We try new restaurants and bars that open around the St. Louis area so we can make meaningful recommendations on where you should go. Here’s where made the cut in August, from a social darts concept to a sprawling estate in the green pastures of Cottleville.
Scroll through the slideshow below to learn more about Cottle Village. Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyBig Mouth Sandwich Co.
You can find the delectable Italian-style sandwiches of Big Mouth Sandwich Co. at both Perennial Artisan Ales and The Mack Bar & Grill in South City, and they’re bringing the kind of flavor‑packed dishes that go way beyond typical brewery fare. The garlicky, rich Beef Bène is the standout with an Italian cheese blend, aioli, and mild cherry peppers for a pop of freshness – so good it doesn’t even need the side of au jus served alongside. The beet sandwich is surprisingly satisfying, fresh and hearty with slices of green apple plus golden raisin chimichurri and a creamy burrata-ricotta spread. The grilled cheese feels grown up thanks to a delicious spread of fresh basil-almond pesto. Everything’s piled high, so expect a little chaos; fillings tend to tumble out, but that’s half the fun when you use the house chips to scoop up the extras.
8125 Michigan Ave., St. Louis, perennialbeer.com; 4615 Macklind Ave., St. Louis, 314.832.8199, mackbarandgrill.com Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyFlight Club
Part darts bar, part British pub, part carnival, Flight Club is a solid pick next time you’re planning a game night. The 6,250-square-foot space features eight semi-private “oches” (that’s dart lingo for gaming area), and several interactive games like Donkey Derby and classic bullseye. Before playing, you’ll snap a selfie so your name and photo show up on screen when it’s your turn to compete. After every win, you get an instant replay video, which is a really fun aspect – so get your game face on. On our visit, we even joined a spontaneous bullseye contest with players at another board and walked away with a $25 gift card.
The space is surprisingly comfortable for summer (not overly chilled like so many bars and restaurants) and channels a whimsical, fairground-meets-Victorian-pub vibe. The cocktail list is playful too: We enjoyed the Snapdragon with vodka, lychee, dragonfruit and lime, and the spicy Bee Sting with bourbon, hot honey and apricot. The food menu has a few hits and few misses. Highlights included the chicken skewers over the most incredible mango chutney (which we sopped up with the soft bao buns we also ordered so as not to leave a drop of that amazing yogurt-based sauce left on the plate), and cinnamon-dusted churros with a side of creamy mousse for dessert.
7710 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, flightclubdartsusa.com/st-louis Credit: photo courtesy of Flight ClubCottle Village
Cottle Village is the kind of multi‑concept destination that makes you want to stay awhile. Spread across 4.5 acres in the heart of booming Cottleville, it’s a mix of historic charm and modern hangout: a restaurant and bar set inside a restored house, a separate distillery lounge, an outdoor bar tucked into a converted barn, and a sprawling green space with lawn games, a stage for live music and plenty of room to roam.
The food and drinks hold up too. Biscuit sliders are like chicken minis leveled up – buttery, with microgreens and a jalapeño‑tomato jam that tastes like a sweet salsa. The Ribeye Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is one of the best we’ve had in a while. The mac and cheese has French onion soup energy, with baked cheese and rich onion flavor, while the lettuce wraps bring a smoky freshness. For drinks, try the Cappelletti spritz – like Aperol but a little more bitter – or the Hot Honey Smash, which comes in hot with ginger and heat, almost like a Kentucky Mule.
6470 Highway N, Cottleville, 636.268.2123, cottlevillage.com Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyThe Cottle Village biscuit sliders are grown-up versions of chick’n minis. Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyCottle Village’s mac and cheese serves serious French onion soup vibes. Credit: photo by Lauren HealeySikao Life Chinese BBQ
Sikao Life Chinese BBQ is a no-frills Chinese barbecue spot tucked just off the Delmar Loop, part of a growing wave of more authentic Chinese eateries in the area. The menu is extensive and flavorful. Both the beef strips and the pork ribs come intensely seasoned (though a bit dry), the kimchi fried rice is a nice departure from steamed or even standard fried rice, and you can adjust the spice level on every dish to your liking, but even “little spicy” packs quite a punch. The space is simple, with just enough tables if you’d rather eat in than take it to go. You can order from a QR code at your table, then a server will bring you your food; add as much as you’d like to your tab throughout the meal, then pay at the end. It’s not fancy, but the flavors are on point.
567-A Melville Ave., University City, 314.818.2681, sikaolife.com Credit: photo by Lauren Healey
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Lauren is a longtime journalist who has honed her writing, reporting, editing and photography skills in various roles at newspapers, magazines and websites in the Midwest. Her time spent with Sauce since...
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