Kate Gallagher | Student Life

Walking through the door, I felt like I had stepped into a real Irish pub. There were Irish flags hanging from the ceiling, televisions showing a soccer game, the sound of an Irish jig playing softly in the background and, of course, a vast drink menu. The Dubliner is one of the few places in St. Louis where I’ve been able to find one of my favorite drinks, which I first tasted when I studied abroad in the United Kingdom: Magner’s, a hard Irish cider with the subtle sweetness of apples and the bitterness of tannins. The Dubliner offers plenty of other special drink options as well, including the Black Velvet (Guinness and champagne), the Irish Car Bomb (Guinness and Bailey’s), the Snake Bite (harp and cider) and Irish Coffee (coffee with whiskey, cream and sugar).

Kate Gallagher | Student Life

We waited and waited for our entrées to arrive. We waited so long, in fact, that our waitress apologized and explained that there was a party of 40 in a backroom. But his excuse wasn’t satisfying for me. For one, the rest of the restaurant was practically empty. Second, she knew it was my birthday, so I felt that better service was required for the occasion.

Kate Gallagher | Student Life

Meanwhile, my friends sampled several other entrées, including the shepherd’s pie, the chicken pot pie, the pumpkin ravioli and the chopped salad. The shepherd’s pie was a large steaming bowl of ground lamb and diced vegetables topped with mashed potatoes. The chicken pot pie consisted of a pastry topping, chicken and peas in a creamy sauce. While my friends were satisfied with these entrées, I thought the dishes were rather bland.

The pumpkin ravioli, on the other hand, was tossed in a rich, creamy sauce with subtle flavors of pumpkin spice. While this entrée was flavorful, the portion was very tiny. Finally, the chopped salad included mixed greens, roasted vegetables and goat cheese topped with balsamic vinaigrette. After puzzling over the other vegetables, we finally decided that they included sweet potatoes, parsnips and rutabagas.

Kate Gallagher | Student Life

When the waitress gave me my bill she informed me that my dessert was on the house since it was my birthday. Though it was certainly a nice gesture, I would have preferred an Irish jig performed by the entire staff.

Soft tacos from Canyon Cafe (Katt Gallagher | Student Life)

While sitting in a lively restaurant and staring at a beautiful landscape painting, I asked my friend, “Is that the Grand Canyon?” She looked at me like I was an idiot. Oh wait, stupid question. I was sitting at Canyon Cafe.

Canyon Cafe serves tasty, well-presented cuisine inspired by the American Southwest. Located in Plaza Frontenac, the café is a short drive from campus. Whether you plan to head to Plaza Frontenac to do a little shopping or to see a movie, your visit will be made extra special by taking a seat at this Southwest-inspired eatery.

On a recent Saturday night, the restaurant was packed. I must admit that my friend and I were just about the only college-aged people I noticed in the restaurant. With some exceptions, the majority of the other diners looked like they were either over 50 or under 4. At first, I thought this might be related to the cost of the food, but I was happy to discover that the prices were relatively reasonable. (My dinner was $12.50 before the tip. My friend’s meal was more expensive: Her salmon entrée was one of the most expensive on the menu and was priced at $14.95.) So as long as you don’t mind being surrounded by some older folks or their adorable grandchildren, it’s totally worth a visit. Another alternative would be to take a seat at Canyon Cafe’s bar. The bar was occupied by some younger people and boasts the best margaritas in St. Louis.

Once my friend and I took our seats, we were provided with a large bowl of multicolored chips and salsa. But these weren’t just any chips and salsa; they were arguably the best chips and salsa I’ve ever eaten. Before even trying the chips, I was impressed by their bright orange and navy colors. In addition to tortilla chips, some sweet potato chips were sprinkled in the mix along with a few amazingly flavorful, sweet and spicy, savory fried chips. My only complaint is that there weren’t more. The salsa was made with chunks of fresh tomato mixed with a blend of spices, creating a unique and spicy complement to the chips. To combat the heat of our chips and salsa, our waiter was quite diligent about refilling our glasses of water.

