Booster's Cafe is hidden away on a little side street called Melville, which branches off the main U-City Loop drag of Delmar Boulevard. It's worth wandering off the main path to check out this little cafe. They focus on serving fair trade food and coffee, which means they use environmentally sustainable materials and search out suppliers that work with farmers that have access to financial aid for bad harvests and schools for their children. The cafe itself is a cozy place, small and friendly with fresh food and a familiar atmosphere. It's a great place to have a leisurely breakfast, a fresh lunch, or an indulgent dessert. -Rease Kirchner

Smoothie King is exactly what its name suggests: an excellent resource for amazing smoothies. When you walk in, the menu full of suggestions will overwhelm you. The knowledge that you can create your own combinations as well is almost too much. They have a wide variety of tasty smoothie treats, some just for fun, and some focused on specific health benefits. You can find protein smoothies, smoothies packed with natural energy boosters, immune system helpers, and plenty more. Smoothie King is all about being delicious and healthy. Just be careful with the sizes, since the larger sizes can pack a lot of calories and also just be way too much smoothie at one time. -Rease Kirchner

Fro-Yo is a tasty frozen yogurt parlor right in the heart of The Loop. They feature several self-serve machines with rotating flavors that you can mix and match to your heart's content. You can then visit the toppings bar and load up on fresh fruits, nuts, candies, cereals and more. Once you finish you pay by weight and take a seat indoors or outside to enjoy your low-calorie dessert before it melts. Watch out though, this place gets packed on weekends, so you might have to deal with a crowd and take your frozen yogurt to go.

Failoni's doesn't boast much in the way of decor, and it's open a mere 28 hours per week, but the food makes the place worth a visit and beckons the return of many regulars. The beer is always cold and the prices are cheap. The place is always crowded, so prepare for a short wait for both your table and your order. The live music is entertaining, featuring regular local performers weekly.

Pat's Bar and Grill is a friendly neighborhood establishment located in the Oakland Avenue neighborhood just west of Forest Park. People who live in the neighborhood stop by to have a drink, eat food or watch a game on TV with their friends. During football season, the St. Louis Rams hold court on the three TVs. The bar's special events for St. Patrick's Day and the Great Forest Park Balloon Race in September are not to be missed.

The Complex Night Club is one of the most sought after gay club in the city. Apart from a friendly staff and a vibrant atmosphere, this place is open for long hours after midnight. Besides happy hours, live music concerts by artists like Joe Gauthreaux, Kristine W and others also steal the show. The place also looks after your hunger needs with "Chill", a bar within the premises of the venue.

A tremendous brick structure occupying an entire city block, this once industrial warehouse has been transformed into an eating, living, and entertainment panacea in beautiful Lafayette Square. The food is only half the story, with traditional menu items like beef tenderloin, accompanied by eclectic alternatives like the Seafood Bouillabaisse and the Three Layer Terrine antipasto. On several nights of the week, SqWires features stellar local and national jazz, blues, and conversational bands. There's also an impressive banquet hall, suitable for weddings and large events. Some even live in the newly renovated lofts adjacent to the restaurant. The food and entertainment are upscale, but the staff and clientele create an atmosphere that is all about comfort, having fun, and eating well.

Known as the hottest nightspots of the city, Lobby Lounge in the Ritz Carlton Hotel is the place to be for a romantic night out. It has food selections, a Sushi Bar, and also live music. With afternoon tea served on the weekends, it reminds you of an elegant era gone by. A specially created menu to warm you up, try the Lump Crab Meat and Spinach Dip or the Toasted Pita, Tortilla Shards offered with crisp Breads. It also offers a great wine list with different martinis. One can enjoy live music, in one of the cozy couches or lounge chairs.

Have an exquisitely crafted, delicious meal at The Wine Room in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Its decor is brightly made-up, with mahogany storage racks along the walls. This largest dine-in wine cellar is the epitome of excellence with more than 7,000 labels and rare wines being offered. With its one of a kind original Italian mural of a vineyard; this place is a must-visit for wining, dining and the sunny ambiance.

Remy's is a cozy yet sophisticated wine bar, located in the heart of Clayton, caters mainly to a business clientele at lunch, followed later in the day by a lively mixed crowd of dinner patrons and late-night revelers. After nibbling on the tasty flatbread, try one of the excellent Mediterranean entrees. The popular hummus is a meal in itself. Also try the beef tenderloin with roasted garlic crabmeat demi-glaze. The wine list is impressive, and the service friendly. For dessert, try the outstanding bread pudding.