Stew and meatloaf on steroids!

Why aren't you having hearty food at Dressel's?

Child's size portion? @ Kaldis

Second blog about small quiche portions this time at Kaldis on Demun. Im a small portion eater by nature but this looks like a childs plate?

Fresh cut tea

Tea in a Lilly mug makes me happy. "Being happy never goes out of style" - Lilly Pulitzer

Chocolate Mille Crepe @ Choquette

Let the picture do the talking

Feeling ripped off at Rise

This used to be a neighborhood favorite for me but $13.06 for a piece of quiche and iced mint toddy (no liquor) seems excessive. This used to come with a side of greens at least but "we now have a new food supplier". Relevance? While I'm sitting here another customer is also dissappointed they don't carry something she used to order. Resting on one's laurels quick way to be out of business.

Back to the living

Julia Child's Cherry Clafoutis recipe.

Limoncello over ice cream and peaches dessert

Mamas on the Hill. STL people don't need to be walked through the other courses before dessert-although well prepared.

This specialty dessert was such an unusual pairing of a fruit and creamy sorbet/gelato/ice cream- tasted most like ice cream to me- it is blogworthy. The Limoncello didn't overwhelm and brought together the peaches and cream aspects in an unexpected way. More please.

"Cocina Castro"

This is a STL restaurant which only exists in your mind. Or if you are a dinner guest of the Castro family of Creve Coeur.

Sra.Castro made everything by and with a loving hand. The tapas style appetizer was a platter of what resembled refried beans but were actually mashed small red beans served upon a thick homemade Salvadorean style tortilla served in pita like wedges...just better. Accompaniements included queso fresco, fresh avocado slices and an amazeballs creamy chimichurri sauce like you've never likely tasted.  Score for the cocktail hour.

Dinner. Pork loin stuffed two ways both tender moist and delicious. One with a dried fruit and the other a more garlicky filling. If that weren't enough a gravy boat teeming with a marsala mushroom "salsa" (sauce) I'm still thinking about.

Sides. Sauteed plantains, tostones (fried  yuca) and a red bean and rice blend served casserole style were perfect sides for the pork loin. A simple heart of palm salad was also served. Plus a whole caddy of sauces which served as condiments- as if anything needed more flavor. 

Mr.Castro poured wine as host and their charming daughter made sure we ended our meal sipping Rum Chata on ice.  

Reservations are rarely extended so I believe Cocina Castro will have to be a virtual experience for most of you-I  only hope the pictures do Ana's hard work justice!

Modern Mexican at Cantina Laredo

A chain from Texas, Cantina Laredo is upscale Mexican. Delish cocktails like blood orange or white honey sangria served with chips and two salsas -one heated and more spicy and the other -chilled, milder but lotsa herbs!

I had enchilada de cangrejo -Rich lump Crabmeat with a chile arbol cream sauce served with sides of sauteed zucchini and rice. My friend had tacos de barbacoa which is slow roasted brisket served on steamed corn tortillas -"street taco" style.

This is not Tex Mex at all. Just another delicious interpretation of Mexican food now in Clayton!

Cassoulet @ Bar Les Freres

Ok this could have fed two as the dish was loaded with tender pork chunks, chicken and an amazing sausage seasoned with fennel. Even the traditional bed of white beans was exceptionally well seasoned, bordering on spicy. No better choice on the night of the first snowfall. Cassoulet is also a seasonal offering at BLF. Hearty!

"Cheese puffs" @ Bar Les Freres

Light as air dough around a gruyere filling. Not on the regular menu what a delight. Sorry their French name escapes me now but the server described them as cheese puffs so let's go with that!

Princess cake. Impossible to find in STL?

Princess cake illustrated layer by layer.  My love affair with this Swedish masterpiece began in 1990s  while living in Los Angeles. Readily available at L.A.'s Farmers Market (their Soulard Market), this became an obsession only when I relocated and discovered how hard it is to find across this country. Yes our new Ikea next year may have a single serve version in their cafeteria. Same idea but short in execution.

In any event here it is and if anyone knows a STL bakery making Princess cake,  I'm "all ears".

Honey and caramel frozen yogurt bars

Just try them!

The best frozen pizza ever

Imported from Italy, great vegetarian choices like eggplant and buffalo mozzarella with a drizzle of chili oil or potato and mushroom (suggestion: add some sour cream to finish).

Bake after you thaw at 475 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes, the crust is like pizza "back East".  I found these at Schnucks for $4.99.

Choices

Pastry case@ Rise coffee

Big Daddy BBQ platter @ SugarfireBBQ

Five meats- Sausage with cheese bits, Roast turkey, Brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. Normally accompanied by two sides we wrangled a third at no charge for my father's 83!rd birthday. If this platter was not enough for two men, they also gifted my dad with a "brick" of bacon apple pie for dessert

Sliders @ Siam

Unusually great beef sliders from Siam in the Grove. This newly formed resto/bar hasn't quite caught on as a place to dine. Asian leaning apps and rolls dominate. Great happy hour prices 4 to 7 pm.

Pastry @ Piccione Bakery

Cream cake with strawberries, flourless chocolate cake. tiramusu and chocolate dipped lace cookies make a great assortment after dinner for you and a guest

Breakfast @ Companion Bakery

Apricot and Fig jam cream cheese on multi grain toast. Egg casserole with bacon and cheddar topping and fruit bowl to round out your plate. Can feed two light eaters for $10. Try that at St. Louis Bread Co.

"Evolving Cocktails"

By using ice cubes as an ingredient, they change the flavor profile of the drink as they melt. e.g. use ice cubes made of tea into a glass of carbonated lemonade and vodka. As the tea melts, you have an Arnold Palmer. 

Source: "Gentlemen's Guide to Drinking Well in Las Vegas". Yahoo travel.