We all have those favorites from when we were little; those mushy, easy-to-make snacks like PB&J and mac-and-cheese. But the best is when our old-school favorites mature with our taste buds that have (hopefully) been evolving over the years.
A childhood favorite aged to perfection is exactly what I found at The Royale, a bar and restaurant that’s just a stone’s throw from Tower Grove Park. After one bite of The Royale’s Top Shelf Grilled Cheese, I was no longer reminded of skinned knees and American cheese, for my childhood favorite had been given an adult’s seal of approval.
The bread, which is Companion bakehouse white, is buttered and then toasted just enough so that I could hear it crack when I sank my teeth in. Then there are two types of cheese, cheddar and provolone, which ooze out of the bread after each bite. Aside from the quality cheese and bread, what make this sandwich all grown up are the juicy, sliced beefsteak tomatoes and a tangy pesto spread. The sandwich is served with a side, and I recommend the seasonal salad with its fresh mixed greens, apples (seasonal to when you dine), spicy red onions, goat cheese crumbles, pecans and a light red wine vinaigrette.
The best part about being a big kid? Getting to enjoy a local draft beer with my sandwich, which is a close second to grilled cheese’s main squeeze: tomato soup.
This article appears in December 2012.