Photo by Laurie Skrivan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The Crossing
Now into its 17th year, the Crossing refuses to coast on its reputation. Jim Fiala’s Clayton establishment is a vital part of the St. Louis restaurant community, a place where the well-traveled gourmand and a couple just hoping for a sure-thing Rare Night Out will enjoy their meals. Fiala and chef Brad Watts serve a seasonally driven menu that smartly balances slam-dunk favorites (crab cakes, seared scallops, the blue-cheese soufflé serve as an amuse bouche) with both old-school elegance (beef tenderloin with a bordelaise sauce) and more of-the-moment fare (octopus, game, crudo). The Crossing offers three tasting menus. The basic version, at $35 per person for four courses, is a tremendous value. The premium version, also four courses, is $50. Those with an appetite and adventurous spirit might consider the grand tasting menu, $85 for (at least) seven or eight courses. Great service and a dining room that actual grown-ups can enjoy set the Crossing even further apart from the pack.