Hi-Pointe Drive-In

I had a day off so that meant a chance for a good lunch! Since this was my first time, I went with my favorites, but I certainly hope to go back some time to try all the other items!

I got a double patty... I think a single would have been fine!

Hamburger double patty with cheddar

Washed it all down with a  cold chocolate shake. Perfect for summertime!

Chocolate Shake

I had to save the mac and cheese side for later... way too much.

Mac and Cheese

All the sandwiches that came out seemed pretty huge so you can share them for sure.

I even wanted to try some of the specials on the board... so bring some friends so you can try a few things!

Specials Board

Resources:

Hi-Point Drive-In = http://hipointedrivein.com/

PW Pizza Oskar Blues Beer Dinner 2017

I believe Oskar Blues has done a PW Pizza beer dinner recently in the past, but looking through my blog, I don't see that I've attended one, so their beers are fairly new to me. I do see 'em in the store all the time.

A cleverly named Mamma's Little Pils started things off. Still a little too hoppy for me at 35 IBUs. This was paired with a beautiful Radish Trifecta Salad.

Mamma's Little Pils

The Priscilla American Wit (where fun and fantasy meet?) really helped cut through all the goat cheese on the "Wheat Wit?" Pizza. Of course the Wheat Crust was used for this one!

"Wheat Wit?" Pizza

The high ABV (8.7%) and high IBU (60) G'Knight was definitely needed to cut through the Romesco Sauce on the Charred Shishito Pizza. Monterey Jack, chicken, corn, and red onion made for a heavy pizza.

Charred Shishito Pizza

And the funniest laugh was for the Old Chub Scottish Ale served with the dessert course: Caramel Apple Crisp with Whipped Cream.

Caramel Apple Crisp with Whipped Cream

Certainly a brewery that doesn't take themselves too seriously!

Resources:

PW Pizza = http://pwpizza.com/

Oskar Blues Brewery = https://www.oskarblues.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Snax Gastrobar

Unfortunately, this restaurant has closed.

Since Snax is another Stanley and Arlene Browne restaurant, the cocktail menu, wine list, and draught beers list is well done.

Rieger 75 cocktail for me...bottle of wine for Jamie and Shannon....and a beer for Patience. Everyone was happy!

Rieger 75

I went with my usual attack of focusing on the small plates for the first time at a new place. I ordered two starters: Pickled Bits and Cheesy Bits!

Awesome cheeses: Morbier, an aged cheddar, and a triple creme. Heavenly. Fairly upscale for a "casual" restaurant.

(Why yes, there ARE Meaty Bits and Bar Kibble for more fun dish names to say!)

Pickled Bits

Cheesy Bits

I was leaning towards ordering a sandwich until I heard that the "seasonal vegetable salad" was an heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella and basil.

Heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella and basil

Our server said that Meatloaf and the Burger were their best sellers and Patience had a hankering for meatloaf, so that worked out. It is a blend of beef and pork with a sweet and spicy glaze and included mashed potatoes, green beans, and carrots!

Meatloaf

Shannon stepped up and ordered the double patty burger with cheese, which I got a third of (AND SO MANY FRIES!!!)

Burger

Jamie appeared content with the BLT, but I was just happy I got his fries too! :)

BLT

With a healthy main course, I also added a side of Mac N Cheese. I had to take most of this home and it made for a perfect lunch the next day!

Mac N Cheese

Since I was pretty full, I had to settle for a "shooter" of ice cream. Isn't it cute?!?!?! Baby scoop of chocolate Serendipity ice cream!!

Ice Cream Shooter

Jamie and Shannon were all in with three scoops of Cookie Monster ice cream. (It's not just for kids!!)

Cookie Monster ice cream

And Patience managed to finish off her Creme Brulee with no problem.

Creme Brulee

It was a beautiful evening and we sat outside at picnic tables. (Sorry for all the shadows in the pictures.) Since it is more of a casual place, kids were everywhere so just a heads up that it's not near as fancy as the last two restaurants that stood at this location.

Resources:

Snax = https://www.snaxstl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

Half & Half Brunch

Since I "food cheated" and snuck off to Sardella's for breakfast last week before work, I agreed to take Patience to the hottest brunch spot in town, Half & Half.

This place is ALWAYS busy so you must use the NoWait app. We got in line from bed. Not only did we have an hour wait to kill, but then we had a half hour wait for our food.

But now I can see why so many people want to eat there. It was amazing.

Even though there were pancakes AND French Toast, Patience chose the sausage biscuit. Look how tall that thing is! On top of the house made sausage is cheddar, scrambled eggs, and aioli.

Sausage biscuit

My Cali omelette was actually a reasonable size and came with a ton of guacamole and tomatoes on top. I didn't even need to eat too many potatoes. I'm still eating the potatoes days later. hehe

Cali Omelette

A great place to try once or if you can go super early...

Resources:

Half & Half = http://www.halfandhalfstl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

PW Pizza 4 Hands Beer Dinner 2017

We were really looking forward to the 4 Hands beer dinner since it's a favorite! Unfortunately, they did not serve Patience's all-time favorite beer, Chocolate Milk Stout. Instead, they did pour their (newer) beers that probably went the best with pizza.

The first course was actually my favorite... it's potato salad...deconstructed. Almost too pretty to eat! This was paired with the newest beer, City Wide Pils. This just screams summer time!

Potato Salad - Deconstructed

As someone who loves Toasted Ravs, this didn't quite stand up to how I thought it would taste. I think this needed some marinara dipping sauce! Paired with a City Wide Pale Ale, this one screamed St. Louis. hehehe

Toasted Ravioli Pizza

The Monte Cristo Pizza, on my favorite Honey Wheat Crust, was the winner as it was piled high with gruyere, ham, turkey, and a cinnamon Raspberry Jalapeno Sauce to give it a sweet finish. The Incarnation IPA stood up to the meats, but you know I prefer to let the pizza shine here. No screaming necessary.

Monte Cristo Pizza

The delicious Cast Iron Oatmeal Brown is great for dessert and it was well paired with donut holes with Goshen coffee for dipping.

Goshen Coffee & Donut Holes

Menu

Resources:

PW Pizza = http://pwpizza.com/

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

Photos by Patience Scanlon