The immortal thread lives on! 12 1/2 years and counting. Keeping talking, St. Louis hounds.

Doubt it. Five Star Burger is a very different kind of place with $9 hamburgers. It's also at the other end of the downtown Clayton area. I just think times have changed. Fatted Calf had a long run.

Five doesn't get nearly enough notice on this board but is a terrific place. However, I prefer Farmhaus for creative use of local ingredients.

I concur with the Crown and Ted Drewes recommendations. Ted Drewes (not Drewe's) is not on Hampton, however. It is on Chippewa. http://www.teddrewes.com/home/default... If you see multiple lines reaching to the curb as you approach, don't despair. Waiting in line is half the experience and it takes a whole lot less time than you can imagine. You'll find yourself at the front of the line before you know it and you'll be frantically trying to make up your mind.

You probably won't want to try and do both Crown and Ted Drewes in one trip, however. I'd opt for the latter, although I love them both.

If you want to compare St. Louis barbecue to Texas style, you might want to try one of two sister restaurants: either Bogart's, in Soulard, or Pappy's, in midtown. Each is just a few minute drive from where you're staying. You might also consider Iron Barley, which has its own unique flavor. If you want something more upscale, take a look at at Niche or Farmhaus, both of which have very interesting and sophisticated takes on locally sourced food. Farmhaus is the more laid back of the two but both require reservations.

First suggestion: Post again, but this time, put the city you want recommendations for in the subject line. As for St. Louis, it would be useful to have some idea what you are looking for. How far are you willing to venture from downtown? What kind of cuisine are you seeking? Do you want lunch, dinner, breakfast? Are you concerned about cost? Dietary restrictions? People are pretty responsive on this board if they see their city in the subject line.

Never been, but if you go, be sure to be aware that this town is pronounced "Byoo-fert" and definitely not in the French manner.

What FotD said. Pastaria's food is terrific and the place is definitely kid-friendly, if a little loud. No reservations here. Try the kale salad and the pistachio ravioli.

Unfortunately, all of these responses came too late but I'll save this discussion for the next trip down that way.

I'm sure glad you posted this because I had all but given up trying to find the discussion I had "saved." Could they have made this any more challenging?

Onesto and Mad Tomato are both good and run by the same guy.

Asking the best place to get BBQ in Kansas City is akin to asking the best way to get the federal budget under control. I guarantee many disparate opinions and a good deal of passion. You should check all of the previous discussions on this board (and there have been many). My personal favorite: Oklahoma Joe's.

Thanks. We're willing to drive a bit so I'm open to options that are not necessarily close to Weston.

I've had very little experience in South Florida and the neighborhood names mean nothing to me but I will be staying in Weston for a long weekend in mid-February and am looking for a few recommendations for lunch and dinner. My wife is a vegetarian but I am an omnivore so it would be nice to find places that will accommodate her needs without stifling mine. Ethnic, particularly Cuban, would be welcome, since you don't find Cuban in my part of the Midwest. Coming, as I do, from the middle of the country, I also want to have the best seafood experiences possible. Thanks.

I'm hoping you're not referring to my ever-expanding waistband, ddfry3!

It's actually not the former Shu Feng, as Shu Feng is still there. I went to Asian Kitchen last week. Still very good.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to catch a baseball game on those dates because the team will be in Milwaukee, which is definitely not on Route 66. (http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com) Many on this board would say that Imo's Pizza is "authentic." Many of the rest of us would say it is "authentic cardboard" but it's all a matter of taste. Philly cheese steaks are, as stated previously, best left to those living in Philadelphia. Here you'll want to try a few things that you won't generally find elsewhere, such as toasted ravioli (Trattoria Marcella or Charlie Gittos'), gooey butter cake (Gooey Looie); thin crust pizza (Cafe Manhattan). You would also do well to get some barbecue either at Bogart's or at Pappy's (same owners). Hope that helps.

Try Asian Kitchen, at 8423 Olive Blvd, the former Shu Feng location.

Vince is a fixture. He never fails to greet everyone.

Your best bet would be to go to one of the local roasting companies: Northwest, Kaldi, Shaw's, etc.

My wife has a deep and abiding love affair with this restaurant and always orders the Lobster Albanello. If you like great service, tableside preparation, and substantial quantities of butter, you can't go wrong here.

Mmmmm....The Vine. Excellent, fresh-tasting food. Great baba ganoush.

Based upon your obvious love of cocktails, you should definitely make a trip to Sanctuaria next time. I don't love the food but the cocktails are creative, plentiful, thoughtful, and first rate and the place has a great feel and look. http://sanctuariastl.com/

Love to get these kinds of reports. (And give my regards to my hometown of Shaker Heights, if you don't mind. I've lived in STL for 36 years now.)

On my one visit there I had a meal (some overcooked fish, as I recall) that was thoroughly second rate at a price that they should be ashamed to charge. Too many good restaurants in KC to make a return visit there part of any future itinerary.

The Salad Bowl closed in 2005. I believe the fire that just took place was in an apartment building on the site of the Salad Bowl but not the original building, although I could be mistaken. Here's some more info: http://livingstlouis.wordpress.com/20...

Have your bbq in Kansas City and go to Oklahoma Joe's. As for your lunch in St. Louis, you could also do bbq and be happy, either at Bogart's or Pappy's, both of which are reasonably close to the highway and the Arch (within 10 minutes). On the other hand, you might want to try Crown Candy, around 5 minutes from the Arch, which has incredible, authentic old-timey ambience (the place dates back to 1913), terrific malts, and a very serious BLT.

Fozzies! Now there's a place that deserves greater attention on this site. Every sandwich is beautifully done. The only issue there is seating--a lot of it is outdoors, which is challenging this summer, when most of us will acknowledge that a name change from St. Louis to Hell on the Mississippi is in order. They do a big carry-out business.

I like Tap Room for kids and for adults. Good food, good service, great beer, no reservations.

Just returned from my second lunch at the new location. If you like the characteristic Szechuan flavors (at least as far as this nice Jewish boy understands them), you'll love this place. I've had the pork dan dan noodles and the spicy noodles as well as the fried "chilly" pepper. All are terrific. I didn't care as much for the pickled vegetables, which were a bit too reminiscent of sauerkraut for my taste. Someone should point out to them that whoever painted the sign on their window decided to save on paint by spelling their name "Szchuan." I also wouldn't mind if they turned off their big-screen tv, which plays some bizarre Chinese variety show where the participants appear to enjoy dressing like elves.