Dining in W. G.

For those of us who grew up in Webster Groves in the ‘60’s, the words “dining” and “Webster Groves” were rarely heard together!  Other than Steak and Shake and a couple of other choices, there were not many places to go out to dinner within the boundaries of Webster!  What a difference 60 years make!  Webster is now a culinary epicenter with tons of restaurants and cafés.  While visiting during our Reunion Weekend, you may want to find somewhere for breakfast, a tasty lunch, dinner, or a drink.  Here is a list of some of the restaurants available to you, and these are just in Old Webster or Old Orchard!  Bon appétit!

Old Webster: On or near Lockwood, between Rock Hill Road and South Gore (from west to east)

Robust:  Just west of Straub’s, Robust is a classy wine bar with food (somewhat upscale)  Has some outdoor seating.

Olive and Oak:  (Across the street from Straub’s) Upscale dining.  (The owners operate two other restaurants in the same area)

The Perennial on Lockwood:  (attached to Olive and Oak) a microbrewery with a creative menu.  Has some outdoor seating.

The Parkmoor:  Yes, that Parkmoor!  After they closed their original location, they sold their menu (and lots of their décor) to new owners who expanded the menu and opened on Lockwood.  Casual with some outdoor seating.

The Block:  A steak and chop house (with an in-house butcher shop).  Across the street from Straub’s.

St. Louis Bread Company (Panera Bread):  next door to Straub’s

DD Mau:   (just off of Lockwood on the first-floor of an office building) Vietnamese fast food.  Has outdoor seating

Layla/the Bad Egg:  (next door to DD Mau) unusual menu, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner (3 days a week)—serves everything from eggs, to burgers, to shawarma.  Has outdoor seating

CJ Muggs:  (on the corner of North Gore and Lockwood—it used to be the drugstore!)  A traditional restaurant with a broad menu, ranging from burgers and salads to pastas and other entrees.  Has some outdoor seating.

Llywellyn’s Pub:  (off of North Gore, on Moody) Irish/Welsh bar and restaurant.  Large patio.

Clover and the Bee/ O & O Pizza:  these two restaurants are also owned by the people who own Olive and Oak.  They are interesting for their menus but also for what they used to be:  O & O is in the spot where the Florence Dress Shop used to be and Clover and the Bee is in the place of the old Book Store (corner of Lockwood and South Gore)  Clover and the Bee serves coffee, breakfast, brunch and lunch;  in the evening, O & O serves upscale, gourmet  pizzas and pastas.  Both have outdoor seating.

Dewey’s Pizza:  (further east on Lockwood)  traditional and more unusual pizzas and salads.

Old Orchard:  (there are lots of smaller restaurants in this area—coffee shops, pizzerias, Chinese food, fast food, etc. – but I’ll try to just hit the highlights.

Cyrano’s:  (where Lockwood turns into Big Bend) This is the new location of the Cyrano’s many of us went to after dances in high school and college.  They serve a unique menu with a variety of types of food, but are still lovingly remembered for their desserts (World’s Fair Éclair, anyone?)  Has some outdoor seating.

Weber’s Grill:  bar food, moderately priced

Chiang Mai:  This is a relatively new Thai restaurant, with a well-reviewed menu.

Balkan Treat Box:  This unique restaurant (featuring the food of Bosnia) began as a food truck, but has opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant, which is so popular that there is often a line down the block to get in.

Highway 61 Roadhouse:  (just off Big Bend, near McDonald’s)  This restaurant features Southern cuisine, BBQ and some Cajun specialties.  There is music several nights a week.  There is some outdoor seating.

The Frisco Barroom/the Annex:  These two restaurants are owned by the same people, who also run a couple of upscale stores in the same block.  The Frisco is in the venue that used to house the Natural Way.  This very popular restaurant serves everything from sandwiches and salads to other dinner entrees.  They have a large outdoor patio and a rooftop beer garden as well.  Very popular Happy Hour on week-nights.  Next door is the Annex, described as a coffee shop and general store:  excellent pastries, sandwiches and salads, plus all kinds of gourmet goodies.  They have a large, covered patio and is very popular, especially for breakfast/brunch. 

Believe it or not, this list could go on and on.  This does not cover everything!  You may find a place that makes you nostalgic or one that becomes a new favorite.  There is a lot to see, eat or buy in the new and charming shops.  At any rate, we hope you enjoy rediscovering your home town—welcome to Reunion Weekend!