A Day in Forest Park

True to its name, the Panorama restaurant offers a panoramic view of Forest Park from inside the St. Louis Art Museum. (Upper left ): The city’s namesake, Louis IX, sits astride his horse overlooking Art Hill.

Forest Park: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

If you’re of a mind to, you can spend much of a day in Forest Park. And that’s what my friend, Lucy, and I did this past weekend. It started with the historic art museum. During my visit, I picked up my annual members’ gift. It’s most often a spiffy umbrella or tote bag. But this year the choice was between an umbrella and a set of coasters. I went with the umbrella, since I lose them with great regularity. Totes and coasters accumulate; umbrellas disappear.

Lunch in the Park

Feeling a bit peckish from all the walkin’ and gawkin’, we sought out the Panorama restaurant on the first floor of the museum. The tasteful space is filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling window-wall.

The area is further enhanced by beautifully appointed tables and an appealing menu, modestly priced. I could have stayed there all day, but the dining room closes mid-afternoon.

Entrance

The Reuben Tempeh sandwich is served on seeded rye, with Swiss cheese, kraut, and 1000 Island dressing.

I was intrigued by the “fake” Reuben. The tempeh concoction (pronounced: tem-pay), that replaced the usual pastrami, or corn beef, is made from a soybean mixture infused with beet juice. The color and texture were pretty convincing and the “meat” as good as any vegan sandwich I’ve had. Next time, though, I will ask for more sauerkraut.

The clerks in the gift shop raved about the cauliflower steak at Panorama. So it was disappointing to find the restaurant had just served their last one for the day. We went with the roasted Brussels sprouts instead.

Lucy and I split both the vegan Reuben Tempeh and the Blueberry Bread Pudding. The crème anglaise sauce was so good, I was tempted to ask for a straw, so I could finish every last drop.

A Stroll in the Park

A walk in front of the museum is like a stroll through a Monet garden.

An Evening in the Park

With more than 1,300 acres, Forest Park is larger than Central Park in New York City. In this photo, hundreds of people spread out on the hillside to watch the annual performance of Shakespeare in the Park. This year the play is Much to Do About Nothing, one of my favorite Shakespearean comedies.