For the entrée, I ordered Canyon Cafe’s Margarita Soft Tacos. Two large, artfully presented tacos were served on a plate along with rice and an orange tortilla cup filled with black beans, which were garnished with cotija, a crumbly Mexican cheese with a flavor similar to Greek feta but less salty. The outer shell of the tacos was a white flour tortilla, and the inner shell was a more crunchy corn tortilla. The tortillas were attached by a light layer of cheese. A generous array of lightly battered shrimp and crisp slaw filled the taco shells. The tacos were topped off with a delicious spicy sauce. The combination of the flour and corn tortillas along with the tasty sauce made these tacos exceptional. My only complaint is that they were difficult to eat; they were too overstuffed to pick up, and the crunchy inner shell made them tricky to cut.

Meanwhile, my friend ordered the Applewood Smoked Pecan Salmon. Though I only had a bite or two of her dish, I had enough to know that it was delicious. The star of this entrée was the side of sweet potatoes. Perfectly cooked, the mashed sweet potatoes had a rich flavor with just a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar. The salmon was also cooked to perfection and had a light, smoky flavor that complemented the sweetness of the pecans tossed on top. Although it was beautifully presented, there was one small problem with this dish: The “sautéed” spinach atop the salmon looked more like barely cooked leaves.

After our meal, we were presented with two complimentary white chocolate-filled tamales.The tangy white chocolate was a sweet way to conclude a satisfying meal full of bright colors and bold flavors. If you want a bit of heat and Southwestern sunshine to brighten up your cold, dark February evenings, be sure to drop by Canyon Cafe. When you see that beautiful landscape hanging on the wall, impress your friends by saying, “Look! That’s the Grand Canyon!” And if your astute observation fails to impress them, no worries; they will be blown away once the chips and salsa arrive.

Bobo Noodle House offers delicious food in a trendy place reminiscent of New York City restaurants. (Matt Mitgang | Student Life)

Rating: 3.5/5 stars
278 N. Skinker Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130

Bobo Noodle House is the perfect solution for the hungry Washington University student who is in the mood for a special meal but not willing to brave the cold for too long. The 1-year-old restaurant is located about as close to campus as you can get—right next to Kayak’s Coffee. Bobo is small but has a hip atmosphere and serves up some tasty Southeast Asian fare. The menu includes appetizers, salads, pho (a noodle soup), sides and, of course, noodles! In addition, Bobo offers desserts and a full selection of beer, wine and sake.

Upon entering the noodle house, I felt for a moment like I’d been transported to New York City. I found myself admiring the tiny, trendy space, with its dim lighting and paper chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and an eclectic mix of edgy music playing in the background.

At Bobo, food is ordered as soon as you walk in. Appetizers at Bobo include spring rolls (both vegetarian and pork are available), Asian barbecued spare ribs, and a shrimp summer roll. My friend and I decided to try the summer roll. In addition, we ordered the vegetable dumpling, pho, and the “ginger pork with gailon and egg noodles.”

The shrimp summer roll was perfect for sharing because we were served two large rolls. They came out promptly after we were seated, which surprised and impressed me. The rolls were presented on a clean white rectangular plate. A thin, translucent casing covered a filling of thin vermicelli noodles, basil, shrimp and lemongrass. The roll was garnished with slices of carrot. While the roll was attractive and fresh, my two main complaints were that it was impossible to eat with chopsticks and tasted bland. Luckily, both of these issues were easily resolved. I set the chopsticks aside and ate the roll by simply tearing it apart with my hands. The blandness was quickly fixed by dousing the roll in the spicy chili sauce that accompanied it.

For my main dish, I tried the ginger pork with gailon and egg noodles. The generous serving consisted of tender pieces of pork and a wide variety of colorful vegetables: red and green peppers, sliced carrots, onions and leeks topped with basil. I debated with my friend about the broccoli-like vegetable that was in my dish: Was it bok choy or brocollini? It turns out it was gailon. (Hence the name “ginger pork with gailon.”) Apparently gailon means Chinese broccoli. The sauce in this dish initially seemed mild, but progressive mouthfuls indicated that it had a substantial kick accentuated by chili flavors. While I found the dish quite delicious, I needed to take frequent gulps of my water to turn down the heat, so I wouldn’t recommend this entrée to those who can’t tolerate spicy foods.

