Restaurant Blog - Chowbaby.com

by Elizabeth Slonim

TOP OF THE RIVERFRONT 200 South Fourth Street St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 241-3191

American Cuisine

The Top of the Riverfront is located in the Millennium Hotel. Perched on the 28 floor, the restaurant revolves 360 degrees, the only restaurant in the city to do so. Sunday brunch diners will be greeted with piano music and can choose from over 100 items while overlooking the mighty Mississippi. The view extends into Illinois and highlights downtown St. Louis landmarks, includes the brand new Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch. Brunch selection is comprised of a cold seafood station, salads, breads, breakfast staples such as eggs Benedict, pasta, and hearty meats. As an end to the sophisticated sampling, a dessert table is also available. Reservations are recommended.

KOKO
3257 Ivanhoe Ave. St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 647-3322
From the moment I stepped foot in KoKo, a wonderful new restaurant in south St. Louis, I knew I’d want to return again and again. Apparently, I’m not the only one who feels this way; the restaurant does a great business even on weeknights. But no matter how popular KoKo becomes, what makes it so utterly romantic is that it feels like your place – like you discovered it. The restaurant is situated on a very quiet stretch of Ivanhoe, in a neighborhood known more for its working-man taverns and small, well-kept homes than for intimate dining experiences. Until KoKo came along, that is: With its warm lighting, table-top flowers and sultry chill-out music, this pan-Latin/Creole fusion restaurant is one of the most romantic spots in town. Walk through the dark damask curtains into the main dining room, and you’ll see couples sharing inventive cuisine. Food at KoKo is meant to be shared – from the excellent guacamole (with equally delicious plantain chips) to the more-than-enough-for-two asapao (a thick, savory Puerto Rican stew brimming with veggies, chicken and sausage). The goat cheese salad, with its generous disc of locally sourced chevre, is the perfect starter; the small-but-thoughtful wine list the perfect accompaniment. Whether you’re on a first date or celebrating an anniversary, the spicy cuisine and sultry atmosphere is sure to heat things up quite nicely. And before long, you’ll come to think of KoKo as “your place,” too.

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LA CAILLE
9565 Wasatch Boulevard, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah 84092
(801) 942-1751
Having garnered numerous local and national awards included “Best Ambiance” five times from two different publications; La Caille is truly the place for a French escape. The restaurant is surrounded by gardens and vineyards, and treats its dinners to the simple joys of Provencal food. Its menu features traditional French favorites including veau aux champignons with a sauce of Veuve Clicquot  and shallots, served with black truffles, mushroom duxelle and linguini; and Caneton de la Saison featuring young pan roasted eastern duck served with cognac, amaretto, port, ginger and seasonal fruit. For dessert, cherries jubilee served in the traditional flambé style is not to be missed.

By: Scott Kessman

BABETTES
(631) 329-5377
66 Newtown Ln
East Hampton, NY 11937

Cuisine – American, Fusion, Vegetarian, Healthy

Serving mostly organic food, Babette’s first welcomes you into its luxurious green atmosphere, a cafe-like hotspot rich with various plants and trees. With a menu featuring a large selection of vegetarian food as well as fresh, organic poultry and seafood, you’ll have no problem finding a healthy, flavorful meal to suit your liking. While the restaurant isn’t completely vegetarian, at least one third of the dishes featured on the menu cater to vegetarians, and the remainder is equally as healthy, as well as thoughtfully creative. You’ll find food from other cultures adequately represented, and you may find your mouth watering before you’ve managed to decide on a particular dish. Babette’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In the evening hours, the restaurant serenades the diners with casual jazz music and dim-lit ambience.

by Spencer Alcorn

Bella Vista at the Biltmore
1260 Channel Dr, Montecito
Phone: (805) 969-2261
Though located in a chain hotel (albeit a luxurious one), Bella Vista’s brunch is a Santa Barbara one-off. Varied seasonally and for holidays, the prix-fixe Sunday brunch buffet remains constant in one particular: its surpassing excellence. From the fresh oysters on the half-shell to the extensive carving stations and made-to-order egg bar, all the luxe brunch standbys are here. Also presented are such innovative choices as a wide range of sushis and sashimis, cheese plates, finger sandwiches, an extensive selection of local salads, and a tempting array of desserts. The staff pampers without hovering, and the surf crashes outside. Perfect.

