Olivier Douliery | Abaca Press | MCT

An inside Acela Express car is seen Washington, D.C., July 11, 2011. Amtrak has struggled for survival nearly every year since its first trains rolled out on May 1, 1971.

The railroad, which is currently under construction, should be complete sometime in 2014, according to officials involved in the project.

Planners said the project is especially significant for Washington University students, as a large portion of them call Chicago and its surrounding areas home.

They hope the train, which should travel at a maximum of 110 miles per hour, will help promote cooperation between the two cities.

In June 2009, following President Barack Obama’s call for improved high-speed rail travel nationwide, the Federal Railroad Administration launched the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In January of the following year, Illinois was chosen as one of the states that would benefit from the project, and was allocated $1.2 billion in federal funding to introduce high-speed rail service by 2014.

Students have been a focus of the planning process.

“Students are the one of the important markets we want to reach with this project,” said Miriam Gutierrez, section chief of Rail Program Planning at the Illinois Department of Transportation. “This generation is big on trains, and there will be Amtrak student discounts.”

Gutierrez said that the project managers are currently working out ticket prices that are reasonable but will still help pay for new features the trains will offer passengers, such as Wi-Fi access and improved food services.

“Right now we’re trying to figure out how much we can raise ticket prices so that we won’t lose ridership,” Gutierrez said. “But they won’t go up super high, just because it’s so easy to jump on a plane instead.”

Washington University students who live in the Chicago area are currently faced with the decision between a 60-minute flight and a 5 1/2 hour train ride.

Sophomore Neha Nair said the high-speed rail will make traveling between school and home easier for her.

“I would definitely use the train for busy times like Thanksgiving” Nair said. “In order to get a reasonably priced flight, you have to book it really far in advance, which can be difficult to do early in the semester.”

“If I didn’t have my car and the tickets were cheap enough, I’d definitely take the train, especially since I’d be able to avoid the airport hassle” junior Claire Chaney said.

Gutierrez added that the project managers have to take the environmental impacts of the construction into account. The Illinois Department of Transportation worked with the Federal Railroad Administration to submit an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. Public meetings will be held over the remainder of the year to review the environmental clearance document and ensure that it will be environmentally safe to build a second railroad track through the St. Louis-Chicago corridor.

The Moolah Lounge is often touted as the best movie theater in St. Louis, but its admittedly plush couches can’t compare to the unique movie experience at Chase Park Plaza. A gorgeous hotel in the heart of the Central West End, Chase Park has all the essentials: screenings of everything from blockbusters to obscure indie films, comfortable seats and validated parking.

But Chase Park outdoes itself and goes above and beyond these essentials: each jaunt to the movies always guarantees a different experience. We’ve encountered everything from a random moviegoer sitting down at the piano in the lobby and crooning amazing renditions of Elton John songs to the man sitting behind us at “Vicky Christina Barcelona” trying to convince his wife to have a threesome, to bathroom conversations with the participants of a Father-Daughter Chastity Ball.

Insert a real, live organist before every film and servers bearing platters of mints and chocolates afterwards, and you’ve got the most perfect and entertaining movie-going experience possible—in fact, who even needs a movie when the theater is this much fun?

Did we mention they serve margaritas?

Lily Schorr | Student Life

Boosters Café is an accommodating, affordable place to recover from whatever happened last night.

Just south of the Loop, Boosters Cafe is in the ideal location for upperclassmen to roll out of bed straight into a delicious brunch on a Sunday morning (and by morning, we mean noon, of course). The menu is humble yet delicious, and the friendly staff makes Boosters feel like a homey, small town diner—the kind we all expected when moving to the Midwest.

Choose your meal according to how hard you went out the night before—rock stars, go for the Scrambler Breakfast with three scrambled eggs with cheese, onion and sweet peppers, bacon or sausage, sautéed potatoes with salsa, and toast or an English Muffin—all for $7.25. (Did we mention Boosters is practically free?) For sweeter fare, go with the chocolate chip or pumpkin pancakes—our personal favorite.

What really sets Boosters apart is that they have the greatest substitution policy you could ask for—seriously, ask for anything, and they’ll probably say yes. So for all you herbivores, a pumpkin pancake instead of bacon is indeed a valid trade.

