Dinner or catering after Washington University hooding ceremony
 

My nephew's hooding ceremony is Friday May 20 in St. Louis. Through a series of events, his parents and brother can't be there (they will be at the wedding in Italy in August though, don't worry, no family estrangement).

I stood in for the parents at the Parent's Day at Davidson years ago, so i figure I'll be there for him at the conclusion of all these years of education as well. I also told him I would arrange a dinner that Friday night. Because April was a bit out of control for me, I am only able to do this now. I know it is late.

I am considering the restaurants below. Alternatively, if my brother and family are down from Chicago I might see about bringing in something to the house, but I don't live in St. Louis and don't know who might do small dinner catering, so am open to ideas.

Here are the restaurants I am considering:

Duffs
Pomme
Brasserie by Niche
Flemings*
Trattoria Marcella

*His mom says they like this place, but it does seem to be a bit spendier than the others. If I just take my nephew and his fiance, that will be fine, but if my brother and his family are there it may be beyond my pocketbook.

Who likes which restaurants and why?

Topping on the chance some St. Louis Fodorites are online tonight and would like to chime in.

Hope springs eternal. I'll top one last time in hopes that there is more weekend traffic including someone with suggestions.

1111 Mississippi looks intriguing too.

Oh, Hi, Toucan,

Yes! How sweet you can be here. I hope the weather's good. Congratulations to him!

We have eaten several times at Duff's and Trattoria Marcella, and like them both a lot. Also once at the pricier Niche, not the brasserie, and were impressed. Duff's is the homiest on your list, I think.

Duff's and 1111 Mississippi, an event sort of a place where you can't go wrong either, have the advantage of being in picturesque neighborhoods if you feel like a post-meal stroll.

Can I assume you're using the excellent search feature at saucemagazine.com , where you can enter things like and "outdoor seating" and also look for reviews/ratings?

PS: I just nosily looked at your profile. My husband's a major birder, and is in a warbler migration frenzy right now. Tower Grove and Kennedy Forest area of Forest Parks are both hot spots on Mississippi Flyway.

Hi stokebailey, I ended up also posting this in the lounge, hoping I would get a little more action :-) Thank you for the feedback on the restaurants. Yes, I've been checking out saucemagazine as well. There seem to be so many good choices! I'll have to settle on something and get reservations soon.

Yep, we have been over to Tower Grove for some birding. I love Forest Park. We spend most of April in Texas typically, and then May tends to be really busy with graduations and tennis so that we haven't gone over as often as we would like. In fact, it has been several years.

My husband is on the mobirds list serve so he gets regular updates. In fact, I just read this to him and he says there is a bailey that posts from Tower Grove...is that your husband?

HA! How funny. Sorry for extraneous advice if you're local.

Yes, that's my Bailey. He specializes in hearing them first. His big thrill this morning was the Philadelphia Vireo or maybe the Black Throated Blue, and I'm sure that will show up on MObirds.

No, we're not local exactly (other side of the state). I love the connections and I am glad you shared :-) I think the black-throated blue is such a pretty bird. Last year down at Sabine Woods there was one hanging around for days and I got to get really good looks. It was a lifer for me.

I live in STL - I would avoid Duff's - Had 2 very negative experiences here. It looks unique w/ antiques and lovely room but for a group they will put you in a large dreary new room - no ambiance, etc... Services stinks. Food - less than mediocre.

Pomme is very fun - small - great food! It feels like a Parisian Brasserie. Love it.

Brasserie by Niche has been voted one of the top restaurants in the country a couple of years ago - or some such accolades!! A little off the beaten path.

What part of the city will you be staying?

1111 Mississippi is good and fun!

Flemings is a chain - good but i think Ruths Chris is much better! It is in Clayton and they have a lovely courtyard w live music sometimes.

Let us know what you are leaning towards!

Thank you for the info annesherrod. My nephew lives near Forest Park and I will be staying in Creve Coeur (marriott points you know!)

I had what I think is a good idea last night. He LOVES the ribs from our local bbq joint. I am thinking maybe I will cart over a meal, take it to a friend's Thurs night, then have that dinner Friday night. I'll bring enough that he can invite friends. Then go out for lunch on Sat at one of the above. That might also solve the issue of trying to find reservations that Friday night.

That sounds fun and festive. Great idea!

Meanwhile I'm grateful for annesherrod's take on those spots.

Well, after all of that, they want to go to Schlafly's of all things. But, it's his night so if that is what he wants to do, there we go. Thank you for all your ideas. We do get to St. Louis from time to time anyway, so at least I will have those ideas in my back pocket.

Schlafleys is known for one of their deserts too - It is called sticky toffe pudding. Soemone said it is a receipe from a Scottish relative. It is fabulous and you can split in between a couple of people!

Have a great visit!!

I thought about you on Thursday, Toucan, as I crossed WU quad and saw all the folding chairs with little pools of rainwater in the seats. Then again yesterday when we ate at Thai Pizza Cafe, with all the grads strolling in the Loop with their families. I hope it all went well.

Hi stokebailey, it all went well. The grad school ceremony was actually inside the 360 Music building, so rain or shine we were okay. It was a nice ceremony and we are very proud. We ended up at Annie Gunn's. It was a great meal, great service, and then the general mgr and my brother bonded over some Chicago restaurants and they bought us desserts. I think the event was duly celebrated :-) Thank you for thinking of us!

Congrautlations Toucan2 - Annie Gunns is one of my favs!

Stokebaily - where is Thai Pizza Cafe?? Is that on campus?