio is gorgeous. It is exactly what you'd think for main street, Saint Charles, cobblestone floor babbling Brook going through there, it's below grade. So it feels hidden, completely covered in trees that fits the category, hidden from sight and relatively unknown. And there's actually one of those old sawmills that you know, is like it's an old mill. Yes, it really is. So this, this is the place where you go, you get some brisket and you just sit on this patio and watch

the day go by wonderful and watch the water go by. Exactly. We'll be right back.

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And you know, when I think of the Royal, not only do I think about fire pits and Pergolas and quirky decor, but I also think they have that subcontinental cocktail there, which is the gin and the lime and the cucumber juice. You want to talk about the drink to have sitting outside in the summer. That's the one my other quick hit. Speaking of drinking outside. Oh, you have something about the Royal. The Royal. I was just there the other day actually, idly enough and I was just, again,

it's starting to come into bloom. You've got those vines that, that go over the Pergola over the fire pit area. But what I guess I've never noticed that much is those vines continue across his fence across the sidewalk. He's got a little like Pergola built across the public sidewalk and he's got grape vines out there. He's growing trees, he's growing herbs and it's all just, you know, he's got stories to tell about all this stuff.

Everything about that place is cool and the inside, you've got the, there's that big hedge and you've got that brick wall with that from mural and they've got those two ealier trees there that are spread out on the brick wall for such a kind of a funky place. A lot of thought went into it. It's a great place. Another place that I love it. I mean, you talk about this oasis in the middle of the city is the gin room and salve of Syria right there on South Grand. They have this side

patio there that here we are with the grapevines. Again, it's covered in grape vines. It's hidden from the street landscaped, gorgeous and they have this covered outdoor bar. You want to talk about the best seat in that entire restaurant. You sit at that outdoor, I think they call it the garden bar. Um, you sit there and it's, it's magical. You know, you're sipping on some house made tonics, the best Gin collection you'll probably ever witness in your life

and it's real close quarters out there. You'll learn something about drinks. You'll definitely have some drinks, but you'll learn something about it. That's a lot of fun. Um, my couple other quick hits, you can't mention patios without Broadway Oyster bar. That is, you know, great food. The music is why you go there. I mean, it's, you talk about these places where you just have a party. I mean, it's a party that bring people from town because it's, it's always a party. Absolutely Golden Hoosier.

It's got the campground theme. I mean, you feel like you're at a state park concession stand when you're there, which is super fun. It's great picnic tables and those shelters out in back. It does, it feels like you're in a state park. It really does. Do you have a couple? I have a couple more but I feel like I'll let you interject here. I'm swing way out into town and country at the corner of Clayton and Mason Road. Like where Strobs is. There's,

there's a development there. A strip center that's all clad in rustic wood. It looks like it's been there forever, but it's brand new. It's called Blacksmith Grove. And in Blacksmith Grove is Clever and cocktail restaurant. And right next door to it, a place called Wild Crush Wine Barn. And these, again, it's the whole thing's nondescriptive. There's not much signage there. It's like, what is this place? And you walk in and of course, the spaces are nice. But boy, you

walk out onto that patio and it takes your breath away. You're, again, you're above it. It overlooks seven acres. There's a lake, there's a park, there's a walking path, there's a fountain, there's a, the theater, there's a waterfall and you're listening to all the animals go and you swear you're in Augusta 45 and you're the, you're right in the middle of the town and country and again, the clever and cocktail, the dry aged meats. They're doing a great job out there.

And the wine bar next door is really cool because it's self tapping self serve wine situation there. Go to both of them. It doesn't matter what order you do it in. But they both have these outside patios that join one another and it's spectacular. Another place I like, uh, back in Webster is Frisco. They've got maybe again one of the best designed patios in town. It's just beautiful out in the back, especially because you kind of walk through and it just

kind of pops open right in front of you. But upstairs that whole second floor is kind of hidden a little bit. There's a house bakery up there. There's kind of a, it looks like dad's den area up there and then there's a private room up there that holds 20 people. But they've also got tables outside, you can overlook Webster and have dinner at the same time. And again, a lot of people have eaten there a lot of times and don't know that that patio, that upstairs patio exists. Yeah,

that's a great spot. I love Taco Buddha in University City, I think, I mean, a bumper sticker. Yeah. Right. Exactly. It probably is. I think they probably do have that, you know, when they first opened they were just some shotgun, like four table restaurant and they just, I mean, they took, they took over the entire corner, it's covered. It's beautiful. The margaritas are fantastic.

That's a place that you must go to. I think they have one of the best outdoor seating areas and they have one of the warmest outdoor, those heaters work, crank it out. I mean, in the dead of winter that place is comfy, cozy. Yeah, they really, they do a great job out there. I've just got a couple more. I promise you, you know, you can't mention patios without the central west end. So I'm putting Bar Talia and Brasserie both in there as my honorable central west end. You want a cosmopolis

and dining experience? That's where you go Italian ones for. Exactly. I'm going to go way out West County to Bishop's Posts which you want to talk about water features and the, oh my gosh, I mean, it's like you might as well go swimming. It is. It's a two story waterfall there. Gosh, if memory serves me correctly and they've got, it used to be wide open and a couple, two or three years ago they put a big structure in there. So a lot of the tables are covered and a lot of them are still not. So,

