summer lovin'

Summer makes this city look pretty darn good. The warm weather beckons citizens to City Garden, the Botanical Garden, and the Zoo. However, my ideal summer day right here in my hometown would be much more relaxed, and with far fewer crowds. My day would start at noon-- I haven’t been waking up much earlier than that.

Ice cream for breakfast is a small child’s dream, and during the summer, it’s a reality. Mr. Wizard’s on Big Bend has it all, from custard and yogurt to concretes and sundaes. They even have pretzels and chips for the fans of salty snacks. Mr. Wizard’s is like an enlarged stand: you order at one window, pick up at another, and sit outside at picnic tables to enjoy. There is pretty much always a line, but not at noon! Mr. Wizard’s has been a tradition for many years now, and my order hasn’t changed much. I either get a vanilla custard kiddie cone or a root beer float, but Ben is much more adventurous. He usually gets a concrete of some sort, but this writer wouldn’t know anything about that. What’s truly charming is that Mr. Wizard’s feels like a secret place that only locals go to, but its location begs to differ. I always run in to someone I know-- or, at least, a friendly dog. Besides the people, what keeps me coming back is the quality; Mr. Wizard’s has the best ice cream that I have yet to find in STL.

Next on my to-do list is Shaw Park’s pool. Located near the northernmost end of Brentwood, this pool has a very serene vibe about it; it’s surrounded by the green of Shaw Park. The fee to get in is minimal, even for those who aren’t Clayton residents. The pool is always well kept, which must be a slightly daunting task, at the very least. The size of the big blue beats most others in the 314. Shaw park’s pool also has a diving tank with 2 diving boards and 3 platforms-- for the brave. And of course, the snack stand has all the summer favorites: pretzels, frozen lemonade, and Ring Pops for a quarter. Those are definitely a favorite among younger kids, or Ben and I when we’re feeling young. When it’s time to grow into my true age, I lay out for a while to tan. Shaw Park has many lounges and chairs, and the hunt for a group of empty ones is difficult, but not impossible. Once you stake your claim, they’re yours for the day. And if you find yourself unlucky, there’s a huge structure that’s reminiscent of permanent bleachers. It’s available for sitting, laying out, and reading, but the use of a towel as a cushion is a must. Shaw Park is my favorite pool because it doesn’t have to have slides or other bells and whistles; it is what it is. Simplicity can definitely be beautiful.

After a few hours in and out of the water, it would be time to clean up just a little bit and head over to Pointer’s. This incredibly small pizza place is home to the incredibly large Pointasaurus, a huge pizza that people win prizes for finishing. The boxes that these things come in are frightening enough; it is only teenage boys that would dare take on all the food inside. Indeed, it’s quite a feast. Pointer’s is one of the best places to get pizza in my hometown (other favorites are La Pizza and the obligatory Imo’s). Pointer’s is also one of the smallest venues to get pizza in my hometown. They probably don’t seat more than 15 people, tops. To make up for that, they’re open until 2 AM, and they do deliver. I always get fresh garlic bread with their pizza, it’s that much of a perfect pair. Pointer’s also serves wings and pastas, neither of which I’ve tried. Their pizza is so outstanding, it’s easy to get distracted. The wonder Pointer’s also comes with the people who work the counter. The guys are always nice, and they don’t seem to hate working in food. Pointer’s is on Big Bend near the intersection at Clayton, and it is a must.

To finish off the night, I’d go for a walk in my neighborhood, and I wouldn’t miss out on Oak Knoll Park. It’s also at the intersection of Big Bend and Clayton, so getting there on a full stomach wouldn’t be too trying of a task. Oak Knoll may be small, but it is home to 2 playgrounds and a beautiful fountain. One of my favorite things to do is take a blanket there and just enjoy the scenery. Or, if Ben would let me beat him at a few card games, I’d take that opportunity as well. Oak Knoll is very relaxing, and it becomes more beautiful as the night goes on and the lights from the street create pretty little shadows all over the grass. True locals always cut through the gate into the neighborhood; there are about 3 ways to do it. But since these entrances are harder to find at night, I’d enjoy a nice long walk down Big Bend and then down Wydown, perhaps one of the most lovely streets in STL. The canopy of trees, the sporadically placed streetlights, the green meridian: it all adds up to the lush of summer.

Thus ends my perfect day. If you’re in the neighborhood, you know what to do.

Stay cool, St. Louis.

a good ol' cup of joe

Good hot dogs are covered. But what about coffee? Indeed, it is a real challenge to find a place with the right atmosphere and good brews to boot. Ben raves about the once-was Soma’s, a joint up in NoCo that he frequented. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been around for a few years; thus, we are constantly on the hunt for places that are acceptable. Three stand out in my memory, and with good reason.

Kaldi’s is a favorite among a select group of kids from my school district. On finals nights, you can always find small groups huddled around tables and steaming mugs. This is the original Kaldi’s: located on DeMun, it offers an inviting and relaxed space for any and all people (who doesn’t love classical music?). Beware the morning rush! Kaldi’s is loved for more than its atmosphere. There are 4 different types of coffee offered, along with a wide assortment of other lattes and cappucinos and frappucinos. Ben and I can always agree on their chai latte, iced or not. The beautiful thing about Kaldi’s is that they offer a bottomless mug of their regular coffees, and for only $3, it’s worth it if you plan on spending some time there. When I don’t go there to study, I go there just to hang out, read, or watch people (there’s one guy who I always see there, and I enjoy inventing stories for him). Kaldi’s is open until 11 everyday but Sunday, automatically beating out Starbucks. Not to mention, Starbucks coffee is just not good. Kaldi’s is clearly the winner, every time. Especially their original location.

Meshuggah’s in the loop is another good choice. Also open until 11, they offer a very artsy atmosphere. The furniture is so mismatched that you feel like you’re in the apartment of a newly emancipated 18-year-old, but in a good way! The upstairs is definitely coveted, featuring a couch and some very comfortable chairs. Meshuggah’s is so chill that they let you pay on your way out. However, I don’t study here. They play good music-- a nice change of pace from the classical-- but it can be distracting. And generally, the hubbub is not so hushed. Meshuggah’s is the place to go have coffee with friends as a nice break from going on adventures in the loop. Ben highly recommends their espresso, and I’m a fan of their mochas. Either way, you can’t go wrong; I still prefer them over Starbucks, even if Starbucks is right down the street and has outdoor seating. Starbucks is coffee, incorporated, while Meshuggah’s is coffee so unincorporated that they’re allowed to do cool things that make them better. Major kudos.

Coffee Cartel emerges as our number 1 pick. Located on a busy corner in the CWE (central west end, for all the non-natives), the Cartel has outdoor seating year-round and a crowd 24/7. Perhaps it’s because they’re open 24/7. Ben and I can order pretty much anything on their menu without fear that we’ll be stuck with something we won’t like. The Cartel also has more affordable food options-- which we definitely take advantage of. They sell rice krispy blocks, big cookies, ice cream, brownies, and blondies, along with other snacky foods like pretzels and pizza. Coffee Cartel is friendly towards smokers and pool-players. Essentially, Coffee Cartel is the best place to hang out for young people looking for something to do (besides get drunk). The atmosphere may seem a bit sterile with the white walls and bright lights, but there are always people there. And there are always people outside, making the Cartel a wonderful place to people-watch. What really draws us in is our ability to waste time there without even realizing it. Grab something to do and a drink, and you could be gone for hours.

With all these great, local options for coffee, neither Ben nor I can understand why Starbucks locations around the 314 still get any business. We always take ours elsewhere.

Stay cool, St. Louis.