Terrazza Grill is built on tradition, a restaurant tradition established in 1934 by the Lombardo family. Terrazza Grill is the fifth operation for the Lombardo family and its first venture into Arnold. Located about a block west of Jeffco Boulevard on Hwy 141,Terrazza Grill is easy to spot. Its exterior is reminiscent of a neo-Tuscan-style villa built with an eye-catching stone façade. Inside the décor is contemporary with vintage St Louis photographs serving as wall art. The open dining room is sectioned by partial partitions that provide an intimate feel and a limited room view, except of …

Experiencing fine Italian cuisine doesn’t require a trek to Tuscany. Instead take a drive through Affton on Gravois Road where a few short blocks north of MacKenzie Road you’ll find Trattoria Toscana. “We’ve been here for five years,” said Alban Ziu who owns and oversees the operation with his cousin Chef Tika (Kostandin) Ceko, who served as chef at the legendary Dominic’s  on the Hill before opening Trattoria Toscana. Together Ziu and Chef Tika have created a fine dining experience best described as a casual white tablecloth operation with understated elegance. Trattoria Toscana’s main …

Looking for a dining destination that's a fast drive from northern Jefferson or south St Louis County? Consider The Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery. Located just a few miles south of Arnold in Kimmswick, the Blue Owl is renowned for mountainous pies and generous servings with a menu that offers hearty fare that can satisfy guys as well as ladies who lunch. The Blue Owl’s décor is country without the frou-frou. Wood paneling and comfortable chairs encourage one to relax, eat and enjoy.  Chalkboards in the multiple dining areas promote the day’s house specialties as Chicken ‘n Dumplings, …

Beginning July 13 Maggie’s Lunchbox is celebrating three squares a day when it opens for dinner with its After Dark menu. "We wanted to give people working and living in the area another option for dinner," said Maggie's co-owner Ben Aschinger. “To celebrate the addition we’re having a grand opening on July 13 complete with music.” Maggie’s Lunchbox originally built its reputation on breakfast and lunch along with its daily selection of house baked breads, pies and pastries. Breakfast options range from a Danish with coffee to a nice mix of eggs, pancakes, breakfast meats and biscuits. …

La Pachanga welcomes each guest with a hearty Bienvenido (that’s welcome in Spanish) and the traditional basket of chips and salsa.  “We always say welcome because we’re really glad to have you here,” said the La Pachanga server with a smile. “We even print bienvenido on our menu.” La Pachanga is tucked into the Jefferson County Plaza off Vogel Road. Its menu is extensive, containing the expected combination plates and the unexpected house expecialdades emphasizing the flavors of Jalisco, Mexico. One example is the Carnitas, a popular Jalisco recipe that slow simmers pork tips in a spicy …

Italian food specialties are easily found on the hill, “The Hill” Italian neighborhood in St. Louis, but the little hill in Oakville at Telegraph at Erb roads where you’ll find Garavaglia’s Market, whose deli sandwiches are a specialty. Garavaglia’s features Boar's Head meats and cheeses in addition to products from local sausages makers as Oldani, Piekutowski’s and G&W. Customers can custom order sandwiches or pick from 17 different combos such as the Oakville Special, a mega sub with roast beef, ham, salami, Provel, Cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion and horseradish sauce.  The Dagwood…

El Maguey Mexican Restaurant has earned a loyal following for good reason. Its been serving good food at affordable prices since it opened in Concord Plaza years ago. Over those years little has changed. The dining room décor still features Mexican folk art and paintings, which decorate the walls to the lacquered tabletops. The menu still offers its combination plates, the traditional favorite with cost conscious customers. There has been a few changes since El Maguey opened. A second dining room and bar was added a while back along and the menu has been expanded. Added to the menu are …

Chinese cuisine is closer to High Ridge than one might expect thanks to China Wok, located at the intersection of Highway 30 west and High Ridge Blvd. China Wok’s official address is 1009 Crossroads Place and is housed in an unassuming strip center facing Highway 30. Cantonese, Hunan and America-Chinese dominate the menu and includes the mandatory  must haves - General Tso’s Chicken, Egg Foo Young and Chow Mein. Yet, beyond these Chinese classics are several surpises. There are five styles of Moo Shu with Mandarin pancakes, a Chinese gourmet specialty not often found on menus.   Mei Fun is …

Bosnian cuisine is the Berix Restaurant specialty. And while Bosnian food may be unfamiliar, Berix’s menu offers a mix that can satisfy the most discriminating palate. Service begins at 9 a.m. Monday  through Saturday with a limited breakfast. Just two choices, Bosnian-style sausage and egg platter and Pura, a dish similar to polenta that’s topped with cheese and sour cream.  The morning cup of choice, Berix’ own custom roasted Turkish coffee that's served throughout the day. Other coffees brewed are espresso, cappuccino and "American coffee." Behind the front counter a backlit menu provides …

Rise and shine. There’s a new day breaking and a name change at the Arnold eatery, The Sunny Street Café, formerly known as the Rise & Dine Restaurant. Sunny Street Café hasn’t changed much except for the name and the expanding hours. No longer a breakfast and lunch haunt, Sunny Street Café will now stay open for dinner.  As for the menu, it’s remains unchanged. That’s good news for customers who have enjoyed the restaurant’s dependable breakfast line-up and lunch standards that are now available for dinner, which includes the entire breakfast menu. Breakfast in either the AM or PM dishes up …

