8440 Delmar Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63124
314-993-3754

Go to Mai Lee. Right now. Seriously, go. I honestly would not be offended if you stopped reading my review to go eat there.

I’ve recently been trying to figure out which eateries in the local area are best for college students. In my mind, there are several criteria to consider: quality, variety and affordability are the most important. Mai Lee fits all of these and more.

Located on Delmar, right near Interstate 170, this restaurant was the first to introduce Vietnamese cuisine to the St. Louis area, but it certainly hasn’t rested on its laurels since. The visual appearance of the restaurant is simple and comforting: There isn’t any stereotypical Asian music playing; the servers don’t wear over-the-top attire, and the decoration, obviously of an Asian theme, is very tasteful.

The first shining quality of Mai Lee is its menu, which presents a good variety of dishes at an affordable price. The menu has two primary parts: Vietnamese and Chinese. That’s right, though Mai Lee is a Vietnamese restaurant, it acknowledges that some people are simply unfamiliar with different varieties of Asian cuisine and are more comfortable with classic Chinese food. The Chinese section is much smaller than the Vietnamese, as would be expected, though it still lists more than 40 dishes.

If you want some real variety, stick to the Vietnamese side of the menu, which boasts more than 170 choices. Admittedly, some are pretty similar to each other, but 170 choices—from seafood, vegetarian and meat entrees to 26 different soups—is still pretty remarkable. Mai Lee also has a good selection of Vietnamese beverages, including (my favorite) iced coffee with condensed milk.

I eventually settled on one of the Vietnamese soups, No. 11 (the servers know all of the dishes by number as well as by name), and sweet rice for dessert.

Here is where the quality and affordability come in—I paid $5.95 for my soup, and the bowl was enormous. Not only was the soup itself enough to feed a hungry rugby player, but it came with an additional plate overflowing with mix-ins: fresh bean sprouts, peppers, lettuce, lemons and herbs.

Before my additions, my soup consisted of clear noodles and sliced pork in a fragrant broth. After I customized it a little with some of the extra ingredients, it was a legitimate bastion of Vietnamese flavors. The soup itself was wonderful: It had a very full flavor and texture. The herbs played a starring role when I was eating the vegetables in the dish, but then they took a complementary role when the pork came into the game. I honestly had trouble finishing the bowl, not because it wasn’t delicious but because I got so much.

After packing the rest up to save for later, I was served my sweet rice: a yellowish log of rice that, unless you are a frequent rice eater, doesn’t taste terribly sweet. After the intense flavor of the soup, however, it was just right, allowing me to appreciate my meal for all its grandiosity and subtlety.

At Mai Lee, I received an incredibly satisfying and delicious meal for just $10. This is the perfect stop for anyone who needs a break from the monotony of burgers and pizza but doesn’t want to break the bank.

Upon arriving at Fountain on Locust, I thought I was standing outside a classic French chocolaterie. From the architecture and inviting sign advertising to their ice cream and classic cocktails, everything maintained a distinct French flair.

Once inside, I was astonished by the culture war that Fountain on Locust presents: The interior was very art deco—from the paintings to the light fixtures to the bar itself—yet, over the speakers, I heard Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, James Brown and Jefferson Airplane.

We sat at one of the central round tables and glanced at the menu.

To start things off, I ordered the Fountain Flower Tea for Two, designed especially for those on dates. What you get is two snifters of hot water, inside of which is a handmade tea-roll and two pieces of chocolate of your choice. Here’s the fun part though: If you let the tea-roll sit for long enough, it eventually opens up, inside of your glass, into a flower. This is a very cute and enjoyable item for couples.

The dinner choices are limited to pizzas, sandwiches and salads, the majority of which offer a slight spin on the status quo.

For example, the sandwich that I ordered, the Royal Grille, is described as an adult grilled cheese, consisting of both cheddar and mozzarella, on grilled whole wheat bread with Fuji apple slices.

The sandwich was not bad, although I felt that the apples were nearly invisible, making it taste like a regular grilled cheese with a different texture. I believe this dish certainly has potential, but it just needs work on the execution.

My date ordered the Famous Birdseed Salad, but instead received the Fountain Salad. The server was very apologetic for the mix-up, and allowed us to keep both salads for the price of the cheapest one, which, as someone who reviews restaurants, was an excellent opportunity for me to garner more information on the available dishes.

