It’s another beautiful weekend in St. Louis – and a long one, thanks to the holiday – which means you have an extra day to get out and enjoy spectacular food and drink. With a restaurant scene as diverse our city’s, there’s no excuse to not try something new or return to an old favorite. Check out our best bites for this weekend below.
Katie’s Pizza & Pasta Osteria at Ballpark Village
Aragosta al Fumetto Bianco, or Lobster Thermidor, with creamy Contratto vermouth bianco sauce and salmon caviar, dill and tarragon oil.
The Cardinals are away this weekend for a series in Ohio, so BPV will be less crowded than usual, making it the perfect time to visit the newly opened Katie’s Pizza & Pasta. Your visit to the restaurant can take any form: Grab an afternoon cocktail, come in the morning for brunch or sit down with families and friends for a full meal. Several entrées here are exclusive to this Katie’s location: Don’t miss the chicken Parmesan or the Lobster Thermidor.
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751 Clark Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, katiespizzaandpasta.com
While Chicken Scratch makes a mean rotisserie bird, its die-hard fans know to come when its limited-time wings are on the menu. This weekend, the Glendale and Foundry location will offer three wing specials. Its unicorn wings are semi-hot and tossed in scratch buttermilk ranch sauce and hot sauce. It’s also offering dry rub and barbecue versions. Order all three varieties to find out which is your favorite, and get them before they disappear again.
multiple locations, chxscratchstl.com
Grand Sammies & Sides and New Society
Grand Spirits Bottle Co. is home to two concepts that make it easy to enjoy a dinner and a drink. Grand Sammies & Sides, the in-house sandwich shop, serves up fully loaded subs. The meatball sandwich, piled high with scratchmade tomato sauce, bubbly cheese and rich meatballs, is a refined take on a classic. Just downstairs you’ll find New Society, an experimental cocktail lab from Michael Fricker and Meredith Barry. Let these two expert mixologists guide you, and you’re sure to be treated to an inventive, slightly unexpected cocktail.
3194 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri, grandspiritsco.com
After several months on hiatus, beloved local watering hole Fortune Teller Bar is back. If you dig witchy, spooky vibes, this is your spot. Grab a friend or a date and visit for scratchmade craft cocktails. For a fresh, summery drink, try the Benton Park Blackberry, with gin, blackberry liqueur, taro syrup and lemon. And take note that there’s plenty of tasty NA options too.
2635 Cherokee St., Benton Park, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-776-2337, fortunetellerstl.com
The Chitarra al Pomodoro at Pastaria.
Gerard Craft recently announced the return of Porano, his Italian fast-casual concept. While you wait for Porano to reopen, head to Pastaria to get a taste of Craft’s pasta in the meantime. A true standout is the pistachio ravioli: delicate dumplings of creamy pistachio topped with a sauce of lemon, brown butter, mint and Grana Padano sauce. The crispy risotto balls (arancini) take risotto to new heights, transforming it into a crispy, cheesy gooey bite. Be warned: One order of them is never enough.
7734 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, Missouri, 314-862-6603, eatpastaria.com
Arzola’s Fajitas + Margaritas
If you’re looking for a casual, friendly spot to grab dinner, head to Arzola’s Fajitas + Margaritas in Benton Park. The Margaritas live up to their inclusion in the restaurant’s name, made with fresh juice and premium tequila. For those who like it spicy, order the Senor Serrano: tequila steeped with serrano chiles, triple orange brandy, fresh citrus and a Tajín rim. The fajitas – made from a family recipe that marinates the meat for at least 72 hours – are available in steak, chicken, veggie and shrimp.
2730 McNair Ave., Benton Park, St. Louis, Missouri, 314-226-9672, eatarzolas.com
Sometimes restaurants give you a reason to revisit an old favorite, and Robust Bistro & Wine Bar has done so with its new summer menu. For a refreshing light bite on a hot day, try its new shrimp aguachile – a raw dish with citrus and vegetables. Other recent menu additions include a seared ahi tuna bowl, torchon of lobster and a Parisian gnocchi that will make you want to order seconds. To allow guests to sample multiple wines, Robust offers wine flights – a curated selection of three 3-ounce pours.
227 W. Lockwood Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri, robustwinebar.com
