Photo by Cristina M. Fletes (Post-Dispatch)
Retreat Gastropub
One of 2018’s most anticipated debuts was Yellowbelly, the new venture from Retreat Gastropub’s Travis Howard and Tim Wiggins. Anticipation for Yellowbelly started building even before Howard and Wiggins announced the involvement of “Top Chef” celebrity chef Richard Blais, thanks to the standard Retreat had already set. The restaurant has maintained that standard into 2019 under new executive chef Adam Bingham, with its deftly executed, deceptively casual American fare and Wiggins’ inspired cocktail creations (including a few with lower-than-usual ABV). Since last year’s STL 100, I’ve eaten both lunch and brunch here and was impressed on each occasion that Retreat keeps its standards high no matter the time of day.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday-Sunday (closed Tuesday)
Last year's ranking: Rest of the Best
Opened: 2015