The Fountain Salad is a rendition of the classic grilled chicken salad, with the addition of diced apples and dried cherries. Served with some Parmesan cheese, this salad was a winning combination of flavors. One of the most important aspects of this dish was its reasonable serving size—not small enough to be insulting but just enough to allow room for whatever else one wanted next.

The Famous Birdseed Salad was quite remarkable actually. Its name comes from the sunflower and pepita seeds, along with other nuts and fruits, that are combined with mixed lettuce. What made the dish so special, however, was what was resting on top: a single, large slice of apple that had been bruléed. For those of you who don’t know what this means, a light coat of sugar was sprinkled on top of the apple and then caramelized with a kitchen-sized blowtorch. It was a dessert in and of itself and certainly worth the trip.

After all the dishes were finished, we finally got the chance to look over the extensive dessert options: from classic sundaes, milkshakes, malts and ice cream cones (including the World’s Smallest Ice Cream Cone for $0.79) to Fountain on Locust’s Specialties, which were more appealing.

From all the options, including the Standing Banana Split, the Nutty Irishman and the Bearcat, we eventually chose the Dark and Sinister and the Supreme Cream Puff.

After waiting a few minutes and enjoying the unique atmosphere, both desserts arrived.

The Dark and Sinister was a tall glass filled with rich chocolate ice cream, topped with marshmallow sauce and a single chocolate coin. Do I really need to say that it was delicious?

The Supreme Cream Puff was not overshadowed by its name. It was a huge baked cream puff shell filled with vanilla deluxe ice cream and topped with hot fudge.

Fountain on Locust offers a pleasant atmosphere, unexpected entrees and astounding desserts.

Final Thoughts:

Guy’s Perspective: For a fun, romantic and not terribly expensive date (the entire meal cost $40), this is the place to come.

Gal’s Perspective: Ladies, for any chocolate craving or just a place to go hang out with some friends, you’ll never be disappointed here.

Upon entering, one is overwhelmed by the environment of the place – the walls are orange and covered with tapestries, pictures and beautiful paintings, along with a single American flag. The ceiling of one half of the building is covered in a flowing black and white cloth while another has golden curtains hanging down, along with the occasional hanging lamp. There is also a very small bar with no more than eight seats directly in front of the entrance, displaying a humble selection of spirits, along with five choices of red wines ranging from $19 to $26 per bottle, and white wines ranging from $16 to $28. The beer selection is slightly larger, including a number of brands from Canada, Ireland, Belgium and the U.S.,  though there are no Lebanese choices. While one is taking all of this in, one might not initially notice  the music that is constantly playing throughout the restaurant, which ranges from classic Lebanese style to obviously more modern renditions. The music becomes a very comforting part of the environment. Upon being seated, I noticed an artistic detail that I had initially overlooked: hand-painted tables of fascinating, multicolored designs.

I sat down and glanced at the menu, realizing that this would be a unique experience. The menu is divided into several sections: mezze—meaning snack or appetizer—salads and soups, poultry, beef and lamb, vegetarian and samplers. The mezze section featured options such as fried kibbi, which is described as “lean ground beef and bulghar wheat seasoned with onions,” or garlic pita chips smothered with garlic butter and vegetarian caviar, explained as “grilled eggplant, onions, garlic, tomatoes, roasted bell pepper,” all with yogurt and basil.

The salads and soups options were not simply limited to those that an average American diner would expect, but also included options such as fatoosh made of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, onions, feta cheese, kalamata onions and toasted pita served with a house dressing.

The vegetarian section, something that is not often seen on menus, contained several appetizing offers: garlic eggplants or mejadarra, a lentil and rice pilaf seasoned with onions. The options for us carnivores were anything but limited, and included options such as beef shawarma: “Beef cutlets marinated in vinegar, cloves, nutmeg and garlic. Smothered with tahini sauce, onions and radishes.”

After asking the server twice to give me more time to decide, I eventually decided on trying the falafel from the mezze choice and the mowzaat from the beef and lamb.

After a notable wait at my table, I was served the falafel: four balls of deep-fried chickpea dough, covered with a tahini sauce, composed of sesame seed, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. After first breaking open one of the fried puffs, I was assaulted by the smell of curry and hoped that the taste would have much the same flavor, and it did. The dish was also served with a side of 15 or so thin pieces of chewy pita bread that is to be used in much the same way as naan in Indian cuisine. The tahini sauce was tangy, and added accentuation to the very flavorful and filling falafel. The onions and radishes that were served along side also played as an excellent complement to the combination of curry, lemon and garlic. The flavor was remarkably subtle after I became accustomed to the combination, and I greatly appreciated that the dish allowed for every ingredient to play its part without overpowering the next.

