We are going to be in St. Louis for two nights staying at the Hyatt Regency, Union Station. We won't have a car, so we need restaurants within walking distance or a short cab ride. Does anyone have ideas? I understand that The Hill has great Italian, but is it too far from downtown? Thanks for you help.

The Hill has some of (a couple of) the best Italian restaurants in the US, part of the charm of which is their unique, family-owned atmosphere rather than 'institutional' ambience. But they aren't too close to downtown. Reasonable cab ride, but in somewhat residential areas.
I think Giovanni's is outstanding and highly recommend it. Reservations a must.
I'm not a fan of Tony's (gets more PR in some printed resources) Feels unpleasantly stuffy to me and I don't like the decor. Food is great though.
You didn't ask, but if you can stay at the Westin Cupples Station it is far better than the Hyatt. Westin is new with beautifully furnished, huge rooms and bathrooms and some of the most comfortable beds in the hotel business. The Hyatt is much older and very 'Econolodge' feeling the last couple times I stayed there (more than 3 years ago). It's only plus is it's attached to Union Station. The Westin, however, is only about 5 blocks away (across the street from Busch Stadium). The Westin is easily the best hotel in St. Louis (the Ritz is technically in Clayton).
Hope you have a great time.

For casual dining or lunch I would definately reccommend Charlie Gitto's downtown. He has a fancier place on the hill as well, but the downtown location is a very good choice for casual but very good Italian food. You should know that Union Station is really not downtown though. It is a bit of a hike downtown and to the arch and river front. I would strongly reccommend a cab especially in the evening. There are a number of different resturants in Union Station itself. I don't go to them myself because of the outrageous parking charge and the lack of validated parking.

Thanks for the ideas.

Dominic's on The Hill is another good one. Very traditional and romantic. See www.dominics.net. I believe I paid about $20 round trip for a cab, and I was staying across the street from the arch. It is a fairly short cab ride to The Hill.

Try Harry's on Market about 1-1/2 blocks from the Hyatt. They have excellent food and atmosphere....they have a great bar and if you go on Friday or Saturday, they will have a band.

There is a Dierdorf and Harts steakhouse in Union Station that was very good last time I was there.

I second Harry's. Very nice atmosphere and great food. Looks kind of nothing from the ouside but very nice inside. And the service is excellent. I would also pass on Tony's. Our waiter dumped an entire glass of red wine on my husband and barely apologized. Management grudgingly agreed to reimburse him for dry cleaning his suit. We had to toss his white dress shirt.

Yes for Harry's too! can walk.
A taxi ride into Clayton offers some upscale restuarants w/ atmosphere.
The Ritz, Smith& Slays, Shitake,and Remy's Wine bar just to name a few.
The Hill is great, can't walk though.
I would defineity get a night away from Union Station.

Do you want to spend big $$$? If so, Tony's is THE place to go. We walked in there a couple of years ago and asked the chef to order for us. It was one of the best meals we've ever had. In my opinion it deserves its 4 or 5 star rating.

Tonys is great but big $$$$. Clayton has some great places. Dont miss Cafe
Provencale.

Does the Famous Barr Department Store still exist in Clayton? Many years ago, they were well known for their French Onion Soup. Are they still? Also, does Rich & Charlies still exist? Great fettucine. Cyranos? Great roast beef sandwhiches and cheesecake. Maybe they are all jus memories.

famous-----gone
cyranos----gone
sad but true

I love Lombardo's italian restaurant in the drury right across the street from union station. was suprised because i did not expect a top notch restaurant with great ambience to be in a drury but it is. there is also a metro system that can take you around some parts of the city - might want to check out forest park and the zoo.

What is "The Hill"?

An Italian area in St. Louis.

Thanks!

http://www.the-hill.com/

http://www.slfp.com/ClaytonBusinessDist.html

Info for Clayton

And BTW there is no hill on "the hill"