For those who would be less inclined to try my pork dish, whether due to vegetarianism or spice intolerance, I’d recommend the other dish we sampled that evening—the vegetable dumpling pho. This dish was served in a wide bowl and consisted of a light broth with firm, vegetable-filled dumplings. The pho also included tofu and scallions. My friend said the tofu was some of the best tofu she has ever had. It was not too soggy or soft but instead had a nice, firm consistency around the outside. While I found the pho a bit bland for my tastes, a dish of chili sauce was offered on the side to compensate.

To finish, my friend and I ordered the chocolate coconut ice cream sandwich, and I must say that this was the highlight of the evening. Creamy coconut ice cream with a sweet and subtle flavor was sandwiched between two moist double chocolate chip cookies. To die for.

I left Bobo Noodle House with a full stomach (the portions are huge) and a smile on my face. I must admit, though, that I also left feeling a bit perplexed. The idea of ordering at a counter seemed odd to me at a restaurant with such a fancy, hip feel. While the service was excellent, I left wondering if I was meant to leave a tip. As I walked out the door, I handed the girl at the counter a couple of bucks. The neutral expression on her face left the mystery unsolved.

Now that I’m 21, I can finally legally review a restaurant with a name like “The Drunken Fish.” I’d feel a little silly only discussing the fish. The Drunken Fish is a classy sushi restaurant and lounge with two locations near campus: one in the Central West End and another at Laclede’s Landing. I visited the one in the Central West End, which was lively on a weekend evening.

Red- and black-colored walls and dim lighting provided by small candles on the hardwood tables added to the sleek and stylish feel, while the friendly waitstaff accentuated the restaurant’s pleasant vibe. The Drunken Fish has an extensive, almost overwhelming menu, with plenty of sushi options, as well as dinner dishes, desserts and cocktails.

I first tried two appetizers: gyoza and seaweed salad. The gyoza, essentially the Japanese version of Chinese potstickers, consisted of several small, soft, fried dumplings stuffed with pork and vegetables, with soy sauce served on the side. They were not out-of-this-world delicious but were flavorful and filling.

Meanwhile, I was quite uncertain about the seaweed salad, but one of my friends urged me to try it. As I placed the thin green strands of seaweed in my mouth, I expected to taste a fishy string of slime. Instead, I swallowed delicious soy-flavored, salty and sweet (though admittedly slimy) threads of goodness.

The sushi, like the gyoza, was tasty but not amazing. It arrived on long white plates with wasabi and ginger. I sampled the shrimp tempura roll, which consisted of five pieces of sushi with fried pieces of shrimp, asparagus, masago (a bright orange variety of fish roe) and Japanese mayo. I also tried the spider roll, which consisted of eight pieces of sushi, including fried soft-shell crab, asparagus, masago and Japanese mayo. Both rolls were good, but I felt they skimped a bit on the actual shrimp and crab, and the sauce could have had more of a kick. I would recommend the spider roll over the shrimp tempura roll—you get more sushi, and the crab offers a sweeter, more exciting flavor than the shrimp.

The Drunken Fish also offers plenty of alternatives for those not too keen on sushi, including chicken teriyaki, pan-seared scallops and vegetable tempura, as well as various noodle and soup dishes. For those willing to pay extra, the restaurant prepares such intriguing entrées as tempura-fried lobster and filet mignon teriyaki.

Moving to the “drunken” side of the menu, the restaurant’s cocktail list boasts plenty of exciting options, from the Sake Waterfall (sake, vodka, watermelon Schnapps and lime served chilled) to the Blue Eyed Asian (Blue Curacao, coconut, melon and a splash of orange juice) to the Key Lime Pie Martini (Stoli Vanil, coconut rum, melon and a splash of sour orange juice, cream, lime and syrup). The Drunken Fish also serves an array of beers, wines and house sakes.

I had to try what was perhaps the most intriguing option: The Drunken Fishbowl. This enormous glass bowl, like a wine glass on steroids, was filled with a reddish, purplish mix of rum, vodka, melon and amaretto flavors with cranberry juice. Wedges of fresh orange and pineapple decorated the rim, while ice cubes, maraschino cherries and more pieces of orange and pineapple floated within. Once it was confirmed that no one in the party had swine flu, the hefty bowl was passed around. Three people in our group proclaimed that the Fishbowl was gross and tasted like cough syrup. Another friend said she thought it was great. Finally, it was my turn. I took the thin black straw to my lips and felt the alcohol-infused liquid rush through my mouth. I actually agreed with everyone: While it did vaguely taste like cough syrup, it was also delicious, providing a sweet and fruity flavor with strong alcoholic undertones.