As soon as I was finished with my first dish, I was served my second: mowzaat, served with a side dish of rice, a lemon, tomatoes and sauce to flavor to taste. My initial impression of the dish was that it appeared remarkably similar to a home-cooked, country stew. However, the lamb braised with dried fruit, oregano, onions, garlic and cinnamon carried anything but the typical flavor. The remarkably large chunks of lamb, though appearing slightly tough initially, melt in the mouth. After taking a bite, be sure not to swallow immediately, for the longer you wait, the more you will notice the subtle layer of cinnamon that is laced within the complex flavor of lamb. The broth itself is very sweet, but here is a suggestion: add a hint of lemon to the dish and definitely add the rice. This particular rice had the subtle flavor of honey when I tasted it, though I later found out that there was none within the dish. Upon adding the rice to the dish, it brings out a completely new flavor to the broth, which in turn adds another, light element to the meat itself. Another suggestion is to try the lamb with everything that is in the bowl and on the plate, including the fruits and the onions, for each brings out a new level of taste to the meat, which, by itself, is not the most flavorful of lamb. The reason that I decided to order a lamb dish is that it is a dish that is either cooked very well or not well at all; I must say, after finishing the dish, that the lamb’s flavor, though subtle, served its purpose well and was prepared skillfully.

The only dessert that offered was a walnut baklava, which is one of my favorite desserts. However, I must confess that I committed a sin while reviewing this restaurant: I did not try the dessert. Simply put, the previous two dishes were quite filling and heavy, preventing me from even contemplating ordering the baklava. I admit that I wish that I could have tried it, but I fear that I would not have appreciated the dish, being as full as I was, without even finishing each dish.

Saleem’s provides wonderful, hearty dishes that are especially fitting for the cold weather, and an even more inviting environment. I will be sure to visit again when I have a completely empty stomach. And remember: “Where Garlic is King.”

Duff’s is tucked safely into the Central West End, right across from a small bookstore, with a comfortable patio along the sidewalk and stained-glass windows looking inside. Upon entering, soft jazz and gentle lighting fill the room, which contains a few booths and a few more tables. There is a handsome bar with seating for nine and a stock that has nothing truly unusual, but certainly nothing missing. The walls are covered on one side with mirrors, on another with wall tapestries or paintings. After passing through a large, brick archway, one is greeted by a number of small wooden tables that keep a family meal intimate. The restaurant exudes the aura of a familial dining room or kitchen, with everyone sitting comfortably and enjoying the company.

The menu continues the theme of simple, family meals, ranging from $4.95 for a salad up to $19.95 for a pepper steak. The restaurant offers a number of time-dependent deals to complement their menu: The Red-Bird Special allows any of five selected entrŽes to be only $10 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Also prior to 6:30 p.m., any three-course meal is only $25, regardless of which items are chosen. After noting these deals, I proceeded to menu. The small plate and salad section has a number of dishes offered, from typical salads such as a Caesar and a Greek salad, to more unusual smoked trout or steak salad. Some of the small plates that particularly stuck out included the creole crab and crawfish cakes and the beef carpaccio, of which I settled on the latter. The main courses were quite varied, ranging from blue quiche, which is a blue cheese quiche served with a cranberry, pear and walnut salad, to vegetable pot pie to spinach feta strudel. After hard deliberation and a suggestion from the server, I decided to try the cranberry chicken.

During the wait in between ordering and eating, I was greeted by a number of the staff, from the host to the head chef, all of whom were more than happy to share a story or two. I was even coerced into taking a look at a picture hanging on the wall of the 10th birthday of Duff’s from more than 20 years ago. I took great pleasure in watching the host point out to me all of the people in the picture who still worked at the restaurant.

Right as I finished the fourth slice of my appetizer, my server, dressed in a grey Polo and khakis, brought over the cranberry chicken. The chicken itself had a visually pleasant char to it that deducted nothing from the taste of the meat. Served on the side was a medley of steamed vegetables and a ball of  what Duff’s calls sweet potato corn bread pudding. Placed randomly over the meal was the occasional cranberry. The chicken breast itself acquired a wonderful sweetness from the savory sauce in which it rested, allowing for a wonderful complement from the cranberries.

