Dado's Cafe

I don't know how many times I have driven by this place since it's right across the street from my bank, but it's so cute and close by! I definitely have to give a shout out to NextDoor.com because I think that's how I found out about Dado's Café.

While it's easy to go to our default Greek places, I love trying new places. What was cool about this restaurant is that we could get our favorite appetizers built into an entrée! And we didn't have to share! 

Since they were officially entrées, a small Greek salad was included.

Small Greek Salad

Patience ordered her two favorite things as a complete meal...Dolmades and Spanakopita!

Dolmades and Spanakopita

I was able to get a Combination entrée like a said, so not only did I get my favorite, Moussaka, but I also got my own Dolmades and Spanakopita. (I also had leftovers!)

Combo platter of Moussaka, Dolmades, and Spanakopita

Can't forget about dessert... we probably could have shared an order of baklava, but now we both have extra. (And we STILL don't have to share!)

Baklava

Also awesome is that you can order online. There is curbside pick up, but there is plenty of parking in the lot behind the building. Plenty of seating inside if you're willing. 

Have kids? They even have several burger and pizza options too.

Resources:

Dado's Cafe = https://www.dados-cafe.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Noto Pizza

We crossed the river! Luckily, we remembered our passports! Sorry, that's an inside joke from us city folk. My friend heard wonderful things about Noto (and the positive press keeps coming), so I'm not about to turn down a chance to dine out and have an excuse to see a St. Charles County friend!

You really can't go wrong with Italian food, but Noto is known for their Neapolitan pizza as they have a huge pizza oven in the middle of the restaurant. Fortunately, half our table ordered pizza so we got to try the Margherita and the Italiano (basically a Margherita with sausage). Delicious, chewy crust!

Margherita Pizza

Italiano Pizza

I'm a big agnolotti fan so I HAD to order it. No hesitation. Cooked sage, walnuts, and brown butter!

Agnolotti

And I know I can count on Patience for some pasta as well! Lobster Ravioli. Easy call to make for her too.

Lobster Ravioli

And she always orders Brussels sprouts too, which was the special side dish of the night. I will say I at least tried them. I'll leave it to the real fans though.

Brussels Sprouts

You KNOW we had cannoli for dessert!! Of course they had the other usual Italian desserts like tiramisu and gelato, not to mention after dinner drinks like an expresso martini and affogato.

Cannoli

Regardless, all they hype is true. Be sure to schedule a reservation at least two weeks in advance.

Resources:

Noto = https://www.notopizza.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

PW Pizza 4 Hands Beer Dinner 2021

The second PW Pizza beer dinner this month also featured another local brewery, and 4 Hands is one of Patience's favorites. There were no surprises as far as the beer was concerned, but one of our favorite pizzas is the Thanksgiving pizza that they serve every year in November.

4 Hands Lineup

We started off with the Ripple White Ale, which is probably my favorite beer by 4 Hands. Perfect patio pounder in the summer, and it was paired with a fall salad. With the apples, cranberries, and goat cheese, I was happy there were some leftovers the next day.

Fall Salad

The famous City Wide beer is too hoppy for me since it's an APA, but this is an everyday beer for Pai, This stood up with to the Popeye and Olive Oil Pizza. I'm guessing it was named that for the spinach? 

The Thanksgiving Pizza always has turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberries ON THE PIZZA, smothered in a brown gravy. It's actually quite delicious and this is probably our second favorite pizza of the year next to the prime rib pizza last month. With all those flavors mixed together, this was paired with the Incarnation IPA, which comes in at a whopping 7.0% ABV.

Popeye and Olive Oil Pizza (left) and Thanksgiving Feast Pizza (right)

Dessert wasn't chocolate this time, but the Chocolate Milk Stout, Pai's favorite beer by them unless you count the Peanut Butter version, did pair well with the Raspberry Torte.

Raspberry Torte

4 Hands Beer Dinner Menu

Resources:

PW Pizza = https://pwpizza.com/

4 Hands Brewery = https://4handsbrewery.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

La Pâtisserie Chouquette

To book end our half birthday celebrations, Julia and I FINALLY visited La Pâtisserie Chouquette and I am very sorry I waited so long. Definitely another St. Louis gem.

La Patisserie Chouquette

While it's easy to be distracted by all the beautiful macaroons in the first glass case...

Macaroons in so many colors!

The rest of the front case...

including the croissants (chocolate for me of course)!

Chocolate Croissant

Just be sure to take your time reviewing the shelves in the back as well! 

Various packaged treats on the back shelves...

That's where I found these adorable almond-type cookies for Patience.

Amaretti

Be sure to play tourist in your own city or when you need a gift. Or maybe a cute to spot to meet up with a friend. 

Resources:

La Pâtisserie Chouquette = https://www.simonefaure.com/

Big Macs & Burgundy Wine Class - #2

Since the first version of the Big Macs & Burgundy Wine Class was so popular, Beth from Cocktails R Go held another one in early November. This time, Patience and my wine club friends got to join me to make it even more fun!

The pairings were slightly different this time around, so it was still worthwhile for me to go again, other than the headliner of a Big Mac paried with a wine from Burgundy region of France. (Although I totally would have done it again no matter what!)

Big Mac paired with a wine from Burgundy

To kick the night off, we had bubbles paired with Crab Rangoon...all that acid was needed to cut through the cheesy insides of the appetizer.

Freixenet Brut Blanc de Blanc paired with Crab Rangoon

I never thought to pair a Chenin Blanc & Viognier blend with Mac & Cheese, but again, the wine cut through all the cheese, which Beth made herself. (I had seconds and thirds thanks to my tablemates.)

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc & Viognier blend paired with Mac 'n Cheese

A brilliant combinatin of Lambrusco, a jammy and sweeter red wine, paired with PB&J was magic to me. Beth also makes a damn fine PB&J with peanut butter on both top AND bottom breads.

Manicardi Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro D.O.C. paired with PB&J

And to finish off the night, Beth had discovered that a Tawny Port was able to match the sweetness of wedding cake (or any white cake). Well...what was left of Pai's cake. I definitely would have never thought to put those two together either.

Cockburns Fine Tawny Porto paired with white cake

Big Macs & Burgundy menu

This class is so awesome, that I decided to request a class of my own for our wine club!

Resources:

Big Macs & Burgandy = https://www.amazon.com/Big-Macs-Burgundy-Pairings-World/dp/1419744917

Cocktails Are Go = https://cocktails-are-go.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon