Kimberly Pitliangas, owner of The Thaxton and our September issue cover star, was recently on The Sauce podcast talking hospitality, St. Louis and the secrets behind one of the city’s most enduring hidden gems. Below, she shares her personal list of go-to restaurants around town.
Bar Italia
“They are the OGs. I will forever be a fan. They set the bar for hospitality, European-style dining and espresso martinis in the industry. The food and wine are always delicious, and they have the best patio for people-watching with a gorgeous view of the Chase Park Plaza. Also, no one, and I mean no one, has better mussels than they do. They ruined me properly a long time ago.”
Little Fox
“Amazing food, a chic environment, top-notch service and a very fun wine list. Their attention to detail is everything!”
Frazer’s Restaurant & Lounge
“I love sitting in the bar here. It’s eclectic and exciting, with top-quality French/Creole-inspired food and a killer bar program. Great specials, and their mainstay menu item, Salmon Frazer, is to die for.”
The Jujube Inn
“Thus far, I have not been disciplined (or lucky enough) to snag a reservation at Mainlander. But you can slide into The Jujube Inn, which is the bar on the opposite side of their dinner club. The bar offers a couple of à la carte food items, and the slippery wontons are a winner. They also offer a Blue Plate Special that changes monthly. It is very creative, very delicious and very thoughtful. Which is also how I would describe the bar program, the owners and the staff.”
Pho Long
“Nothing fancy here. But I could seriously eat it every day. They have two locations, Grand and Olive. Go!”
