Which Pizza Pie Takes the Cake?

This week, we compare pizza from three West County restaurants.

Pizza is versatile and ubiquitous, seen in many restaurants in West County. It is versatile because it can have a variety of crusts, sauces, toppings and cheeses. Some like the Chicago deep dish or St. Louis-style thin crust with provel cheese, and others swear by New York-style pizza with a thick foldable crust and real mozzarella cheese. East Coast Pizza 17304 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Chesterfield As a New Yorker, walking into East Coast Pizza was like walking into a pizza shop at home. The red pepper flakes on the table and the garlic powder reminded me of going to eat pizza with my dad. The crust was crisp and flavorful, but foldable. There is something about the brick they cook it on that makes this pizza special. The sauce, …

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Gayle Grabish

5:40 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2011

I agree, Faracci's & Fortel's (I go to the one at Clayton & Kehr's Mill) are outstanding. Also, there is a new pizza restaurant in Ballwin, Pizza Pizza on Manchester Rd. They just had a write up in West News Magazine where it mentioned that they are now offering Pide (a Turkish-style pizza). Sounded good; will have to head back there soon to try this.   more ›

Food Fight!

Who Is The Big Cheese?

This week, we compare cheeseburgers from three West County restaurants.

The idea of a cheeseburger makes most carnivores crave the juicy sandwich. However, not all burgers are created equal. The bun, toppings, ground beef, types of cheeses and seasonings can be the difference between a mushy, flavorless bun and thin bland meat patty or a bun with structure, some sesame seeds and a well-seasoned, juicy beef burger. The toppings and cheeses are a matter of personal preference, but freshness, balance and generous servings can improve the burger tenfold. Christy's Hamburgers: 14560 Manchester Rd., Ballwin The bright red walls, florescent lights and almost too eager counter girls were a little overbearing. Walking toward the counter, a feeling of trepidation seeped in. Dare I say it? An overwhelming odor of spoiled…

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Food Fight!

One Crab Rangoon Creams the Competition

In this week's "Food Fight!" we compare crab rangoon from three West County restaurants.

Crab rangoon are deep-fried dumplings stuffed with a combination of cream cheese; flaked, canned or imitation crab meat; and scallions. The filling is wrapped in Chinese wonton wrappers, then deep fried in oil. The key to making great crab rangoon is having the right proportion of filling to wrapper and cooking them to order. This keeps the wrapper crispy and fresh and the filling smooth and creamy. Hot Wok Cafe: 14346 S Outer 40 Rd., Chesterfield This busy neighborhood restaurant is a throwback to the '80s, with red décor and lacquered furniture. Our server was somewhat knowledgeable, but not particularly happy to be there. The square plates were modern, and the food was placed in an aesthetically pleasing way, though some soup had …

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Food Fight!

Holy Guacamole: Which West County Restaurant Has the Best?

In this week's "Food Fight!" we compare guacamole from three Mexican restaurants.

Guacamole is a very simple dish with fresh ingredients: avocados, tomatoes, onions, chilies, cilantro and lime seasoned with salt and pepper. It is the quality and balance of ingredients that make a great guacamole. Some people love it and are passionately drawn to the creamy avocado with the tang of lime and heat of chilies. Others have an aversion to the pistachio green color, the exotic avocado or the cilantro. In fact, recent studies indicate certain people may be genetically predisposed to not like cilantro; Harold McGee wrote about it in the New York Times last year. If you don't know if you like cilantro, guacamole provides a great opportunity to find out. Señor Pique: 14424 Manchester Rd., Ballwin Señor Pique is an authentic family…

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Dawn A. Baggett

10:05 pm on Thursday, July 14, 2011

Haven't been to El Señor Pique but it sounds yummy! It's on my list for the next Ladies' Night. If you want good, hearty Mexican food.....and six different salsas, try La Salsa on Olive Street, across from Heritage Place Shopping Center. The burritos are 8 inches long and require a two-handed grip.   more ›

The Pepper Mill

Chesterfield's Barbecue Joint Is Smokin' Hot

PM BBQ is gaining attention with their expertly smoked brisket, pork and chicken.

St. Louis is not a barbecue town, at least not like the barbecue powerhouses of Memphis, Kansas City and the Carolinas. We have barbecue joints of course, and some of them are quite good, but none have elicited a public fervor for the sweet science of the pit. PM BBQ in Chesterfield just may change that. Opened in late 2010 and located at 103 Chesterfield Towne Center, PM BBQ's first impression happens before you even open the door: the rich aroma of hickory smoke permeates the senses in the parking lot. It's an unpretentious place, tucked into a small storefront between Wild Horse Grill and El Maguey. The interior is welcoming with wood tones and awards and plaques above the soda fountain in the corner. Food is ordered at the counter, …

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The Pepper Mill

Review: 'Picasso's Bistro' Adds Fresh Flavor To Chesterfield Restaurant Scene

Chef and owner Dr. Melda Dolan creates dining art with fresh ingredients and complex flavors.

Picasso's Bistro now occupies the space of the defunct Trattoria Branica, but the sign outside the restaurant has yet to be changed. Inside, though, a major transformation has taken place. And a new sign patiently waits for St. Louis County to grant its approval to hang it, which should happen next week. Then all will be well in restaurant land. I've already written about Picasso's Bistro. Around the time the restaurant opened, I found out two things diners should know. Owner and creator of the cuisine—Melda Dolan—is a teaching cardiologist and she is concerned about your health. The second thing is to forget about that fact; Dolan's also concerned about flavor. And Picasso's offers what diners want. The Italian/Mediterranean menu features…

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Editor's Notebook

The Week That Was: Campfire Burgers, Safe Places and Lots of Basketball

A weekly roundup of the top stories on Chesterfield Patch for Nov. 29 to Dec. 5.

Chesterfield Patch celebrated its one-month anniversary this week! We're incredibly grateful to our readers so far and excited to keep growing. If you're new to Patch, or still exploring just what this little corner of the Web is all about, check out 13 ways you can use the site. Here's what we've been up to this week:

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The Pepper Mill

Review: Fin Japanese Cuisine Swims to the Surface

Colorful presentations, fresh ingredients and relaxation are on the menu.

Fin Japanese Cuisine is unassuming on the outside—sandwiched in a strip mall between Kreiger's and Chipotle Grill—but manages to tempt diners to enter with individual lights at each table barely visible from the walk. The softly lit restaurant with tables neatly aligned and a sushi bar along a rough stone wall is calming. Fin is a new full-service Japanese restaurant serving a variety of seafood, beef, pork and chicken dishes, plus appetizers, noodle soups, salads, bento boxes and desserts. But I was here for the sushi and asked to sit across from the sushi chefs. I ordered a Kirin Iciban Beer ($3.50) and asked for Gyoza (fried ground chicken pot stickers, $4.95) so I could try one item from the kitchen. I can't resist them, and these were…

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