On a recent Saturday morning I caught up with a Savor Saint Louis Food Tour as tour guide and CWEnder Anna Cardot (middle, with name tag) greeted a group of 12 tour-goers outside Left Bank Books. The enthusiastic participants came from near (Kansas City) and far (Miami). The couple from Miami were in town for a wedding and said they look for food tours wherever they travel. “It’s an interesting and delicious way to discover out-of-the-way restaurants we wouldn’t find otherwise,” they said. Between stops at 5 CWE restaurants during the 3-hour Savor Saint Louis tour, they also learn a bit about the history and architecture of the neighborhood.
Savor Saint Louis is the creation of mother/daughter entrepreneurs Jennifer Smith Schmid and Susie Smith. Since the launch of the business in 2013 (see post here), hundreds of people have enjoyed the experience and have posted wonderful reviews on Trip Advisor. Savor Saint Louis has since expanded to The Loop, and starting this fall will add restaurants in a 3rd location, Downtown St. Louis.
The CWE tour starts at 11 a.m. on Friday or Saturday (private tours can be arranged other days of the week). The 1st stop is Dressel’s, where participants are served Porchetta “Louie,” a favorite menu item featured on the reality show Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. Then it’s off to Pi Pizza for slices of thick and thin pizza, and, on Fridays, to Gamlin Whiskey House, and Saturdays to SubZero for specialty items at the Gamlin Brothers establishments. Bar Italia, another local favorite, is also on the tour. After tour-goers leave Bar Italia, they walk to the last stop of the day, Handcrafted by Bissinger’s, where they are offered a sampling of signature chocolates and a delicious iced cocoa.
I am pleased to announce that Meredith Hamm has won a Savor Saint Louis tour for 2. Here are Meredith’s choices for CWE restaurants that aren’t on the food tour that you should try:
“In response to your blog post about the St. Louis food tours, I would actually recommend two different restaurants!
Jeni’s Ice Cream – the unusual but wonderful flavors of ice cream are to die for… and it’s hard to walk by while they’re cooking the waffle cones without wanting to stop. 2. Juniper – there’s something really comforting about their soul food with a twist. I love the meat plus 3 option on Mondays!”
Savor Saint Louis, Friday & Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., private tours available, $52 per person, children’s tour prices upon request.
P.S. – The tours make wonderful gifts for out-of-town guests too.