Midwest Road Trip - St. Louis

Its been years since I've been back in St. Louis. Most people in Cali ask me, "why?!" as if going to the midwest is that part of the map that used to have " dragons and monsters be here." I can understand their reserve. Anyone who has live in Cali for any length of time can appreciate everything that it has to offer. St. Louis lies someplace in "the middle" where people raise chickens or something. 

I don't see it that way. For 11 years this was my home. There are so many cute neighborhoods and places to check out. Granted - if you know your way you can check out most of them in a week (if not sooner). But I had to take Maria around. We arrived in the middle of a heat wave and the average temp outside was 105. The humidity makes it 115 - the type of weather that makes you regret coming here. But like I always said, the only thing worse than a St. Louis summer is a St. Louis winter. I find myself looking down at my iPhone and scoping the weather back home - San Francisco 65 bright sunny and perfect (sigh) - but moving on. . . 

 So places one must go (part the first). Soulard was high on my list. This is the old french quarter of St. Louis. The buildings are old and have incredible character. The brick houses, the iron fences, and quaint balconies all bring back memories of small bars and excellent restaurants. I'd recommend:

1) McGurks - irish bar that has music and an excellent back porch beer garden.

http://www.mcgurks.com/

2) Molly's - Creole food at its finest

http://mollysinsoulard.com/

3) Soulard Coffee Garden - excellent place for breakfast

http://soulardcoffeegarden.com/

4) Sydney Street Cafe - Amazing food - good wine selection

http://www.sidneystreetcafe.com/

5) 1860's Saloon - Beer eh!

http://1860saloon.com/

I'll be honest, there are a ton more - I can only name a few and for all those places that were amazing - I'm sorry I could not name you! Also there is a bar and restaurant that is technically not in Soulard but is worth a visit - called the Venice Cafe. Its an experience all on to itself and definitely worth a visit.
http://www.thevenicecafe.com/

By the way - Soulard also hosts the world's 2nd largest Mardi Gras every year! From what I remember in 2005 when New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Karina, it was the largest Mardi Gras in the country.

Then of course there is also the Busch Brewery tour - I had my reservations about this, as Busch had been bought out by InBev and from what I hear InBev is own by McCain's wife. So aside from the crappy beer it pumps out, it is also apparently owned by right wing crazy conservatives. Think I'm going to stick to wine for a while. That said - you do get two frees beers out it - woo hoo!

Yes - we did the arch. Did we go up in it ? No - why? cause it is a tourist trap and its always an oven at the top. Besides, there is only so much of the arch that one can take. The museum at the bottom is not bad. I personally recommend heading over to Laclede's Landing next door to listen in on some good music. But be careful as a lot of the rednecks love to descend on this place and there is usually a fight that breaks out somewhere on a Saturday night.

Washington Ave. has got to be one of my favorites. Its urban renewal at its best. I owned a loft down here and had I kept it, I'm sure I would have been able to sell it for an amazing profit - but I had dreams of The West to fulfill. On a Fri/Sat night, this is the place to be. Everyone is dressed well and the bars, restaurants, and nights clubs are a buzz of activity. It was incredible to be back here again. I missed the hot humid nights on Wash Ave with a martini in one hand - and now Maria on the other.

My internet time is running out - but I'll write more soon. St. Louis you rock! . . . in your own cute little way.