Young, single, professional...where do I go? (St. Louis, Manchester: loft, house)

[atl_to_stl]

I'm here on a work assignment for the next six months and I'm looking for input on places to visit. I'm a 24 year old single black female from Atlanta and I'm wondering where all the young professionals are. I was told to go to "The Loop"...I went there and left wondering where the rest of it was. I probably missed out on half of it since I'm not familiar with the area (at least I'm hoping that's the case).

I'm not going to compare Atlanta to St. Louis, these are two different cities. I would, however, like to enjoy my time while I'm here. I drove down to South County during my first weekend here and I didn't get a "good vibe" from the residents there, they were looking at me like . Guess I ventured to the wrong side of town? Lol. Any other places to avoid?

I'm on the hunt for a great Mexican restaurant. In Atlanta we have some great choices and I've missed my weekly Mexican fix since I've been in the midwest. What about nightlife? I'm into low key places like quiet jazz lounges and wine bars, no loud clubs and it would certainly need to be in a safe area since I don't know anyone and would likely be going alone. I'm willing to drive anywhere but I live downtown in the loft district if that helps.

I look forward to your advice, I'm ready to get out and explore!

[aragx6]

OK, let's see if I can offer some help.

First off, if you're living near the Washington Ave Loft District downtown then you already have some great restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep.

I like the loop, but you're right that it's not a huge area. also check out the Central West End aka CWE (easy enough to find, just take the metro to the CWE stop and walk north), and the South Grand area (not accessible by metro, but a very short drive, or slightly longer bus ride).

I suspect you'll like South Grand -- lots of ethnic restaurants and step off onto the side streets and you'll see some beautiful old homes.

Soulard is all about the bars. Home to the 2nd largest mardi gras in the country (after NOLA of course).

Clayton is an inner ring suburb (also easily accessible via metro) that's a little more grown up, frou frou if you will.

For wine bars, look at CWE, Wash Ave. and Clayton. St. Louis is more a blues town than a jazz town (and I'm a blues girl) so you'll probably find on any given weekend night that a club calling itself "Jazz and Blues" ends up being more blues.

Don't go back to south county -- nothing to see there at all. And you're not wrong about the vibe. The area is literally less than 1% black and it's not an accident.

the best advice? Check out this thread on St. Louis restaurants not to miss: http://www.city-data.com/forum/st-lo...s-tha-lou.html

Look at yelp.com and the Riverfront Times (free all over the city, or online at riverfronttimes.com) for things going on and places to visit.

There's another great thread on here about must-see St. Louis attractions that you should definitely check out: http://www.city-data.com/forum/st-lo...tractions.html

Hope that helps some! If you have more questions, ASK AWAY!!

[Brickmama]

Awesome, its great to hear you are looking to explore.

You already have a lot around you where you currently live in the loft district. There are lots of bars, resturants, and clubs around you.

For Jazz clubs and wine bars try Erato on S Grand, Jazz at the Bistro in Grand Center, The Loft at Compton and Olive, and Solace on Wash Ave at 14th.

There is a great mexican resturant in Soulard called Chava's or you could try the Mexican resturants on Cherokee street.

Let me know if this helps or if you have any other questions.

[atl_to_stl]

Thanks for the great responses! I appreciate the specific info, definitely helps. Yes, I live in the Loft District right on Washington Avenue. I work a lot so I don't get a lot of free time during the week but I'm excited to go out on the weekends and explore.

aragx8-Don't worry, lol, I will NEVER go back down to South County! I felt completely under a microscope and not very comfortable. :-( It's unfortunate that anyone should feel that way but I guess that's just the way it is.

Brickmama- Thanks so much for the Mexican restaurant advice. I can't wait to try it out when I get some free time.

Just curious...how's the dating scene in St. Louis? I'd love to see the area continue to bring in more young urban professionals to contribute to the growth of the city. I certainly don't want to be a hermit while I'm here and I'd like to meet some nice guys to go out with. So far, I haven't been able to meet anyone but hopefully that will change soon.

Thanks again! I hope to keep this thread going to I can post about my experiences in the city.

[stl_63123]

I moved here from out of state as well. Currently single and looking for young professionals to meet with. Do you enjoy salsa dancing or sports like volleyball? If yes, let me know and we can at least become friends. I moved here like 4 months ago and people on this message boards have been extra-ordinarily helpful.

[Brickmama]

Another mexican restaurant option would be El Borracho on Locust and 20th. Shouldnt be very far from your loft.

What building are you living in?

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by atl_to_stl

Thanks for the great responses! I appreciate the specific info, definitely helps. Yes, I live in the Loft District right on Washington Avenue. I work a lot so I don't get a lot of free time during the week but I'm excited to go out on the weekends and explore.

aragx8-Don't worry, lol, I will NEVER go back down to South County! I felt completely under a microscope and not very comfortable. :-( It's unfortunate that anyone should feel that way but I guess that's just the way it is.

Brickmama- Thanks so much for the Mexican restaurant advice. I can't wait to try it out when I get some free time.

