Favorite Restaurant Dishes of the Year

Crispy Summer Vegetables—one of the many superbly prepared dishes at Little Fox.

Barbecue is as comforting as a warm hug. These succulent, slow-smoked ribs come from Pappy’s Smokehouse. Best enjoyed with a side of their famous baked beans and a cold beer.

Soup dumplings . . . from where else, but Soup Dumplings on Olive, where Private Kitchen used to be. There are several varieties, but I prefer the pork.

Couched on a side street in The Loop, Fork & Stix has some of the best Asian dishes in town.

Vegan Vegetable Parrillada with grilled pineapple, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, Portobello mushroom, asparagus, corn on the cob with chimichurri sauce. This tasty thicket of vegetable and fruit can be found at Asador del Sur on Manchester.

You can happily start any meal at Ya Ya in Chesterfield with this healthy, hearty salad.

This lunch combo is a favorite at Brio located near the Frontenac Shopping Center parking lot.

Leave room for desserts when you dine at Ben Poremba’s new “food spa,” Bar Moro on Wydown.

Your pasta button will light up with this dish from Bistro la Floraison on Wydown.

Beet Salad at Olio. (And, by all means, try the hummus—try everything!)

This traditional, hearty noodle bowl by Chef Qui Tran is a signature item at Nudo on Delmar.

There’s a heap of Italian flavors in this dish from Louie in DeMun.

Try this one at Corner 17 in the Loop or pick among their vast menu.

Anthonino’s on the Hill serves up a little bit of Italy in every dish.

The Bao restaurant is located in Clayton. These fluffy little pockets of goodness pop with flavor. 

This vegetable sandwich on ciabatta is a feat of architectural splendor. You can find it at the Westchester in Chesterfield.

Sashimi Moriawase, a 12 piece chef’s selection at Nick Bognar’s Nippon Tei. (Nick will be bringing his sushi restaurant to the Hill with the opening of Sado in Giovanni’s former space.)

Cauliflower with almonds and duck egg-lemon aioli give a new dimension to the vegetable. Find it on the menu at Akar on Wydown. It’s just one of Chef Bernie Lee’s phenomenal dishes.

From Sultan in The Grove. Truly, a feast of Mideastern goodness.

You can close your eyes and imagine you’re on the French Riviera when you dine inside, or street side, at Brasserie in the Central West End.

This complimentary pretzel bread from Cooper’s Hawk in Town & Country is not too chewy, not too soft, but just right.

Crown Candy Kitchen offers this outrageous addition to any meal. (I especially like pairing it with their chicken salad.) It’s a great midday snack to enjoy with friends or kids.