Photo by Hillary Levin (Post-Dispatch)
Pangea
When Jessie Gilroy opened Pangea in St. Charles’ planned New Town community in 2017, she served thoughtful modern American fare with (as the name Pangea suggests) global touches. Jerk seasoning here, Thai red-curry paste there. If you look at the menu today, you’ll see descriptions of more straightforward fare, and you might describe Pangea as a neighborhood restaurant. That suits Gilroy, who told me in a phone interview this winter that she still applies those global touches here and there — she just doesn’t advertise them. Regardless, the talent Gilroy burnished at Charlie Gitto’s, the Tavern Kitchen & Bar and Sidney Street Café is evident in the care of seasoning and execution she applies to a comforting tomato soup or the Steak ’n Shake-esque Frisco burger.
Hours: Dinner Monday-Saturday, brunch Sunday (closed Tuesday)
Last year's ranking: Rest of the Best
Opened: 2017