Obviously, though, the goodness of this drink depends on personal preference. The only problem was that this gigantic glass full of alcohol was initially ordered for six people, and now only two were attempting to consume it. I was going to say, “Don’t try this at home,” but we weren’t at home—we were at The Drunken Fish, and what better place is there to drink a Drunken Fishbowl? My only recommendation is that if you do decide to take the plunge into the Fishbowl with a friend, consider just ordering the regular size ($8) rather than the large ($18). This will save you a little time, money and maybe some self-respect.

So whether you’re ordering a glass of floating fruit and rum or simply a glass of water, fun times are sure to be had by all at this chic sushi establishment. Be sure to check out their new extended happy hour with half-price non-signature rolls and half-price signature martinis from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 p.m. to midnight on Sundays. Just watch out before you decide to dive into any deep “drunken” fishbowls!

Well, it was their loss. If they had asked, I would have told them about England’s amazing Indian cuisine and the fact that I may have become obsessed with a dish called chana masala.

Inevitably, my first food review back at Wash. U. brought me to a restaurant called House of India. I decided to go out to eat with my vegetarian friend on a Sunday. It just so happens that House of India is indeed one of the only restaurants nearby that is both vegetarian and open on Sundays. (Aside from one restaurant I discovered, which is apparently run by a cult. I decided against that one.)

The restaurant had a bright and pleasant interior. Booths lined the walls, and tables with white cloths graced the center of the room. Rose and light green curtains hung around the windows, which surrounded the dining room. Matching lights hung over the booths. Upbeat Indian music played at an appropriate volume in the background.

Now on to what you really care about: the food. Every day from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., House of India holds a lunch buffet. Classic Indian dishes are offered in addition to a few unique ones you may not have tried before. They serve chicken tikka masala, chana masala, alu gobi, vegetable korma…the list goes on. The buffet was a pretty good deal, too. Without any fancy drinks (we just drank the free water), the whole buffet, which included dessert, cost $8.75 per person.

One of the first dishes I tried, and a favorite among my friends, was a corn salad, which consisted of kernels of corn, cucumbers, tomatoes and red onions. The salad was a refreshing, cool complement to some of the hot and spicy dishes. Another tasty, cool salad called chane-ki-chaat was made with chickpeas, potatoes, chopped cucumber and onions in a mild mint and yogurt sauce.

The warm dishes were all quite good. My favorite was probably the vegetable korma, which was made up of mixed vegetables, including diced potatoes, peas and cauliflower, in a mild curry cream sauce. The chicken tikka masala was also a hit with its tender pieces of roasted chicken breast in a creamy tomato sauce. The alu gobi was another vegetarian masterpiece, made with cauliflower, potatoes, onions and fresh tomatoes.

We also enjoyed the paneer makhni, which was both savory and satisfying. Paneer is a type of cheese made in India and has a texture comparable to tofu. The cheese was sliced into bite-sized squares and mixed in a creamy, buttery tomato sauce. The sauce was outstanding over a bed of white rice. And last but not least, they did indeed serve my beloved chana masala. This chana masala was less sweet than the one I had in England, but it was still quite good. It consisted of steamed chickpeas mixed in a sauce of fresh tomatoes and onions with a hint of ginger and garlic.

After the feast, my friends and I took a breather and then made our way back to the buffet table to try the desserts. A variety of unique options were available. I tried one called jalebi. This bright orange, deep-fried treat was shaped similarly to a pretzel and was about the size of the palm of my hand. It had a crunchy texture and sweet, sugary flavor. My friends remarked that it reminded them of funnel cake, though crunchier but just as delicious.

So whether you’re craving Indian cuisine, have a vegetarian diet or are simply looking for something fun and different to do for lunch, check out the House of India. You certainly won’t leave disappointed, and you most definitely won’t leave with an empty stomach.

8501 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63124
4/5 stars

As finals begin to take over our lives, what better way to kick back and relax than to head off campus to enjoy a quality, moderately-priced meal in a warm, comfortable neighborhood café? Newly opened this year, Katie’s Pizzeria, with its delicious pizza and dessert options, along with its cozy dining room, offers the frenzied student some much-needed respite.

