Vote: Favorite Brunch Spot in South County/Arnold?

Which of these nominees gets your vote for your favorite brunch location in the area?

It's time to vote now in the second phase of this week's South County Food Fight. You've given us your nominations. Now, it's time to vote from among the finalists. Where do you think is the best place for brunch in South County and Arnold? The weekly Food Fight is our friendly competition among eateries, diners, bistros, bars, pubs and fine dining establishments in our South County and Arnold Patch sites: Mehlville, Oakville, Affton, Shrewsbury, Crestwood, Fenton, High Ridge and Arnold. So, here are the places you nominated as our finalists in this week's Food Fight. So the rest is in your hands now. You'll have till 5 p.m. Friday to vote for your favorite place for brunch food. We'll announce the winner on Saturday. Don't forget: You can…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Favorite Brunch: What's Your Choice in South County/Arnold?

What do you recommend when friends ask for your favorite place for Sunday brunch?

With Mothers' Day just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to talk about Sunday brunch. When you want to treat mom to a nice brunch, what's the South County or Arnold location you'd recommend? This week, we're interested in your favorite South St. Louis County brunch spot. Every week on the South County Food Fight, we're looking the best places to dine and drink. Please give your recommendations for places in our South County Patches (and Arnold): Fenton, High Ridge, Mehlville, Oakville, Shrewsbury, Affton, Sunset Hills and Crestwood. Here's how Food Fight works: Then: So where's your favorite spot for brunch in South County or Arnold? So show your hometown pride and pick a place near you. Boast about that small family …

•  7 Comments
• Photos (2)

Diversions

Ride the Rails to Columbia

The Columbia Star Dinner Train lets you wine and dine while watching the countryside slide past your window.

The Columbia Star Dinner Train is a whistle blast from the past. The train offers fine railroad-style dining from days gone by, complete with friendly waitstaff, white linens, real china and candlelight. Train buffs would be interested to know that the engines are a pair of retired Great Northern Railroad diesels from 1948 and 1953, while the passenger cars are genuine Southern Pacific Pullmans from 1938. Meals are prepared right on the train, in a modern kitchen placed in a converted baggage car. The train can seat over 200 guests and can also be reserved for private excursions. The Columbia Star operates year round, with a 7 p.m. dinner train on Friday and Saturday with a Sunday brunch train at 11:30 a.m. You can board the train 30 …

• Photos (5)

Eating In, Dining Out

Early or Late Breakfast is Served Anytime at First Watch

Overslept and missed breakfast? No worries. If you're hungry for pancakes at noon or burgers at 7 a.m., First Watch aims to satisfy your craving.

Hungry for breakfast but you overslept, and it’s noon? No worries. Late risers looking for bacon and eggs served for lunch need only find their way to First Watch in Dierbergs Telegraph Plaza. “I like to say we’re the best keep secret here,” said Oakville’s First Watch Manager Les Whitehall, remarking how his store is often overlooked in the busy plaza anchored by Dierbergs. “You can stop in anytime during our hours and have breakfast for lunch or lunch for breakfast,” he said. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at 2:30 p.m. The open dining room is appointed with tables and booths that can accommodate large groups or those who dine alone. After being seated, unwrap your flatware, and you’ll find a local touch, a message printed on the paper …

• Photos (4)