Photo courtesy the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
Summertime – time to enjoy my favorite outdoor activity, stylish alfresco dining, something beyond devouring a sack lunch on the lawn or picnicking in the park.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy noshing with friends at a picnic in the park or gobbling up a hot dog or sandwich purchased from a food truck as much as anyone. However, I must admit, I prefer to dine outdoors on posh patios or delightful decks, a dining experience first coined as “continental dining.”
In the U.S., it was inspired by returning tourists and servicemen throughout the last century, who experienced European sidewalk cafés and garden terraces, where residents have enjoyed outdoor dining for hundreds of years.
Continental dining, which includes simply sipping libations with a small plate or two on restaurateurs’ patios and decks, is definitely trending. The menu and experience will depend on the patio or deck you decide to visit. Perhaps it’s a hidden garden deck, an urban rooftop or a destination beyond the city limits renowned for panoramic views. A must is a winning culinary trifecta – good food, good times and outdoor digs designed to serve the hungry al fresco.
While we all have our favorite summer haunts, I have a few suggestions for a deck or patio that may have dropped off your radar. Each is unique and provides a location and menu designed to make one linger, while indulging in style.
Cinder House occupies the eighth floor of the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, where panoramic views of the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River are nothing short of breathtaking. Gourmets are attracted by its James Beard Award-winning chef, Gerard Craft, who oversees Cinder House’s flame-fired centric menu with a Brazilian flair. Look for eclectic wood-grilled meat dishes, like Moquega, a seafood stew laced with grilled prawns, octopus, lobster and snapper, which are perfect plates to pair with a caipirinha, the Brazilian take on the mojito, while drinking in the view.
John D. McGurk’s two-tiered garden patio offers a hidden oasis, which often goes overlooked by those who tool past its exterior. Those in the know will stop to sup and sip inside the patio walls amid its landscaped garden, where both a waterfall and a vintage-style fountain flow, as does the Irish beer on tap. It makes for a continental atmosphere to savor and enjoy a repast of a pint with a basket of Irish chips or a plate of Bangers and Mash. Don’t forget to arrive early or plan to wait, because McGurk’s outdoor seating fills fast, making it one of the hottest spots in town to chill out.
Dining dockside at the Boathouse at Forest Park has become a destination driven by its lakeside location, its Sugarfire Smoke House and its menu, created by Chef Jack MacMurray.
That said, expect to find Sugarfire pulled pork and smoked prime rib on the menu, along with unexpected edgy fare. Look for Chef Jack Mac’s smoked brisket and provel toasted ravs and the maple-glazed barbeque grilled salmon. Dog lovers can bring Fido deckside to enjoy items designed for civilized canines to dine with their owners. One caveat: Fido may not enjoy sharing the Boathouse’s deck with its resident ducks, who vie for handouts in exchange for dockside entertainment.
French-inspired and nestled in an urban landscape, Vin De Set has transported European-style al fresco to its rooftop deck, a location, if moved curbside, would possess the feel of a Parisian sidewalk café. Vin De Set describes its menu as approachable classic French cuisine, where one can eat up French classics, from fromage to escargot and crepes, beef bourguignon and croque monsieur. Classics, when served with a glass of wine, will seem to taste better atop its rooftop deck.
The Budweiser Brew House Bud Deck in Ballpark Village is the ultimate perch for Cardinals fans. Located on the Brew House’s third floor, Bud Deck offers a birds-eye view of the playing field, and some consider it a hidden gem,in spite of the fact it’s in plain view. But don’t overlook the obvious. Bud Deck seating allows guests to order from its All-American grill and imbibe from the bar, with selections that include ice-cold Budweiser, of course. Seats are limited, but affordable. Tickets must be ordered in advance through the Cardinals ticket office or cardinals.com for game-day seating. Plan ahead, otherwise, you’ll strike out.
Corbett is the author of “The Gilded Table,” “Pushcarts & Stalls: The Soulard Market History Cookbooks” and “Unique Eats and Eateries of St. Louis.” She can be contacted at suzannecorbett@me.com.