Located right across from Schnucks, the pizzeria was not hard to find. My friends and I were seated at a round, hardwood table, which had a vase of fresh flowers placed on it—a nice touch, especially on a cold, dark night. We listened to the music playing softly in the background and felt at ease in the rustic, convivial atmosphere. Soon after we were seated, we were greeted by our waitress.

Katie’s Pizzeria offers appetizers, salads, desserts and, you guessed it, pizza.

Appetizers include such unique options as gorgonzola and artichoke toasted ravioli served with pesto dipping sauce, Tuscan shrimp with kalamata olives, shaved fennel, clementines and pistachios and proscuitto spring rolls. Salads include an intriguing fried artichoke served with goat cheese and pistachios, a grilled tuna niçoise salad, a roasted beet salad and more. The restaurant also has a full bar, which serves wine, beer and cocktails.

The pizzeria offers 10 different types of pizza, each served on a thin, crisp crust. My friends and I sampled three: the Margherita, the Quattro Formaggio and the Sausage. The 12-inch pizzas are sliced into six medium-sized pieces. This was plenty of food for three relatively-small, moderately-hungry young women. Of course, we also had to make sure to leave room for dessert.

The Margherita pizza consisted of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. There was no sauce. The pizza tasted exceptionally fresh. However, I did not find it particularly exciting.

The sausage pizza included fennel sausage, leeks, fontina cheese and pine nuts. Indeed, I was the only one able to eat this pizza since one of my friends is allergic to pine nuts and the other friend is going through a “no red meat” phase. So the more for me, I thought. I don’t think I’ve ever had leeks on my pizza before, nor have I ever eaten fennel sausage, but fortunately this pizza turned out to be quite satisfying. The red sauce was subtly spicy and the sausage was crumbled generously atop the pizza. The leeks had a mild, onion-like taste that complemented the pizza’s savory, nutty flavors.

And finally, there was the Quattro Formaggio. How boring, I thought: a simple cheese pizza. Couldn’t my friends pick one of the crazier options, like the pizza with potatoes, parsnips and pancetta? But, my need for gastronomic adventure was unjustified. In fact, the Quattro Formaggio ended up being our favorite pizza of the night. Like the sausage pizza, it had a red sauce, but this sauce was less spicy, providing a tasty and traditional flavor. The pizza was topped with—you guessed it again—four cheeses. These included a generous amount of mozzarella, ricotta salata, fontina and gorgonzola. Now I swear every single time I’ve gone out to eat lately, whether I’m doing a review or not, ricotta salata is somewhere on the menu. And inevitably, my friends and family ask me what it is. Sadly, I do not actually know what ricotta salata is, but, unwilling to ruin my newly-acquired reputation as an all-knowing foodie, I attempt to provide a description of standard ricotta cheese and then, upon further questioning, in a painfully honest fashion, later admit that I don’t really know what I’m talking about. So I finally broke down and looked up the real definition. According to CurdNerds.com: the cheese blog—yes, this seriously exists—Ricotta Salata means “salted ricotta” and is made from sheep’s milk. Well, that wasn’t so complicated now, was it?

Now that that mystery has been solved, let’s move on to dessert. Katie’s Pizzeria offers three desserts: gelato, cheesecake and carrot cake. My friend and I opted to share the carrot cake, and boy, I’m glad we did. This cake was the shining star of the evening. The large slice of cake was centered on a long white platter drizzled with chocolate sauce and decorated with fresh strawberries and blackberries. It was topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. My friend and I agreed that I should simply describe it as ridiculously good.

As we got ready to leave the restaurant, I awkwardly said hello to two other friends who happened to be on a date at the pizzeria that same night. One of them had a beautiful pizza adorned with a generous amount of large shrimp. Her date had a pizza topped with asparagus and prosciutto. Their pizzas looked so delicious that I realized that I would have to return to Katie’s to try more.

So if you can, take some time out from your studies to eat some delicious pizza and relax in cozy Katie’s Pizzeria. Order the Quattro Frommagio, impress your friends with your knowledge of ricotta salata and don’t forget to leave room for dessert!

*Dear Kate’s Adoring Fans – a.k.a. Mom and Dad: This is her last food review for the year since she’ll be abroad next semester. She wishes Wash. U. well and hopes that she’ll be able to find decent restaurants in England. She will see you next year!

