Between El Monstero and The Urge, Bill Reiter has spent decades on St. Louis stages, logging plenty of late nights and celebratory meals around town. (Don’t miss last week’s podcast episode with Reiter and John Pessoni, both of El Monstero and The Urge.) When he’s not playing to packed rooms, these are the restaurants he keeps coming back to, spots that work just as well for a special occasion as they do for a recovery brunch the morning after a show.
Acero
“A fantastic traditional Italian place in Maplewood with a tasting menu and wine pairing option that has never failed. The gnocco fritto (aka ‘meat donuts’), beignets with prosciutto, is exactly as awesome as it sounds.”
7266 Manchester Road, Maplewood, acerostl.com
Bowood by Niche
“I could maybe fill a list like this with every restaurant Gerard Craft has ever opened, but this has quickly become a brunch staple for my wife and me. If I play the Pageant the night before, you’re probably going to find me here in the morning. Vermont cheddar waffles and the cacio e pepe eggs are both phenomenal.”
4605 Olive St., St. Louis, bowoodbyniche.com
Corner 17
“Every single thing on the menu rocks and runs the gamut from approachable and familiar Chinese cuisine to things that you may have never gotten a chance to try before. Every order tends to include some conversation like ‘well, we should also get…’”
6623 Delmar Blvd., University City, corner17usa.com
Press Pizza & Pasta
“The hook is the stuffed pizza, which is completely unique (not quite a pizza, not quite a calzone, with some hot and cold elements), but the pasta dishes are as good as it gets. You can throw a rock in any direction in this town and hit a pasta place, and I think Press stacks up against any of them. They also have a terrific cocktail menu, with plenty of NA options.”
2509 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, press-stl.com
Sado
“It’s been a first-choice ‘special occasion’ place for my wife and me almost since it opened. I can honestly say it has ruined run-of-the-mill sushi for me forever. The atmosphere, the setting, and the staff are all top-notch.”
5201 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, sado-stl.com