by Tina M. Farmer
For many professionals in the St. Louis area, lunchtime usually
means grabbing fast food between errands or meetings, and enjoying
a meal is a rare luxury. On those occasions when you find yourself
with an hour or so to spare, the following restaurants offer a
delicious respite from a hectic schedule.
Charlie
Gitto’s
207 N. 6th St., Downtown,
436-2828
Mon. through Thurs.,
11 a.m. to 10 p.m
Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
If you’re looking for a truly St. Louis lunchtime experience,
not much tops Charlie Gitto’s downtown location. The crowd
is an eclectic mix, but the food is traditional Italian cuisine.
Pasta and its world-famous salad, as well as Atlantic salmon and
tilapia, are among the favorite lunch choices, and you can expect
to pay from $7.50 to $20. You’re likely to face a five-
to ten-minute wait, but it passes quickly if you check out the
celebrity photographs lining the walls. All major credit cards
accepted.
Restaurant
Space
1933 S. Kingshighway (at Daggett),
The Hill, 773-2590
Lunch – Mon. through Fri., 11:00 a.m to 2:00 pm
With a wide selection of styles and flavors to choose from, Restaurant
Space offers a casual lunch experience in a stylish, contemporary
setting. Choose from signature salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizza,
a wide range of appetizers and lunch specials. Ask about al cove
seating for a more intimate dining experience, or for a lunch
meeting without distractions. A private meeting room for up to
20 is available at no additional charge.
Zoë
Pan-Asian Cafe
4753 McPherson Ave., Central
West End, 361-0013
Lunch – Mon. through Fri.,
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you’re looking to get away from it all for lunch, Zoë
Pan-Asian is a welcome break from the usual. The chic decor and
imaginative menu set this restaurant apart from others and guarantee
it draws a crowd, so there may be a wait. Everything on the menu
is available for carry out, if you’re in a hurry, and prices
range between $10 and $20. MasterCard, VISA and American Express
are accepted.
609
609 Eastgate Ave., The U. City
Loop, 721-9168,
Lunch – Mon. through Sat.,
11:00 to 2:30
609 features seasonal Asian fusion cuisine, with three chefs including
a pastry chef sharing a mix of techniques. Ingredients include
fresh produce from local farmers and seafood chosen from Bob’s
Seafood Market every day. A favorite lunch item is the drunken
seafood noodle bowl, a Thai/Asian dish. Working lunches are made
more convenient with wireless Internet available in the restaurant.
The
Fatted Calf
12 S. Bemiston Ave., Clayton,
726-1141
Mon. through Sat.,
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Fatted Calf, appropriately, is famous for its burgers, and
with good reason – they’re great and reasonably priced
from $5 - $10. The certified Angus beef burgers, complemented
by a wide variety of top- Soulard Coffee Garden photo by Timothy
Farmer/SunFocus pings, have been a Clayton landmark for more than
30 years. The classic lunch menu also features grilled chicken
breast, tuna and swordfish, all quickly prepared to your specifications.
MasterCard, VISA and American Express accepted.
The
Best of Everything
8135 Maryland Ave., Clayton,
863-5064
Mon. through Fri.,
7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Best of Everything is the spot to go if you’re looking
for an authentic deli experience at an affordable price. With
nearly every sandwich imaginable made to your specifications,
even picky eaters are surprised by the selection. And the prices,
from $5 to $10, keep this spot an affordable destination. You
may have to wait a few minutes for service, but the friendly staff
keeps things flowing briskly. MasterCard, VISA accepted.
Farotto’s
9525 Manchester Road, Rock Hill,
962-0048
Mon. through Thurs.,
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm.
Fri., 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Established in 1956, Farotto’s is slightly off the beaten
path, but people go out of their way to stop in for a pleasant
lunchtime experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Known for its pizza,
pastas, red sauce and salads, Farotto’s has expanded to
include a year-round patio, a larger dining room and an intimate
banquet area. Prices range from $6 for most sandwiches to $15
for a large, gourmet pizza. All major credit cards are accepted.
Soulard
Coffee Garden
910 Geyer Ave., Soulard, 241-1464
6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
If you’re looking for fresh made food and quick service,
the Soulard Coffee Garden is ready to serve you. The diverse menu
includes a soup and salad special and a variety of portabella
sandwiches that have earned the spot a reputation for some of
the best vegetarian sandwiches in town. Lunches are moderately
priced in the $5 to $7.50 range and an updated menu, including
daily specials, is planned for the new year.
Duff’s
392 N. Euclid Ave., Central West End
361-0522, Tue. through Thurs.,
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m. to midnight,
Sun., 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
One of the nicest things about Duff’s is that the menu changes
several times a year. The current menu features lunch specials,
classics with a twist, like Greg’s grilled meatloaf, as
well as dishes with a global appeal, like cioppino, a San Francisco
style seafood stew, and tandoori tofu, moderately priced. The
popular location accepts reservations for lunch and dinner and
there is a separate dining area available for parties of 30 or
more. All major credit cards accepted.
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