Dinner and a Show - Muny Style

As The Muny kicked off its 95th season thousands of its patrons indulged themselves in an age-old Muny tradition – dinner before the show. Pre-show dinners ranging from picnics in the park and elaborate pre-show buffets at the Culver Pavilion to gourmet gourmet dinners featured at nearby restaurants. All three offer diverse dinning experiences that can make a night at the Muny more memorable.

The star culinary attraction at the Muny is the Culver Pavilion. Once exclusively used as a rehearsal venue, Culver Pavilion is now home to Muny Culinary Productions, which provides the ultimate on-site Muny al fresco dining experience.  Overseeing Culver Pavilion kitchen is a select team of American Culinary Federation Chefs who have customized buffets for each production. Each buffet offers guests a selection of entrées, sides, salads and desserts along with a few kid friendly menu options to satisfied younger Muny goers. Culver Pavilion offers three seatings beginning at 6:30. Dinner tickets are pieced at $21.95 for adults, $10.50 for children under ten.

Another time-honored pre-show tradition is to pack your own picnic. But if there’s no time to back a basket consider picking up a box supper or hot dog from Café One, another Muny foodservice option.  Just remember that pre-show picnicking is popular.  Plan to arrive early if you want a table in the May Plaza picnic area located near the Muny’s east entrance, next to the Culver Pavilion, which is where you can catch pre-show entertainment. But fear not if the tables are full. Just spread a blanket or set your table anywhere on the surrounding Muny grounds. My favorite spot is the Muny’s front lawn next to the iconic Nathan Frank Bandstand and lake. 

Speaking of iconic places, Cheshire Inn was renown for pre-show Muny dining. Some of my fondness Muny memories were dining at the Cheshire and riding the double-decker bus to and from the show. It was a treat we looked forward to all year. When the old Cheshire Inn closed countless Muny fans were broken hearted.

Thankfully, the Cheshire/Muny tradition has been revived at the new Restaurant at the Cheshire.  Cheshire’s Executive Chef Rex Hale, a native St Louisan can be credited with its comeback.

“The experience is back,” said Chef Hale who has enjoyed hearing his guests memories about their Cheshire /Muny experiences. “ I really believe the relationship between the Cheshire and the Muny is phenomenal. I’m excited. With my own knowledge of what the dining experience was like then and what it will be like now I know it’s going to be incredible.”

The Restaurant at Cheshire offers a special Muny dinner package for $35 that includes a three-course menu with lots of choices and transportation to and from the Muny.  Shuttle service will keep circling between the Cheshire and Muny until the show begins. OK, I know what you’re’ thinking – is it the Double-decker bus?  Unfortunately, not. According the Chef Hale it needed a lot of repairs. But who knows it could be resurrected just as the Cheshire /Muny tradition has been.

Besides the special Muny package the Restaurant at the Cheshire offers a broad menu and an impressive wine list.  With past Cheshire memories of my own I was delighted to see Chef Hale’s throwback menu items of rotisserie chicken, brisket and the Prime Rib with Yorkshire Pudding. Beefeaters will be pleased to know steak butter, a Cheshire classic, is still available.

Next door to the Restaurant at Cheshire is its Market, a combo gourmet market and café where you pick up an impromptu picnic to take tot he Muny or enjoy al fresco on its patio courtyard. Either way, dining in hhe Restaurant or grabbing a picnic at The Market the Cheshire’s Muny shuttle is available.

Once you have your dinner destination decided don’t for get your Muny tickets. Tickets are available for all show on-line or at the Muny box office. Seats range from box seats to the free seats. Yep, that’s right free seats, the last nine rows are open on a first come basis. Free seats have been the Muny’s cultural gift to St Louis for the past 95 years; making an evening at the theater affordable for all, especially if you splurge on dinner.

The Culver Pavilion at The Muny: For information and reservations at the Culver Pavilion and show tickets click on www.muny.org or call 314-361-1900

The Restaurant at the Cheshire: For reservations click on www.restaurant-stl.com or call 314-932-7818.