When I told my suitemates that I’d never eaten Chicago-style pizza before, they flipped out. “You’ve never had Chicago-style pizza before?! Did you grow up in a remote cave?” No, I just grew up in Ohio. Jeez. The next question I asked, of course, was where I could find Chicago-style pizza in St. Louis. “We’ll go to Pi!” they exclaimed, and that was the beginning of my love affair with the new pizza place located on the Loop.

With its specialty Chicago-style pizza and eco-chic atmosphere, Pi is not your typical St. Louis pizzeria. Waiters serve deep-dish cornmeal crust pizza, sporting shirts that say “Green is the new black.” Pizza boxes have the recycling symbol on them, and organic drinks are offered.

When we arrived at Pi on a Saturday night around 7 p.m., it was hopping. The tables on the patio were full of patrons sharing large pans of pizza. To our dismay, the host told us that there would be a 30 to 45-minute wait for a table. While we waited, I took in the atmosphere, noting the busy bar area, the hardwood floors and the white walls with black polka dots.

We were finally seated in a dining area away from the bar. It was still quite noisy, which I suppose was a testament to Pi’s popularity. Our table was hardwood with no cloth, adding to the restaurant’s casual feel. I sat on a wooden chair while my friends sat on a green wooden bench. The walls were painted a buttery yellow, and our napkins were checkered red and white. While this may seem like a strange hodgepodge of colors and designs, it really worked well, creating a hip, happy and vibrant atmosphere. Our waiter arrived quickly and took our drink orders. I decided to try the special organic iced tea. This unsweetened iced tea had a nice hint of mango flavor, but it was too bitter for me and no sugar was provided. Fortunately when I told the waiter I needed sugar, he rushed to get it for me.

Once our waiter explained that the pi’tites are an appetizer, we decided that we had to have them. The six pi’tites arrived on a long white plate. These delicious round morsels were made of fontina cheese blended with prosciutto and rolled in bread crumbs. Once I cut into them, the soft, creamy cheese spilled out. Dipped in a red marinara sauce, the pi’tites had a slightly smoky flavor with a hint of rosemary. What really made this appetizer stand out was the mix of textures between the crunchy bread crumb outer layer and the creamy cheese inside. Need another reason to order the pi’tites? The waiter assured us that they’re baked not fried, so they not only taste a lot better than Bear’s Den mozzarella sticks, they’re actually better for you too.

After we had finished our pi’tites, the pizzas arrived. At Pi, you have several different options in your pizza selection. They offer eight different specialty pizzas—four deep-dish style and four thin-crust style. You can order either a large or small size. You also have the option of creating your own pizza.

We decided to try the “western addition,” “south side classico” and the “Lincoln Park.” My personal favorite was the western addition. This pizza consisted of mozzarella, ricotta and feta cheese blended with spinach, mushrooms, onions and garlic. All of the ingredients tasted extra fresh. In case you’re not familiar with Chicago-style pizza, let me explain that the cheese was on the bottom and the sauce was on the top. The deep red sauce consisted of chunks of tomato and was neither too sweet nor too sour. The pizza was packed with spinach, and the ricotta cheese offered a creamy texture, complementing the unique, gritty yet satisfying texture of the cornmeal crust. The garlic flavor was recognizable yet subtle.

The south side classico pizza was also a deep-dish specialty, which consisted of mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, green bell peppers, onions and the same fresh tomato sauce. This one was not quite as exciting as the western addition in my opinion, but it was still a very good, savory pizza. The thin-crust “Lincoln Park” had a completely different feel than the other two pizzas. It was very light with a crunchy crust and no sauce at all. It was topped with mozzarella, garlic olive oil, zucchini, fresh tomato slices, feta and fresh basil. The “Lincoln Park” was a nice complement to our heavier deep-dish pizzas and would be a wonderful choice on a hot day.

After all that pizza you’d think that we’d be ready to go home, but we couldn’t leave Pi without trying dessert. Guess what it was? That’s right—the only dessert Pi offers is pie. Made with the same cornmeal crust, they offer an apple pie as well as a seasonal pie. We decided to try the current seasonal pie, a peach pie. It was topped with a lattice crust and accompanied by creamy cinnamon ice cream. My suitemate and I are still debating whether the ice cream was better than the pie; it’s a close call.

