Portland Place and Westmoreland Place are located in the city's Central West End, a vibrant and charming community of cobblestone streets and shaded sidewalks, next to St. Louis's magnificent Forest Park.
We asked residents to tell us the best places to eat and sites to see near their neighborhood. Here's what they had to say:
For traditional French cuisine, try Chez Leon on Laclede Avenue. If you're looking for a more diverse selection, then Duff's Restaurant is for you. Imo's Pizza and Sansui Japanese Restaurant are also favorites.
Shopping sites include the Elliot Smith Contemporary Art, a gallery that consistently earns "best in St Louis"; Euclid Records, which features new and used CDs, used videos and used vinyl; and Left Bank Books, boasting more than 20,000 titles, both new and used.
Visitors shouldn't miss a trip to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the Cathedral Basilica, the St. Louis Zoo or the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Resources Missouri Botanical Gardens
An unbelievable array of horticulture, here is a partial list of the diverse gardens. The Linnean House is the oldest continuously operating greenhouse in the country and is home to the camellia collection (members of the tea family). The Tower Grove House is partially surrounded by a 19th-century Victorian garden. The English Woodland Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Blanke Boxwood Garden and the Friendship Chinese Garden all speak for themselves. The educational Kemper Center and Home Demonstration Gardens guide visitors through the process of growing flowers and vegetables both indoors and out. The Climatron houses some 200 species of plants and some animals in a tropical setting. The Shoenberg Temperate House displays plants unique to such regions as Africa, Australia, Japan, Korea, China, South America and more.
Missouri Botanical Gardens
Website:
www.mobot.org
Euclid Records
It features new and used CDs, used videos and used vinyl. They've got tons and tons of discount titles as well as a discount bin to dig through in search of wonderful treasures. The jazz section at Euclid is world-renowned and handles mail orders that service the globe. Check their web site and join a mailing list that promises to keep you current on hot buys.
Euclid Records
4906 Laclede Ave.
(original location)
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-7353
Toll-free: 877-938-2543
Fax: 314-961-8206
Website:
www.euclidrecords.com
Imo's Pizza
It was founded more than 30 years ago by Ed Imo and boasts the original St Louis-style pizza--thin and flaky-crusted with zesty tomato sauce and all the other favorite ingredients. It's popularity grew very quickly throughout the St Louis area. Today there are more than 80 independently owned Imo's franchises in Missouri, Kansas and Southern Illinois. While most locations have the option of dining in, Imo's is by far the leader of carryout.
Imo's Pizza
4479 Forest Park Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-535-4667
Website:
www.imospizza.com
Elliot Smith Contemporary Art
Consistently earning "best in St Louis," this gallery of contemporary fine art is so attractive that it is frequently rented out as a venue for weddings and other social gatherings. The four separate galleries cover 12,000 square feet and specialize in original paintings, drawings and sculpture by established local and regional artists.
Elliot Smith Contemporary Art
4727 McPherson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-4800
Toll-free: 888-593-4800
Website:
www.elliotsmith.com
Macro Sun International
Working directly with individuals and/or groups from the countries of South Asia, Macro Sun purchases, imports, then sells an enormous variety of art that is rarely seen or available in the West. The philosophy is based on respect and fairness to Third-World artisans, their cultures, environments and spirituality. Orders can be placed online if you aren't fortunate enough to visit the store.
Macro Sun International
308 N. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-0054
Fax: 314-361-7576
E-mail:
info@macrosun.com
Website:
www.macrosun.com
Duff's Restaurant
The menu is endlessly filled with delightful entrees, salads, soups and sandwiches. The ethnicity of the cuisine is as diverse as American, Mediterranean, Italian, Creole and French. The dessert menu offers tasty treats as well as coffee beverages and dessert wines. An outstanding brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday that has guests returning time and again. The vegetarian and health-conscious selections are an added bonus.
Duff's Restaurant
392 N. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-0522
E-mail:
duffs1@mindspring.com
Website:
www.dineatduffs.com
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Free extensive tours of this historic brewery are offered to the public. If you can't make it to St. Louis, follow the process from mashing and straining to beechwood aging, packaging and shipping on their Web site. Choosing this method, however, will mean that you miss out on the final stop of the tour, the Hospitality Room, where guests sample the product! Take time to explore the history of the Busch family and their devotion to their world-famous Clydesdales!
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
1 Busch Place
(12th and Lynch Streets)
St. Louis, MO 63118
Phone: 314-577-2626
Website:
www.budweisertours.com
Chez Leon
St. Louis diners are experiencing a new treat in traditional French cuisine when they come here. The setting is upscale-urban and the tables are well appointed with white linen and candlelight. The short menu varies daily, but frog legs, wild boar, steak frites, sweetbreads and calf livers are typical. Also to be expected are all the wonderful sauces, including hollandaise, bearnaise and veloute--Vive la France!
