St. Louis' Municipal Theatre (the Muny) is an outdoor theater that has been nestled in the heart of St. Louis' Forest Park since 1917. Every summer, the theater hosts concerts, musicals and other events. You can spend a balmy night in St. Louis enjoying dinner and the Muny. With the theater right in the center of the city, depending on the kind of food you seek, you have numerous options--casual dining, fine dining, or simply desserts before or after the show.
The Boathouse Forest Park restaurant was originally a boathouse for the lakes and ponds that run through Forest Park. While it still rents out paddle boats and rowboats, it also offers casual dining right on the lake. On any given night, you'll see a mix of theater-goers, people coming from some of Forest Park's other attractions or bike riders taking a break with a cold beer and quick snack. Try the BBQ Brisket sandwich or the Buffalo Chicken pizza--both are worth the longer wait you get on Muny production nights. On those nights, it's not a bad idea to call ahead for reservations.
The Atlas Restaurant is in the nearby Central West End neighborhood, located to the north and west of Forest Park. Atlas is known for its French and Italian menu at reasonable prices, which includes favorites like the Marinated Beet Salad and Rigatoni with Savory Herb Meatballs. However, Atlas's real draw is the desserts: try the Marjolaine--a hazelnut and almond meringue with dark chocolate.
To start with some fine fine dining before you head to the Muny, try The Tenderloin Room, located inside the historic Chase Park Plaza Hotel. The Tenderloin Room is big on atmosphere--dim lights, leather booths and hardwood surfaces with some big band standards quietly playing in the background. The Tenderloin Room specializes in steak, but you can also find lamb, veal and other entrees.