As the saying goes, “what’s old is new again” can best describe River City Casino’s concept for its 1904 Steak House. Housed within the old space occupied by the late Jeff Ruby’s, the 1904 Steak House reflects the elegance of St. Louis’ turn of the century glory of Gilded Age opulence. It was a time when fine dining was defined by its menu, which always featured fine steaks and seafood. Following this age-old tradition, the 1904’s Steak House’s dining room is plush - appointed with rich, wood paneling, crystal chandlers and a wine room nestled in its core where more than 300 bottles are …

Spaghetti, sandwiches and salad are the foundation to the simple menu that’s made P’sghetti’s Pasta and Sandwiches a South County landmark eatery. “It works (the menu) and people like us because we’re family friendly and you get a lot for you money,” said P’sghetti’s owner Colleen Brannan who, with husband Bill, opened the operation in 1987. Topping P’sghetti’s cost-plus menu is a collection of hot and cold sandwiches, all built to order on its signature homemade sweet bread. Loyal customers recommend the Super Sub, a house specialty that layers beef, ham, salami, American and Provel cheese …

Super, according to Webster’s Dictionary is something with outstanding or excellent qualities or is exceptionally large or powerful.  Super China Buffet is just that, offering one of the largest Chinese buffets in the area. Super China Buffet is located along Michigan Avenue off of Jeffco Boulevard, in Arnold, and behind Walmart Water Tower Plaza. Its plain brick façade doesn’t prepare one for its ornate interior, which is accented with carved wooden booths, Chinese lanterns and wall murals. The dining room’s design focus is the buffet. Filled with more 80 items, four long tables comprise the…

Ask Mi Lupita’s servers about their claim to serving authentic Mexican food and they’ll say," ... it doesn’t get any more authentic then here – Mama’s still cooking in the kitchen."  And mama cooks everything from scratch - from salsa to sauce to homemade tamales from family recipes brought from Mexico’s Zacateca region.   Mi Lupita is tucked along the south edge of Fenton’s Old Main Street in an unassuming building that could easily overlooked. But don’t.  You wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to sample its extensive menu featuring such authentic Mexican dishes as the Bistek Zacatecano, …

No need to travel to The Hill to satisfy cravings for Italian food; instead head south to Oakville where Bill Gianino’s been serving up traditional Italian cuisine since 1975. Bill Gianino’s, located in Chestnut Park Plaza at the intersection of Telegraph and Yaeger roads has earned a reputation for providing quality Italian specialties, pastas and St. Louis-style pizzas served in friendly surroundings. The décor is understated and inviting for either family or special occasion dining. And attentive servers are knowledgeable and readily explain daily specials and menu options. Those options …

Burgers, fries and shakes never go out of style, especially at the Cafe Manhattan whose 1950’s theme provides dinner with a side of nostalgia. Decorated with chrome, glass block walls, neon and Formica topped tables Cafe Manhattan’s dining room is a retro refit for what once was an A&W Root Beer stand.  Root beer is still on the menu along with an assortment of classic diner fare. Topping the menu, the half-pound burgers that are cooked and dressed to order. Carnivore burger picks are the Uptown Burger, topped with bacon and melted sharp cheddar cheese, and the traditional Patty Melt. Beyond …

Fish aficionados wait patiently all year for Lent, the unofficial beginning of the “fish fry season.” From now until April 22 (Good Friday), community fish fry suppers are a best bet for affordable, hearty dining. One of the oldest running in the area is found at St Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville. Here tradition rules the menu and the cooks still hand bread their famous jack salmon.  “We’re the only ones I know that still hand bread their jacks,” said Lil Vitale, whose been a parishioner and fry fish volunteer for 50 of her 90 years. “ You got to love’em (jack salmon) because we make …

When Joseph and Dana Gisi opened Jilly’s Café & Steakhouse they created a unique operation that combined two restaurant styles under one roof - high-end family dining and a casual roadhouse bar. “You can order anything on the menu in either the main dining room or the bar,” said Dana Gisi who noted the bar features its own specials such as $5 pizzas on Sundays.  The bar has a collection of tables and bar stools along with a pool table. The main dining offers wood paneled booths and neatly set tables that are nicely suited for family dining or a cozy dinner for two.  Servers arrive promptly …

Thai food fans rejoice. Thai cuisine has come to 63129 with the opening of Drunken Noodles Taste of Thai, a welcome addition to the Oakville/Mehlville culinary landscape. Drunken Noodles is tucked in the strip center located at the southeast corner of Lemay Ferry and Baumgartner Roads and offers dine-in table service or walk-up counter take-out. When asked what’s behind the Drunken Noodle name Manager Viston Khammanivong explained that the noodles, along with everything else on the menu, is drunk with flavor. “It’s how we make our food – with so much flavor that it's intoxicating” Over 116 …

The Tilted Kilt proudly boosts “A cold beer never looked so good.” The slogan based on the concept created by Tilted Kilt founder Mark DiMartino who developed the Celtic themed sports pub featuring servers dressed in tiny kilts and tartan bras. Tilted Kilt’s Arnold location (Missouri’s only location) is designed as an Americanized version of an Scot-Irish pub, brightly painted, with table and booth seating complete with an oversize bar to accommodate its daily double happy hour; 3-6 p.m. with the second running from10 p.m. to close.  The menu is also given a Celtic slant by incorporating a …