Chez Leon
4580 Laclede Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-1589
Coffee Cartel
Great coffees, lattes, cappuccinos and a wide variety of teas are the norm, but the real hit is the dessert counter. Seating is available both indoors and out. This place is also popular because it seems to be open practically all the time.
Coffee Cartel
2 Maryland Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-454-0000
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
The Cathedral, built between 1907 and 1909, depicts the Romanesque style of architecture on the outside and Byzantine style inside. It was designated as a basilica in 1997. Known for the stunning display of mosaic art, it took a father-and-son team nearly 80 years to complete the project that consists of 41 million pieces of tile in more than 7,000 colors. The lower level of the cathedral is the site of the Mosaic Museum.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108-2496
Phone: 314-533-0544
Fax: 314-533-2844
E-mail:
tours@cathedralstl.org
Website:
www.cathedralstl.org
Centro Modern Furnishings, LLC
It's a retail and commercial showroom that features world-class modern design in furniture, lighting and accessories. Centro is the exclusive retailer for some of the finest international manufacturers, including B&B Italia, Zanotta, Baleri Italia, Wittmann, Cappellini, Driade, Montis, Herman Miller for the Home and Vitra.
Centro Modern Furnishings, LLC
4729 McPherson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-454-0111
Fax: 314-454-0112
E-mail:
info@centro-inc.com
Website:
www.centro-inc.com
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Constructed in the Classical Revival style of architecture in 1913, this site stands as the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson. Designed by Isaac Taylor, the museum features terrazzo flooring, marble wainscoting, bronze doors and Tiffany light fixtures.
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
5700 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone: 314-746-4599
Website:
www.nps.gov/jeff/
Left Bank Books
It's the largest remaining independent bookstore in St. Louis. It stocks more than 20,000 titles, both new and used. They claim a cultural and progressive political focus and many of the owners and staff at the Left Bank are active in the community. The bookstore itself is very active--averaging 20 in-store appearances per month and maintaining a rotating exhibit of local artisans on the lower level. It's open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas and is easily a home away from home for many of its regulars. In fact, the Left Bank has always been home to a cat--Captain Nemo reigned for 15 years, while Jamaica is presently roaming the aisles.
Left Bank Books
399 N. Euclid Ave.
(in the Central West End)
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-367-6731
Fax: 314-367-3256
E-mail:
leftbank@primary.net
Website:
www.left-bank.com
Sansui Japanese Restaurant
This Japanese restaurant has a terrific atmosphere with a simple and traditional style. The top-quality sushi is super fresh and an order of omakase will get you a selection of the day's finest. Other traditional Japanese dishes are offered, too, so, if you're up for it, try grilled head of sea bream or monkfish liver! Don't bother looking for a hamburger here--this place is purely Japanese.
Sansui Japanese Restaurant
4955 W. Pine Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-367-2020
Old Courthouse Museum
The former Federal court in the city of St Louis is best remembered for the Dred Scott trials that were held here between 1847 and 1850. Many of the decisions made at that time triggered the events that led up to the Civil War.
Old Courthouse Museum
11 N. 4th St.
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: 314-655-1600
St. Louis Zoo
It's open year-round and admission is free to this educational and fun place in which visitors can learn about animals and their habitats. A few special exhibits include the insectarium, the River's Edge and the Electric Children's Zoo.
St. Louis Zoo
#1 Government Dr.
(in Forest Park)
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: 314-781-0900
Fax: 314-647-7969
Website:
www.stlzoo.org
The Vintage Room / Corkdork U.
This is the home of St Louis' "No Attitude" wine school and fine wine-and-spirits store. Within the Vintage Room you can browse amongst wonderful cheeses, gourmet chocolates, oils and vinegars, in addition to fine wines, imported and domestic beers, quality spirits and hand-rolled cigars. If you ever have any questions regarding selections, ask any of the knowledgeable and friendly staff. Corkdork U classes are informative and fun! Classes are available on topics such as "Any Port in a Storm" or "Spanish Wines and Other Great Buys."
The Vintage Room / Corkdork U.
6 S. Sarah St.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-367-9463
Website:
www.corkdork.com
Bar Italia
There's nothing shy about this place! Bright, vibrant colors cover the walls, furniture and the rest of the decor. The menu is equally bold, featuring Italian dishes with racy accents. An added bonus is the delicious Italian ice cream that's made on the premises.
Bar Italia
13 Maryland Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-361-7010
E-mail:
webmaster@baritaliastl.com
Website:
www.baritaliastl.com
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