There’s never been a better time to order takeout. Almost every restaurant across the region now offers a form of takeout and delivery, but some are going above and beyond with new dishes – and, in some cases, entirely new menus – designed to taste just as good out of a to-go box as they do in the restaurant. Whether you want to enjoy an elegant three-course meal on your grandma’s china or dig into a pizza made by a fine-dining chef on the floor, these 20 takeout options will bring the restaurant experience home to you.
Barred Owl Butcher & Table: Pecorino gnudi
Barred Owl specializes in seasonal dishes made with high-quality local ingredients, and its takeout menu is no exception. Case in point? The luxurious Pecorino gnudi with aged balsamic, roasted mushrooms, fried sage and an earthy white wine-brown butter sauce. barredowlbutcher.com
Cafe Berlin: Pulled pork hash
No more waiting in line to score a table at Cafe Berlin – now you can savor one of Columbia’s best brunches on your couch. Indulge your mid-morning cravings with the pulled pork hash made with Patchwork Family Farms pork, roasted potatoes with sautéed peppers and onions and a soft-poached egg, all served with chipotle mayonnaise and a slice of Uprise Bakery rye bread. cafeberlincomo.com
Cafe Poland: Lecho
Cafe Poland is perhaps best known for its pierogies, but its lecho will make any cold winter night more enjoyable. The stick-to-your-ribs stew is loaded with spicy bell peppers and Polish sausage, served alongside mashed potatoes. facebook.com/Cafe-Poland-319144234869858
Park Restaurant & Bar: Coconut curry rice bowl
Say goodbye to boring salads and opt for the coconut curry rice bowl from Park, featuring sautéed cabbage, carrots, celery, Brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and broccoli tossed in a coconut curry sauce and served over jasmine rice. In need of protein? The ahi tuna plays perfectly into this flavor profile. dineatpark.com
Sycamore: Beef short ribs
Claiming a permanent spot on the menu in 2005, the beef short ribs are a staple at Sycamore – and it’s no surprise why. Braised in Belgian-style ale and served with caramelized onions and mashed potatoes, you’ll be tempted to order the double plate. sycamorerestaurant.com
Blue Bird Bistro: House-cured salmon
A refreshing play on bagels and lox, the house-cured salmon at Blue Bird Bistro spotlights wild Alaskan salmon cured with lime, jalapeño, onion and tequila and served with quark from Hemme Brothers Creamery, capers and triangles of toast. bluebirdbistro.com
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room: Fried rice
Fried rice is a fixture on Corvino’s menu, although the ingredients vary depending on the season – and the mood of the cooks in the kitchen. A recent vegan iteration included poblano peppers, leeks, tofu “chorizo” and fried elephant garlic. corvino.com
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Rotating three-course meal
The Kauffman Dining Experience: At Home offers a rotating three-course meal that promises to dazzle diners no matter the season. This month, the Valentine’s Day-themed menu for two features vichyssoise, pan-seared Hatfield strip steak with a lobster risotto cake and spiced pear Bavarian cream for dessert. kauffmancenter.org
Observation Pizza: The Robert Marley
The Robert Marley from Observation Pizza piles pickled mushrooms, roasted sweet potato, local greens, pine nuts and ricotta on top of a garlic oil base that’s finished with Grana Padano, sea salt and olive oil. Is this love? We think so. observationpizza.com
Queen Sweets and Mediterranean Grill: Mashawi Mix Plate Single
With the Mashawi Mix Plate Single, diners get a real sense of what Queen Sweets has to offer. Skewers of lamb, white-meat chicken and kofta shish kebabs alongside saffron rice, salad, hummus, grilled vegetables and pita bread create quite the feast. queensweetsofmediterranean.com
Farmers Gastropub: Bacon-miso-mushroom mac 'n' cheese
Packing umami in every bite, the bacon-miso-mushroom mac ‘n’ cheese at Farmers Gastropub is a far cry from anything you’ve made out of a box. farmersgastropub.com
Niji Sushi Bar & Grill: Chicken teriyaki bento box
Sometimes thinking inside the box is a good thing. The teriyaki chicken bento box from Niji packs a ton of flavor into a convenient package with a four-piece California roll, two gyoza, a house salad and white or fried rice. nijisushigrill.com
Progress: Wok-seared cabbage
Think you hate cabbage? The wok-seared cabbage at Progress just might change your mind. Served over roasted cabbage purée with pickled apple, lime and hazelnut salsa macha, the exquisite dish will banish any bad memories of the vegetable. springfieldprogress.com
Secret Sandwich Shop: The Prosciutto Happiness
Secret Sandwich Shop believes that everyone has the right to life, liberty and The Prosciutto Happiness. Made with crisped prosciutto, sliced chicken, melted Provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, lettuce, housemade ranch and Cuban bread, each bite of this sandwich will bring you joy. secretsandwichsgf.com
Tortilleria Perches: Tamale family pack
When you have a lot of mouths to feed, the tamale family pack from Tortilleria Perches will do the trick. After divvying up the 24 tamales (chicken, pork or a mix), rice, beans and gallon of sweetened or unsweetened tea, you’ll have a table full of happy campers. tortilleriaperches.com
Brasas by Original J’s: Pollo a la brasa
Original J’s Tex-Mex BBQ recently introduced Brasas by Original J’s, bringing Peruvian ember-roasted chicken to St. Louis. Available Wednesday through Sunday, the wildly popular pollo a la brasa pairs a juicy roast chicken with fries, salad and a bevy of colorful sauces, including aji verde, crema de rocoto and a family recipe for salsa a la huancaína. originaljs.com
Chiang Mai: Sakoo sai moo
Housemade sakoo sai moo is hard to come by in St. Louis. Luckily, we now have Chiang Mai, where the masterful tapioca dumplings – filled with minced pork and peanuts – combine soft, chewy and crunchy textures in one bite. chiangmaistl.com
Elmwood: Taco pizza
The taco pizza from Elmwood boasts the best of both worlds. With a base of shredded mozzarella, Cheddar and a liberal drizzle of taco sauce, it’s topped with dry-aged seasoned ground beef, serrano-spiced crema, chopped red onion, tomato, lettuce and crunchy tortilla strips for a mouthwatering mash-up. elmwoodstl.com
Juniper: Chicken biscuit sandwich
Juniper’s chicken biscuit sandwich takes the restaurant’s coveted biscuit recipe to the next level. Featuring succulent, brined fried chicken between buttery biscuit halves, it’s a casual bite that’s perfectly executed. Snag one on any given Sunday between 9 and 11am. junipereats.com
Sidney Street Cafe: Beef tenderloin dinner for two
Thanks to a new curbside pickup program, dinner from Sidney Street Cafe doesn’t have to be reserved for only special occasions. The beef tenderloin dinner for two – available five days a week – comes with medium-rare tenderloin, two house salads, a choice of sides such as roasted potatoes or mixed vegetables and cookies for an elegant evening in. sidneystreetcafestl.com
