hit list 5 new places to try this month

opposite page: maine lobster tail thermidor at katie's pizza at ballpark village, this page, from top: ranch ribeye alla fiorentina and a ruby red rosemary spritz cocktail at katie's pizza at ballpark village

The gorgeous Katie’s Pizza & Pasta inside of Ballpark Village is an artfully designed, 10,000-square-foot space featuring beautiful paintings, sculptures and a grand marble-and-quartzite bar. The space, though massive, is warm and inviting; the open pasta station allows guests to watch pasta being cut and filled while the open kitchen at the back provides the perfect soundtrack for a busy restaurant.

The secondi menu is unique to the restaurant group and offers large, over-the-top plates perfect for sharing. The ranch ribeye alla Fiorentina is a 24-ounce bone-in ribeye presented sliced with crispy fingerling potatoes, arugula salad and a taleggio cheese fondue for dipping. This is meat and potatoes supersized and fancified. The stunning Maine lobster tail thermidor sees tender, sweet pieces of lobster folded in a creamy sauce and presented inside the lobster shell topped with salmon caviar, dill and tarragon. It’s the kind of dish that makes others turn and watch as it’s walked to your table. The tempura-fried whole branzino is also a showstopper, plated with a salad and salsa verde. Other dishes like oysters Fellini (raw oysters with caviar), chicken Parmigiano with Fontina and prosciutto, and seared, skin-on king salmon with chickpea and summer vegetable stew, are new to the menu as well.

751 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314.942.2416, katiespizzaandpasta.com

Black Salt

Start your meal with the samosa chaat, potato samosas lashed with sweet, tangy tamarind chutney and a fresh and spicy blast of mint chutney. A cool drizzle of plain yogurt works to chill the underlying heat of the samosa’s chiles and cumin laced potato filling. There’s a variety of biryanis (spiced rice dishes) like goat, paneer, or lamb; our favorites were the chicken and best of all, the veggie. The breads here were fabulous; if you’re feeling adventurous, try the garlic-truffle naan or the chile-garlic naan which were standouts. The assorted bread basket comes with garlic and plain naan and also a flaky paratha, a more neutral option that easily went with saucy main dishes like ajwaini bhindi, sauteed okra glazed in a tomato-based sauce, or a rich rogan josh made with lamb.

1709 Clarkson Road, Chesterfield, 636.204.6441, blacksaltstl.com

The Preston at the Chase Park Plaza has finally reopened after a yearslong, pandemic-related hiatus with a new focus on French fine dining. The pretzel croissants (one of the few items ported over from the previous menu) are as delicious as ever –buttery, flaky pieces of the pastry tear off with ease to scoop up a dollop of heavenly housemade jam. The jam varies seasonally, but the strawberry iteration we tried was so succulent, we had to have another portion brought to the table.

We also enjoy the terrine de canard, a duck-and-bacon meatloaf studded with dried cherries and pistachios. When combined with a bit of each of the accompanying accouterments – cornichons, crusty bread, poached figs, endive and grain mustard – it made a delightful savory bite. The roasted chicken served atop a bed of pommes dauphinoise (similar to potatoes au gratin) and crispy pancetta was moist and tender.

The welcome revival of this particular corner of Midtown gathers momentum with this bright and airy café and bar. High ceilings, leafy plants and floor-toceiling windows set the scene for an enjoyable brunch from a menu largely inspired by owner Anita Abdul-Karim’s Lebanese heritage. The zaatar toast can comfortably be split between two: It features crusty sourdough spread with the eponymous Middle Eastern spice blend and topped with cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumber and feta. Ful medames is a traditional breakfast dish combining warmed fava and garbanzo beans infused with flavor – garlic, cumin and parsley – and comfort in equal measure. For added enjoyment, tear off a piece of the accompanying pita bread and spoon some of the ful on top. Fatteh layers pita chips in a stew of garbanzo beans, eggplant and bell peppers, with yogurt and nuts lending extra flavor and texture. The drink list includes rose lattes and Arabic coffee alongside espresso drinks, and there are cocktails if you’re in celebratory mood.

2700 Locust St., St. Louis, anitacafeandbar.square.site

Red Chili has opened in a former Romano’s Macaroni Grill located inside the parking lot complex at the Chesterfield Mall. Both the space and the menu are huge, with sections like Tandoor appetizers, small plates, dal, dosa, main courses; the list goes on with over 100 items. Look for fusion dishes like the Afghani chicken or the gobi Manchurian, both from the IndoChinese section of the menu. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Andhra chicken curry, a spicy, tangy sauce with big chunks of tender chicken that’s best eaten with their butter naan 963