In my opinion, however, the star of the meal was the sweet potato corn bread pudding. The corn bread was subtle and not easily detected aside from noticing that there was more to the flavor than just sweet potatoes; regardless, the flavor was excellent and a wonderful addition to the chicken itself. Perhaps it was the combination of the sweet potatoes, corn bread and cranberries that reminded me so much of Thanksgiving at home, or perhaps it was just the meal itself, but I found the entire experience to be incredible.

Duff’s truly does feel like home in atmosphere, presentation and taste. Perhaps Jim Voss’ experience traveling with The Grateful Dead helped to create that; after all, a band who travels all over the world never minds a home-style meal now and again.

Rating: 4.5/5

Well, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Not a fan of hobgoblins? Café Ventana is the solution.

Located off of Forest Park Avenue—about an eight-minute drive from campus for those fortunate enough to have a car—Café Ventana is a coffee shop with a New Orleans flair.

It officially opened a little more than one week ago, and you can tell. When I first walked into the shop, there were a few workmen inside with ladders, and one on the roof. Not only that, but it was quite easy to notice that a good number of the staff was still in the training process. However, that will surely end within the next few weeks.

The environment of Café Ventana deserves special attention. The outside features a small patio, with no more than eight tables with a few chairs each, giving it a very intimate feel. However, with the café located on the street of a neighborhood not of the highest quality, there isn’t much to gain from sitting outside. The inside is a different matter, however. Immediately upon walking in, one feels greeted by a living room: four large, leather chairs surround a small table that is located directly in front of a stone fireplace. And these chairs are heaven. Though right outside of the shop is a bustling and loud city scene, upon sitting in one of these leather seats, everything else disappears as you sink into pure relaxation. There are also counters running along most of the walls, which several people were using as a study space, and a faux-stone bar with ample seating and space.

Another aspect that instantly caught my attention was the way that the menu was presented. Above the cashier are three flat-screen televisions: the outer two feature the menu, beverages and food, respectively, while the center displays a slide-show of food offered.

As I said earlier, Café Ventana is anything other than a usual coffee joint. Though you do still order from a counter, much like Starbucks, the menu is much more noteworthy. In addition to their 11 styles of coffee, they also offer six coffees with a kick including Irish Coffee, with whiskey, and Spanish Coffee, with rum and brandy. They also allow you to add a spirit of your choice. Café Ventana offers a wide variety of Bissinger’s Chocolates, apple cider (spiced or not), smoothies and a few cocktails.

This brings me to the alcohol selection. They do offer a decent variety and a Friday night ‘Happy Hour’ from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., but it’s nothing worth going out of your way for, aside from its authentic absinthe.

The menu, however, is something that deserves a special trip. I arrived at the beginning of their lunch hour, which serves the same menu as dinner, and I sat down with one of the café’s to-go menus. At that time, I noticed the paper menu featured no prices at all. Very helpful. After careful contemplation, I decided on the Apple Brie sandwich and their special Haut Chocolate.

The Apple Brie is described thusly: “A delectable grilled panini suitable as an entrée or a dessert: fresh walnut bread smothered with honey walnut spread and stuffed with sautéed apples and Brie.” This dish runs $9.25 and comes with a side of chips, fresh fruit or salad. The presentation of the dish was average, served much as any other sandwich and any other place would be. The walnut and Brie in the dish were very powerful, and very good, while the apple flavor was much more subtle. Though it was quite good, for something known as Apple Brie I expected a good deal more apple. The dish was very hearty, nonetheless, and certainly deserves special recognition.

Then came the Haut Chocolate, which is made from Bissinger’s Chocolate and runs $6.95. For that amount I expected a lap dance as well. The presentation of the dish was excellent: The drink looked like your average hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate flakes, but it was the handmade marshmallows that made it stand out. Served on their own plate were two square fluffs, sprinkled with chocolate and made for dipping. The drink was very rich, both in flavor and in texture, and certainly anything but average. Haut Chocolate certainly set a new level to which other hot chocolates must rise.

Café Ventana offers a little of everything for everyone: an average cup of coffee, a New Orleans style crab cake, wonderful sandwiches, soups and salads. Though this place is brand new, I foresee a bright future, and hope that they stay as unusual a treat as they currently are.