All in all, we had a great night at Pi. I can safely say that the pizza was delicious. In fact, I had some of the leftovers for breakfast this morning. Is that weird? Maybe, but the pizza was just that good! So next time someone asks you about Pi, don’t start reciting digits. Instead, wisely reply, “Ah, yes it’s located on the Loop. Let’s go this weekend. I hear they’re also open for lunch.”

It’s time to make the call because you’re probably going to need some more meal points soon. Ibby’s, the new bistro located in the Danforth University Center, is in business, and it’s official: Wash. U. is spoiling us rotten. Now students have the opportunity to dine first-class on campus and pay with meal points. What could be better?

Conveniently situated on the first floor of the DUC, Ibby’s, named for the late Elizabeth “Ibby” Gray Danforth, allows students to momentarily escape the long lines of Bear’s Den and the monotony of eating the same old stuff by transporting us into a world of fine food, efficient service and intimate dining.

Ibby’s has a classy, romantic feel. Frank Sinatra croons in the background “It Had to Be You” as waiters and waitresses dressed in black rush to refill glasses of water and serve gourmet meals. The black painted walls contrast with small red lights hanging overhead. Each table is covered with a white cloth and adorned with its own candle. The lighting was perfect, providing a sense of ambiance without hindering one’s ability to see friends and read the menu.

Ibby’s one-page menu offers variety without overwhelming its patrons. The bistro offers standards, including Missouri corn chowder soup, as well as classic caesar and baby spinach salads. Entrée salads are also offered, as are sandwiches and wraps, including a grilled chicken sandwich.

The bistro also dabbles into more adventurous cuisine. The bistro serves small plates, which include such enticing options as locally-grown exotic mushrooms, smoked gulf shrimp, crab cakes and mussels. For the hungry student ready to splurge, larger pastas and entrées are available, ranging from gnocchi to pork shanks to rainbow trout.

Once our orders were taken, we were presented with an impressive selection of breads and dips. We were served three different types of bread: a rustic, crusty wheat bread, small flavorful biscuits and crunchy triangular cheddar pita chips. The breads could be paired with either olive oil, roasted red pepper butter or a delicious dip made of lentils, which tasted like hummus with a hint of curry.

We began our meal with a small plate of duck springs rolls. The crispy rolls were presented promptly on a long white plate. Filled with shredded duck, these unique and savory rolls were paired with a brightly colored crisp jicama slaw and a sweet orange-chili glaze. The only complaint would be that the portion was minimal. When they say that it’s a small plate, they mean it. There were only four rolls, and while they were a normal size width-wise, they were about the length of a tube of chapstick.

Our entrées arrived soon after we had finished the spring rolls. We tried the strip steak, which was served with a tasty blue cheese potato gratin. Cooked to perfection, the steak was big and worth the price, which was the highest on the menu. We also tried the Mediterranean Vegetable Orchiette. Orecchiette are a distinctive type of pasta shaped roughly like small ears—hence the name Orechiette, meaning “little ears” in Italian. This was paired with a variety of vegetables, including fennel, rapini— similar to broccoli—sweet oven dried roma tomatoes, toasted garlic and artichokes. The portion of the pasta was generous. To my dismay, however, the lemon herb olive oil sauce was not my favorite. I found it to be too watery and tangy. While I ate the dish and considered it to be decent, I would not order it again.

Once the waiter informed us that we could indeed pay with our meal points, we decided to go ahead and try the desserts, which were excellent. We tried the chocolate silk pie. Though the piece was small, its richness and truly silky texture made up for its petite stature. We also tried the Apple Brown Bettie. Served in a dish with thinly sliced apples, this warm dessert spiced with cinnamon and topped with a large spoonful of vanilla ice cream reminded me of my mom’s homemade apple crisp. Let me tell you—that is a high compliment.

So all-in-all, if you want top-notch food on campus, Ibby’s is without a doubt the place to go. It’s not perfect, but minus a few faux pas, it’s getting there. Ibby’s would be a great place to go for a fun, fancy night out with friends or parents. But I have to say that it seems best suited for a date. The romantic atmosphere combined with the fine food and convenience seems like the perfect way to go out with that special someone if you can’t make your way off campus. I know that I’ll be heading back to Ibby’s, I just need to come up with an excuse for my parents. Is there such a thing as an exotic mushroom deficiency?