If you’re looking for a new area to explore, want an alternative to the Loop, or feel like breaking out of the “WashU bubble,” the Central West End could be your best next stop. The district boasts a variety of dining options, landmarks, research opportunities, and housing — even if you’re already familiar with the area, there might be something new to see.

Sitting on the corner of Euclid and McPherson in Central West End, Left Bank Books offers an entirely different take on the book browsing experience. Established by a group of WashU graduate students in 1969, Left Bank is a mission-driven bookstore that doubles as a community space, making a point to form genuine connections with its customers.

Left Bank Books in the Central West End was packed in a pleasant, middle-of-winter way for Washington University alum Miranda Popkey’s reading Jan 14.

These tours—especially those to less frequently visited areas of the city—are a concrete, constructive effort on the part of the University to introduce not only students, but also the loved ones who support them, to St. Louis outside of the “Wash. U. Bubble.”

There’s more to Central West End than Drunken Fish and El Burro Loco.

Bear Discounts, a Washington University student-run business and member of the Student Entrepreneurial Program, plans on adding more vendors in the Delmar Loop, Clayton, the Central West End and downtown St. Louis areas.

It’s undeniable that the farm-to-table values and ideas that Blue Hill epitomizes are found at Vicia, transplanted to the Midwest and used to create the same “as it should be” food

In the golden age of Amazon.com and with a megalith of a bookstore on campus, most of us students don’t venture out to book-and-mortar shops these days. Last weekend, however, I did just that—and boy, am I glad I did.

[rating stars="3.5"] Featuring a sushi bar along with a varied menu of pizzas, pastas and other entrees, Central Table, located in the Central West End, offers something for everyone. This upscale restaurant with valet parking has a modern vibe and advertises an excellent dining experience. The latter claim, however, is quite debatable.

St. Louis just got a little less green. This past Friday, Green Bean, a salad and wrap restaurant in the Central West End popular among Washington University students, closed.