Just curious...how's the dating scene in St. Louis? I'd love to see the area continue to bring in more young urban professionals to contribute to the growth of the city. I certainly don't want to be a hermit while I'm here and I'd like to meet some nice guys to go out with. So far, I haven't been able to meet anyone but hopefully that will change soon.

Thanks again! I hope to keep this thread going to I can post about my experiences in the city.

In all honesty I've never dated in the city (the SO and I met in college) but people tend to say the scene isn't that great. St. Louis is a little more family oriented than other cities (esp. those not in the Midwest).

As for the South County thing -- you have inadvertently touched on one of St. Louis' sorest spots. It's a black and white town. This is much less evident in the gentrified city neighborhoods, but out in the suburbs you see our rust belt northern roots a little more easily.

White flight devastated the city in the 60s, 70s and 80s and only now is the city on the up and up once again. Some white folks have been migrating farther and farther west and south and they take some bad feelings about their old neighborhoods with them.

[stl_63123]

This is a compilation from a group of people. I hope you find this helpful:

Fav Chinese: Wei Hong (the one @ olive & Hanley)
[SIZE=2]Fav Mexican: Garduno's [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Italian: Trattoria Marcella[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav American: Kitchen K[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Vietnamese: Pho Grand[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Middle Eastern: Cafe Natasha/Kabob House[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Deli: Protzel's Delicatessen[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Sushi/Japanese: I love Mr. Sushi[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Late Night: Kopperman's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Indian: Rasoi[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Breakfast: Uncle Bill's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Mexican: Chimichanga's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Pizza: Racanelli's, CWE (was not impressed with the Loop location)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Italian: Gian-Tony's or Lorenzo's Trattoria[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Deli: K.D. Poppa's (Clayton) - great soups![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Sushi/Japanese: Wasabi (again, Clayton)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Overall: Iron Barley (Virginia & Bates)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Overall (high end): Franco (Soulard) & Revival (Choteau Ave) - you'll drop around a C-note for full meal w/wine & dessert (for 2), but WELL worth it![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Italian: Zia's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Indian: Priyaa[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Thai: Thai Kitchen[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Pizza: Imo's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Middle Eastern: Saleem's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Sushi/Japanese: Tachibana[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Brazilian: Bacana Brazil[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Burgers: Annie Gun's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Beer: Trailhead[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Chinese: Chop Suey (Parker Road and Hwy 367)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Mexican: Qdoba (I know, I know...) [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Italian: Guido's (on the Hill)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav American: Cheesecake Factory[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Vietnamese: Kim Son [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Middle Eastern: Sameem's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Deli: Don't really have one[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Sushi/Japanese: Wasabi[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Late Night: Steak N Shake[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Indian: House of India[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]My overall fav type of food: Sushi![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Favorite Overall For a quick cheap bite: Carl's Drive In![/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Chinese: House of Wong - Clayton[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Mexican: Hacienda - Manchester [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Italian: Peitro's - South City[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav American: Three Monkeys - Tower Grove South[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Deli: Mom's Deli - South City[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Sushi/Japanes: - Asia - Lumiere Place[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Fav Late Night: Uncle Bill's - Kingshighway[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Favorite Overall For a quick cheap bite: South City Diner[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Breakfast - Chis' - South City[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Steak - Annie Gun's[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Brunch - Squire's - Lafayette Square[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Burger: The Hilltop at Morganford & Loughborough (lunch only M-F)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Burger 2: The Village Bar - Manchester Rd near West County Mall[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Pizza: Feraro's in Soulard[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Breakfast: Courtesy Diner - Kingshighway[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Thai: Basil Spice[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Gyro: St Louis Gyro Company - Gravois near Germania[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Burrito: LaVellesano on Cherokee[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Chimi: Gardunos on Cherokee[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Philly Cheesesteak: Lenny's - Big Bend & Elm - Webster Grove[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Deli: Gioia's - The Hill[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Breakfast: Uncle Bill's (south city)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best non-greasy Breakfast: Murdock Perk (south city)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Pizza: Giannino's (south co.)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Italian: Favazza's (the hill)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Deli: (tie) Macklind Ave. Deli and Amaghetti's (south city and the hill)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Mexican: El Paisano (south city-a chain, but so good!)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Desserts: Baily's Chocolate Bar (Lafayette Sq.)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Steaks: Carmine's (downtown)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best "Fancy" Dinner: Savor (CWE)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Chinese: House of Wong (Clayton)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Tapas: Barcelona (Clayton)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Best Greek: Ari's (south city)[/SIZE]

[atl_to_stl]

stl_63123: I love salsa dancing! I'm actually into all kinds of music and love to experience different cultural outings. Thanks so much for posting the restaurants, I'll definitely have to check those out soon.

aragx3: Thanks for the background on the area, it makes sense now. I'll just try not to explore too far west or south.

You all have given some great tips so far, thank you so much. If anyone has anything else to share, please feel free to jump in. :-)

[aragx6]

P.S. I think it's super funny that you put a different number at the end of my sn each time. It was probably an accident, but it made me giggle anyway.