The Lou Lowdown: St. Louis, Missouri

There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and, ideally, answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, are here to help provide some peripheral insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey.

The Five W's + H:
Who: The traveling trinity: Christina, Sophs, and yours truly. 
What: Top 5 places to drink up 
Where: St. Louis, Missouri 
When: May 2024 - September 2024
Why: I'd like you to pay close attention to the route at the top of this page and keep in mind that this was the second straight contract where we drove all the way back to Texas, and then accepted a contract just a few hours drive FROM WHICH WE JUST CAME. We've had some bad contract luck in the past, but damn. Back-to-back like that? That's cold universe. At least we were able to hang for a few weeks in Montgomery before venturing, once again, all up into the Midwest.
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How: After a few weeks of rest and relaxation at Lake Conroe, us peripatetic Pages hopped back on 45 and headed north near Frisco, Texas where we were able to spend time with my favorite nephew River. Then, after a quick stop in Springfield, MO, we finally arrived at what would be one of our three St. Louis-area homes over the course of our four months there: Chesterfield. In total, it was nearly 15 hours and more than 1000 miles to get from Indy to Monty, then another roughly 13 hours and 850 miles on to Chesterfield, Missouri.
(Just for reference it's less than four hours and about 250 miles from Indianapolis to St. Louis, but who doesn't love taking the scenic route?)   

Top 5 Places to Drink Up: St. Louis, Missouri

NINJA Japanese Sushi Bar & Steakhouse (1737 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, MO 63017)

Quotable: "Best Sushi in St. Louey." 

Generally, smaller landlocked cities like St. Louis (unless you consider the Mississippi River a body of water you'd like to eat from) don't feature a robust sushi selection. Not so in the case of NINJA, a delightful raw bar that puts a unique spin on sushi fare. 

The devil is in the details here and you can virtually customize any roll to your personal taste. Want to ditch the seaweed and substitute soy paper on your Avocado Roll (Christina's sushi special) instead? Your wish is their command. For a small upcharge, there are an array of additions or subs available at your desired discretion. 

My go-to at Ninja is the tried and true Rainbow Roll, which is basically your typical California roll (crab, cucumber and avocado stuffed in sticky rice) topped with an assortment of fresh tuna, salmon and yellowtail. It's melt-in-your-mouth delicious and provides a solid base on which to build your very own sushi sampler. 

While not considered your typical Japanese fare, Ninja's Fried Rice (wok stir fried rice with egg, onion, carrot and scallion) is some of the tastiest and most authentic around. A Christina favorite, this delicious dish could go toe-to-toe with some of the best Thai food in town.

Arzola's Fajitas + Margaritas (2730 McNair Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118​)

Quotable: "South of the border cuisine boasting a bevy of vegetarian eats and creative cocktails."

Tracking down tasty Mexican food outside of Texas is like finding a four leaf clover, a rarity but certainly a stroke of luck if you can get your hands on it. Arzola's Fajitas + Margaritas, a self-described "Tex-mex restaurant", became my lucky charm with their quality, authentic Mexican cuisine and some of the friendliest service you can find.

​One cannot simply incorporate "Fajitas" into the name of their restaurant if they're not ready to bring the heat. Luckily, Arzola's keeps it real offering four fajita options each with their own signature flair. I decided to keep it vegetarian and roll with the Sweet Potato Fajitas (pictured above) and they did not disappoint. Thinly sliced, marinated and charbroiled just like its Steak and Chicken counterparts, these fajitas come crispy yet juicy and topped with seasonal veggies and poblano rajas.

​Also cleverly inserted into the marquee is your favorite cocktail's favorite cocktail: the magnificent margarita. There are myriad classic and creative concoctions here to strike your fancy. My favorite is La Flaca: El Jimador Silver Tequila, fresh lime, dab of organic agave nectar and Arzola's special salt air that is a must-try.

Don't sleep on the Classic Queso here either. Again, it's boastfully labeled "Tex-mex style" so you know I had to put that to the test--and wouldn't you know it passed with flying colors. The fresh pico de gallo adds a subtle layer of spice to pair perfectly with the creamy, melted yellow cheese base. 

Westchester (127 Chesterfield Towne Center, Chesterfield, MO 63005​​)

Quotable: "Fine dining, 'hometown hotspot' for those hankering for some home cooking." 

On the outskirts of The Gateway City in a little west-side suburb called Chesterfield, Westchester restaurant and bar is one of the best hidden gems you can find. Since this eatery relies on locally sourced, seasonal fare, the menu is ever-evolving and changing. However, there are a few menu mainstays that are worth the trek here alone. 

Meal hack: Be sure to order a plate of warm fresh bread from your server upon arrival. Not only is the bread fresh baked daily, but the unique Westchester butter teaming with lemon, honey, poppy seeds and herbs is not to be missed.

As for appetizers, you can't go wrong with the Crispy Brussels Sprouts & Shishito Peppers (pictured above). The sprouts and shishitos come grill marked up and topped with Marcona almonds, spicy chili salt, crisp sourdough crumbs, and a generous helping of savory paprika aioli. 

The Lucky Dog Farm Kale Caesar Salad comes with a heaping helping of blanched local kale topped with delicious anchovy dressing, crispy house-made croutons and soft parmesan cheese. (I know you're thinking I missed the mark putting a kale salad as a must-eat dish, but once you've tasted this savory spread you might have a fresh outlook on the possibilities of leafy green plates.)

Westchester also features a variety entrees, including classic steakhouse cuts and fresh seafood concoctions tailored specifically on the seasonal ingredients available. 

Snarf's Sandwiches (614 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101)

Quotable: "The best eggplant parm around."

Nearly 30 years ago, one man's quest for the world's finest sandwich began with the opening of the OG Snarf's Sandwiches in Boulder, Colorado and has now culminated in more than 50 locations across three states. Luckily for yours truly, one of those states just happens to be Missouri where Snarfs has locations throughout the STL area. 

Little did I, merely a humble vessel bringing you places to partake in amazing eats across this giant rock hurling through space, know that it would be here that I met my (sandwich) maker. 

The specialty Eggplant Parmesan with house-made hot peppers, onion, pickle, seasoning and oil is the best vegetarian sandwich I've ever had. Hands down. The spice of the hot peppers, crunch of the pickle and addicting deliciousness of the deep fried eggplant morph to form an unstoppable onslaught that takes your taste buds directly down to pleasure town. 

Clark & Bourbon (799 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102)

Quotable: "Premier hangout hub featuring master mixologists." 

One of the best places to grab a cold drink (and people watch) in the bustling Busch Stadium area of downtown St. Louis just happens to be Live! by Loews signature restaurant: Clark & Bourbon. Whether you're posted up on the patio directly across from the stadium, or securing a seat at the rooftop Bullock Bar and Lounge, there's no shortage of shenanigans to get into in the most popular area in St. Louis.  

As one half of this establishment's name clearly implies, whiskey is the liquor of choice here. With 480 curated bottles of Bourbon or Rye and a variety of Irish, Scotch, and Japanese whiskey's, there's no shortage of options for your next sip or cocktail base. The bartenders here know their stuff and, despite dealing with tourists most of the time, are more than willing to engage in a nice chat and work with you to craft your next favorite cocktail. 

​Sometimes a snack is necessary to soak up some of that marvelous mixed drink, and the Humus and Vegetables (while admittedly on the healthier side) is up to the task. A substantial helping of savory smoked garlic hummus comes with two massive, soft pieces of chewy garlic naan bread and crisp roasted root veggies for your dipping pleasure.