Restaurant Spotlight

The word "taj" refers to a crown or a mark of distinction, and Taj Palace has distinguished itself as a crown jewel in the Chesterfield Valley.

Ben Reeder's world is wrapped in a tortilla.  

History claims that the sandwich was named after the fourth Earl of Sandwich, who while gambling, ordered his servant to bring him some sliced meat tucked between two pieces of bread so he could ea

Innovation is the force driving the success of The Drunken Fish Sushi Restaurant & Lounge.

"It's a labor intensive concept, but we take the time to make everything fresh because it makes a huge difference in our quality and taste," Whicker said. "We make our own tortillas and hand-roll our tamales. Our cooks at each restaurant start at 7 a.m. each morning to begin charring tomatoes, peppers, chiles and onions to make our salsa and sauces. Because we do it fresh, it allows us to offer special items for special diets, like our 'gluten-free' menu upon request."

Qayum Mohammad knows dreams can come true. 

Lucky are those who travel off the beaten path and discover Lucky Spring, the authentic Chinese eatery tucked along Triad Center Drive just off Jungermann Road.

Ann Ojile loves to cook.

Red meat has gotten a bad rap, but at Cornerstone Nutrition and Coffehous

Use simple ingredients and the food will speak for itself. That philosophy, combined with an unwavering commitment to bring quality, consistency and thoughtful twists to classic Italian dishes is at the heart of Sapore Italian Café in Manchester.

Stimulating the senses well beyond the caffeine rush has placed Saint Charles Coffee House in a small group of retro-styled coffee houses. There, one can relax, converse, listen to music and poetry readings and, of course, drink coffee.  

Sampling China’s cuisines has become easier since the opening of Panda Palace in Manchester.

“It’s a journey we’ve undertaken to bring the different styles of Chinese cooking to West County,” said James Zhang, who along with Peter Wang and Joanne Tien has successfully brought a variety of Imperial China’s cuisines conveniently together under one roof. 

This October marks 16 years since David and Nikki Escamilla stopped waiting tables at Nikki’s sister’s place and opened their own restaurant – El Nopal Authentic Mexican Restaurant in Valley Park. At the time, they were excited, a bit nervous and expecting their first child.  Today, the Escamillas – now the parents of four children and owners of four El Nopal restaurants – are proud of their reputation and grateful for their customers, without whom, they realize, none of their success would be possible.

Coffee connoisseurs consider crema – the foamy head that rises to the top of the espresso shot – the best part. Like its namesake, Crema Café & Coffeehouse has risen to the top among espresso bars and coffeehouses. 

There is a huge difference in a restaurant that operates just to make money and those who do it because they love it.

Chef Moe, proprietor of Moe’s Pasta Bowl Italian Mix is a prime example of the latter: The Pasta Bowl brings dining born of devotion, passion and love—at its best.

Destination dining often means driving for an hour or more, but not so for West County residents. The Hawthorne Inn, nestled along Labadie’s historic Front Street, is a short drive away. 

“We’re just about 20-25 minutes away from most anywhere in West County,” said Cathy Hancock, who owns The Hawthorne Inn with her husband, Chris, and Dick Hoey. “We like to say we’re not too far a drive for a destination.” 

At Table Three, three is more than a number – it is a strategy.

“Ambience, food and service are the big three for restaurants, and it’s what we do best,” said owner Beth Williams, adding that Table Three is her third restaurant. 

Aspiring to loftier endeavors brings unexpected opportunities. Such was the case for Bob Wilhite when The Barn at Lucerne’s former hayloft emptied.