Boosters cooks their food with just enough butter and oil to satisfy your morning-after grease quota without making you feel like you need another shower. Top that with an order of self-serve (read: bottomless) coffee and you’ll recover in no time.

Located just northeast of Brookings, Kayak’s offers something for everyone. It opens at 6:30 a.m. and serves Belgian waffles for the early risers. And even though it closes at 10 p.m., it’s a convenient place for art students to stock up on caffeine for a late night at the studio.

Order whatever suits your fancy: For the sweet-toothed among us, there are waffles and French toast, as well as the typical bakery fare. There’s soup and salad, not to mention a wide variety of sandwiches and wraps for lunch and dinner. The hearth-baked pizzas are also a favorite. The coffee, which is now Kaldi’s brand since Kayak’s was bought out, is also good fare.

The rustic log cabin décor makes it feel like a ski lodge—and let’s face it, there’s nothing better than hot cocoa on a winter night. It’s the warm and cozy atmosphere that sets Kayak’s apart from the typical corporate Starbucks—and, obviously, your typical night in Whispers.

Josh Goldman | Student Life

Kayak’s is a popular coffee destination near the Wash. U. campus.

There’s a renaissance happening in south St. Louis, and we think it’s high time for Wash. U. students to get off the Loop and explore it. With art galleries, coffee shops and vintage stores packed closely together, Cherokee Street’s run-down, industrial feel only serves to highlight its artsy, underground appeal.

“I think Cherokee is to St. Louis what St. Louis is to the nation—it’s kind of under the radar, unpolished, misunderstood,” said Jeff Vines, co-creator of STL-Style, a clothing store located on Cherokee Street that embraces the city’s unique identity through St. Louis themed apparel. “But it’s really brimming with this creative spirit. It’s beautiful, it’s gritty.”

And this local pride is exactly what fuels Cherokee Street to keep growing into an artistic and cultural epicenter. It’s the perfect scene for young people who love St. Louis’ eccentricities and want to be part of infusing a creative culture throughout the city.

When you head to Cherokee Street, make sure to check out the historic antique district, grab some authentic Mexican food at Tacqueria and a coffee at The Mud House, and browse through the art galleries, tag sales and record shops.

Located in swanky downtown Clayton, Miso’s menu combines eclectic pan-Asian dishes with staples like pad thai and crab rangoon for a traditional, but markedly posh, take on Asian cuisine.

Though the entrees are delicious, it’s the smaller sushi dishes that set Miso apart from competitors like the Drunken Fish and Blue Ocean. With more than 35 rolls to choose from, Miso’s sushi assortments include a must-try tuna roll with tempura crunch and spicy, neon green wasabi aioli. Tasty Miso classics include the spicy Sumo Roll (shrimp tempura stuffed with cream cheese, avocado and wasabi, $13) and the Godzilla roll ($13), which is topped with a sweet soy reduction. Out of the fresh, delicately seasoned sashimi and sushi options, the Papasan eight-piece roll wraps spicy snow crab, cucumber, avocado and rice and is draped with striped bass, a jalapeno wafer and chili aioli. Eight pieces may not sound like much, but “the rolls are larger than expected and you won’t leave hungry,” senior Matt Miller said.

Well-known for its dim lighting, pulsing D.J. hits, and lush lounge décor, Miso has been a top pick for hosting events and formals this year.

Go for dinner or swing by from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for happy hour. Miso is the perfect spot for a post-homework wind-down—or a pregame to a night out.

Where in St. Louis can you hop in a flight simulator, sleep under the stars and construct a (sort of) giant arch? In one afternoon? For free? The answer, of course, is the Science Center, conveniently located in the giant backyard we call Forest Park.

Named one of the top five science centers in the U.S., the St. Louis Science Center (SLSC) receives about 1.2 million visitors every year. Its state of the art OMNIMAX Theater both completely swallows visitors and allows them to travel through time and space to the Hubble Telescope, Mecca and, starting in January, the prehistoric ocean.

“The interactive exhibits are awesome—best if you sacrifice your dignity, get in line with the five-year-olds and build an arch, play with the laser harp, put your hand in a 10-foot-tall steam tornado and see what happens,” senior Kirsten Siebach said. “It’s a fantastic way to remember why you actually like science when you need a break from solving the Schrodinger equation.”