yeah, it's breathtaking. Absolutely. And then last, but not least on my list, my fluorescent roots have to come out. I have to give a shout out to Hendel's. It was opened in a historic general store. It's kind of the fluorescent gathering place. They have a gorgeous back patio outside of this historic building. It's just a great place. I used to sneak over there when I went to grade school next door and get penny candy during recess. So

it's a special place in my heart. A place that I sneak over to because it's near my house in Clayton. And it's the last one I think on my list here is Tony's and that Tony's patio, they spent a lot of money out there. They did a really good job. That roof they have is louvered. So it's open to the elements or closed if it starts to rain, which is super cool. There's a water element that goes the whole length of the patio. It completely deadens. The sound

of Hanley Road. You're about 10 ft from Hanley Road and you have no idea because of the placement and the placement of this waterfall. It's got everything. It's just, there's a bar out there, there's TV. S even the floor is heated. You wouldn't expect anything else from them. A surprise to you, Cheryl. I have a few more quick hits here and I swear I'll be brief. Did you know that eclipse at the top of the moonrise hotel is the only place in town you can see

an unobstructed summer sunset with no buildings, just trees. Oh, wow. I did not know that as far as that's what my research has told you. Very nice. Did you know that Dominic's on the Hill has a handful of tables outside that face Herford Street, the side street that I didn't know I haven't been there, but every time I drive by, I want to do it and speaking of fine Italian dining on the hill, Charlie Jets was gonna cover that patio. I think I talked to

you about that. They decided not to because a popular demand or just people like me, please don't do that. Charlie and they decided to leave it open to the air another place. I don't know that anybody knows about this and I guess they will because it's right between Visa and Taqueria Marita, the new Taqueria Marita. It's the Wxyz bar in the Aloft Hotel. I had not heard of that, which is a Marriott property and this is a second floor rooftop bar. You know, it's in the cortex district

there faces south. It's got a great orientation again before event, before a play before the ball game. It, it opens it or there's cocktails, there's bar food. It's one of those places that if every place in town is packed, check that out because a lot of people don't know about. I had no idea. And this is what we do for a living. This is what we do. And I guess the last place and I just thought about this place to have a cow, cattle company. That place is

something we forgot about that. Yes, we did. It's a breakfast and lunch spot, the gate district on Lafayette. Their patio is a flagstone patio behind a split rail fence. It looks like you're out on the farm. So all I can say is just go there and thank us later. It's a really cool experience. The food's good. The vibe's good and it's like, you know, there's a tractor out in front. It's like, what the heck is this place? So that's have a cow cattle company. And George, we forgot one, we forgot.

Bowed by nie. I mean, how can you tell Patty is? It's so obvious. You almost forget it. Right. Well, it broke my heart when they closed for dinner and I just hope that they can bring that around. And that's, that's kind of why I left it off the list just because of that. I guess I'm still like, yeah, but still one of our favorite places for sure to buy plants and everything else. And I guess

there's one more. The Seven Gables Inn in Clayton, that courtyard patio is just spectacular and it's surrounded on all sides by the hotel. There's no wind, there's no issues there, but it's been closed for, for a while. It used to be the, the restaurant was called seven and Seven has closed. The courtyard is still closed, but I'm told that they're both gonna open in May 24 after a re branding and a name change. Look forward to that in Clayton. Yes. Uh Well, clearly we have a lot to talk about

with these. There's just so many. Again, we, we did compile this list. I'm sure we didn't mention everybody's favorites, but I bet they're on our list of 100 and 75 which can be found at Sto mag.com. So check that out. We'll be right back.

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you driven up to this beautiful restaurant? And you, you see this bare bones patio, no greenery, no life, no action and and nobody there really with, with cheap looking tables and chairs and it looks like my patio at home, but it's not what you want when you're trying to attract people. You know, you want some curb appeal. I mean, nothing, nothing attracts diners into a restaurant in the spring and summer and fall like a welcoming patio. So I just don't understand why restaurants don't spend a

few bucks to make a few bucks. This is rent free space for them. Why don't they maximize it? And I agree with you, but it really is a, a missed opportunity, as you said, because it's not that difficult to throw a couple potted plants and some nice lighting. Some, some of those cool plastic wicker chairs, planter boxes that I've seen. I, you know, I saw some, I think it was at Katie's. It

was really well done. She has these real long tables like picnic tables and there's planter boxes on the tables that they can shift up or down to kind of accommodate a deuce or a for top. They just move the planter boxes to accommodate the different parties. Something as simple as that is all you need. You know, maybe some soft seating that is the perfect eye magnet from the curb. You can do little bud vases on the tables.

All these simple things. What I really like now are those little led lamps that are about a foot tall that you see on all these patios. And it's just, you know, they like three level led. They're just so darn charming and add tremendously to the appeal and you just drive by and go wait, let's stop and eat there. They do. I mean, the whole point of a patio is to give you this transport of feeling and even something like a little bit of soft lighting and a bud vase. I mean, that's, that's enough.

Sometimes so many simple things, inexpensive things. That's all you need to do. So, please do them restaurant owners. So that is it for this week, best dishes and see you next time. Be sure to follow us and share with your friends. And we always provide links in the show notes for everything you heard about today. And don't forget to hit that subscribe button and follow along on Instagram at Saint Louis Mag and feel free to give us a follow personally at George Mahe and

Cheryl Hebert. If you loved what you heard, show us some love by rating and reviewing us on Apple podcasts. And if you're hungry for even more content, you can subscribe to our dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. That's it for this week, best dishes and see you next time.