by Darcie Vance

Midnight Blue
900 E. Washington St.  Orlando, FL 32801
407.999.9012
Casual elegance is used to describe this brunch and American restaurant. At Midnight Blue you will feel at home with good prices and good food. The menu is upscale yet fun at the same time. With choices like Orange French Toast and Lemon Blueberry Pancakes it is easy to see there is a refined twist to old favorites. Breakfast Burrito, frittata, sliders and even a customized cheese tray are also favorites here. This brunch allows guests to order off the menu so they can get as little or as much as they would like. Save room for the Tempura Twinkie it tastes as good as it sounds!

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by Russel Stacey

SEA THAI RESTAURANT
3812 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 895-0985

Quality Thai food is known for its savory condiments, bold dishes and distinctive combinations of ingredients. And Sea (which stands for “South East Asia”) Thai doesn’t disappoint. But don’t let the utilitarian exterior fool you–the restaurant features muted colors on the walls and cozy tables with mood lighting. Dishes such as Tiger Tear Steak, Sizzling Lava and Curry Fish are sure to spice up your evening. The Mango with Sticky Rice dessert is a terrific meal-ender.

AN AMERICAN PLACE
822 Washington Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 418-5800
The historic dining room of An American Place was restored as part of the $270 million renovation of the St. Louis Renaissance Grand Hotel and opened in 2003. Having a meal at An American Place makes you feel like you’re feasting in the dining room of a mansion. The marble floors and ornate décor lend itself to an intimate evening. An American Place boasts the only “celebrity chef” in St. Louis – Larry Forgione, a champion for local farmers from coast to coast promoting regional specialties. His concept menu includes wild Maine belon oysters warmed with wild leeks over Chardonel vine trimmings and rack of Missouri grass-fed lamb with slow roasted lamb jus and creamed roast parsnips. Even the desserts incorporate the American theme, even if it’s from an island, with the Hawaiian vintage chocolate praline cake. For those looking to visit a downtown hot spot for drinks, the restaurant’s sexy Indigo Lounge is the place.

by Emily Bernard

RAWHIDE STEAKHOUSE AND SALOON
5700 West North Loop Road, Chandler, Arizona 85226
*Note that hours change seasonally, contact the restaurant for details.
 Rawhide is an 1880’s Western Town complete with steakhouse, saloon and shops.  After meandering the authentic old west streets and entertaining the kids with a petting ranch, gold panning, rock climbing and bull riding (mechanical, that is), you’re sure to work up an appetite.  The charming western theme takes over the steakhouse, where showgirls and cowboys serve the best babyback ribs, mesquite grilled steaks and barbeque chicken west of the Mississippi.  Rawhide Rattler and Rocky Mountain Oysters are house specialties for the courageous diners… they even come complete with a commemorative certificate of bravery.  Work up an appetite for dessert by dancing to live country music offered every evening.  If you time your trip right, you can catch the sundown cookout held every Saturday night from February through June and October through November.  This brings the mouthwatering menu favorites of the steakhouse out under the stairs and features stunt shows, magic shows and a marshmallow roast.  Rawhide Steakhouse and Saloon is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience back in time for kids and adults alike.

by Jill O’Farrell

RODIZIO GRILL
600 S. 700 E. Trolley Square, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Located in Historic Trolley Square, Rodizio Grill is a can’t miss experience. The very best Brazil has to offer is slow roasted and served up daily on large skewers and carved right at your table. Waiters in traditional Brazilian garb frequent the dining room carrying large cuts of meat, which they will skillfully carve onto your plate at your request. And with over a dozen different meats to choose from, you are certain to leave satisfied. The cost of dinner also includes the salad bar. Also not to be missed is the glazed, grilled pineapple and Rodizio’s assortment of desserts.