The SLSC will soon feature an exhibition on the science of climate change and its effects all over the world. The exhibition opens on Jan. 8—just in time for our return to St. Louis, as we walk to class against the frigid winds and wish that global warming would make an appearance.

Matt Mitgang | Student Life

Freshmen enjoy the St. Louis Science Center during this year’s new student orientation.

Josh Goldman | Student Life

Pi Pizzeria offers thin crust and deep dish pizza, like this Western Edition deep dish pie that was enjoyed by the Design staff while making this issue.

Correction: See note at the bottom of this post.

Pi’s biggest claim to fame is also what tends to draw new customers—its pizza is President Obama’s favorite. In fact, the restaurant’s chefs flew to D.C. in order to cook their cheesy deep-dish delicacies for a White House dinner.

The pizzeria’s extensive menu offers appetizers, salads and both deep-dish and thin crust pizzas. But Pi is famous for its deep-dish variety, and we feel very strongly that this is not the time to cut some calories and order the thin crust. Deep-dish is clearly the way to go. (When you go to a steakhouse, you don’t order a salad.)

The deep-dish pizzas ($12-$22) have several tasty layers of ingredients. They start with a thick, much-loved cornmeal crust, followed by fresh mozzarella cheese and your chosen toppings (or … middlings, because they aren’t actually on top). Fresh chunks of tomatoes cooked in Italian herbs like oregano and basil finish off the pizza. No need to deal with goopy sauces; the restaurant clearly believes in preserving the integrity of their ingredients.

To round out your meal, try the restaurant’s specialty “cookie pi” ($7), a house-made pie that is basically one giant gooey chocolate chip cookie served with caramel, hot fudge, walnuts and your choice of ice cream (vanilla, salted caramel or cinnamon). We recommend ordering all three.

Correction: In the original posting of this article, which first appeared on Dec. 13, it was reported that “Pi’s biggest claim to fame is also what tends to draw new customers—its pizza is President Obama’s favorite. In fact, he paid to have the restaurant’s chefs flown to D.C. in order to cook their cheesy deep-dish delicacies for a White House dinner.” The Pi chefs did cook for President Obama, but they paid their own fare to D.C. Student Life regrets the error.

Sometimes simpler is better. With dart boards, pinball machines and a jukebox inside, Blueberry Hill has a low-key vibe that’s perfect for students.

Patrons are friendly, laid back and always open for conversation. Blueberry Hill’s prices are reasonable, service is quick, and high-heeled sorority girls are kept to a minimum.

Founded in 1972 by Loop legend Joe Edwards, the bar is filled with old-school knick-knacks and memorabilia, including vintage lunch boxes and toy figures—all of which make for great conversation starters. The bar is also famous for its beer selection of over 60 bottled beers and 18 draught taps.

Lily Schorr | Student Life

Located on the Delmar Loop, Blueberry Hill is a clear pick for “best bar.”

Though the drinks are on the weaker side and the food is on par with the typical bar fare, the distinct, the hometown feel of Blueberry Hill sets it apart as our favorite. Plus, its convenient location on the Loop makes it easy to bar hop or head back home—or better yet, to Jimmy John’s.

If you’re looking for a classy way to turn 21—or 45—Talayna’s is your best bet. Owned and operated by the legendary Mike Talayna, the karaoke bar (and former strip club!) offers mirrored walls, disco balls and an entertaining swath of local culture.

Go for the well drink specials (trust us, they’re strong), the conversations you’ll have in the bathroom, and the fact that this is probably the only bar in St. Louis where satin hot pants, a glittered tank top and five-inch heels are components of an acceptable outfit. Sign up early for karaoke—there’s a long waiting list.

“I went to Talayna’s to celebrate my 21st birthday … The atmosphere was very friendly, there were lots of familiar faces. We all just mingled out on the dance floor and had a really fantastic time,” junior Michael Brodsky said.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of owner Mike Talayna sitting at the bar with a series of mixed drinks in front of him; we’re pretty sure he’s been sitting at the same spot since around 1975. And if you’re smart, you’ll tell your sober driver to remember that there’s a 24-hour Steak ’n Shake right down the street.