A Day And A Night in… St. Louis.

Whether it’s good brew, great sports, fantastic food or fun times for all, there’s all sorts of things to do. This month’s feature looks at ways to enjoy yourself in the city under the Gateway Arch.

Soaring to new heights.
The famous Gateway Arch is a must-see for everyone. Whether you’re traveling for business, entertaining a sweetheart, or showing the family around -- make plans to visit the popular attraction. Trams for the top leave every 10 minutes and hold up to five people in each one. Once you’re at the top, feel free to shoot video or catch pictures. Best time to go? Early in the morning, before it gets busy.
Gateway Arch * Washington Avenue at the Riverfront * (877) 982-1410 * gatewayarch.com

Enjoying the Riverfront.
Pair up your visit to the Riverfront with a stroll through Laclede’s Landing. This entertainment district north of the Arch is packed with interesting stores and restaurants and lots of events. Catch a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or walk the cobbled historic streets and investigate some of the many area venues.
Laclede’s Landing * North of the Gateway Arch * (314) 241-5875 * lacledeslanding.com

Relax at the Park.
One of the oldest parks in the United States, Forest Park is more than 500 acres larger than New York City’s Central Park. It’s home to many of the city’s best known attractions, including the Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center, and Muny Opera. It’s also where you’ll find the world-famous St. Louis Zoo, which is open free to the public.
St. Louis Zoo * One Government Drive * (314) 781-0900 * stlzoo.org

Take a Romantic Walk.
A 19th century brainstorm from Henry Shaw, the Missouri Botanical Gardens is considered one of the top three gardens of its sort in the world.

Among its 79 acres you’ll find everything from a Japanese paradise to an English Woodland Garden; the Climatron, which is home to 1500 types of rainforest plants; and an extensive children’s garden full of places to play.

Through October, the Gardens will feature artwork by Niki de Saint Phalle.
Missouri Botanical Gardens * 4344 Shaw Blvd. * (800) 642-8842 * mobot.org

What’s more romantic than a walk with butterflies? The Butterfly House in Faust Park celebrates the popular colored winged instrument with exhibits, a butterfly garden, and an extensive indoor tropical rainforest facility with hundreds of exotic flying creatures.
The Butterfly House * 15193 Olive Boulevard in Chesterfield * (636) 530-0076 * butterflyhouse.org

Fun for the Child at Heart.
It may surprise you to find that everything inside the City Museum is recycled -- from the art to the materials used to build the exhibits themselves. But the fun is all brand new. Take the kids or be one yourself for hours of fun as you investigate living creatures, fascinating sculpture, and working machines in a facility run entirely on power from renewable sources.
City Museum * 701 N. 15th Street * (314) 231-CITY * citymuseum.org

City of Sports
You can’t miss out on a good time watching the 10 time World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. The popular Redbirds play at Busch Stadium, one of the newest in Major League Baseball, and they’ve been red hot these past few years.

Fans can splurge on great and unusual concessions like toasted ravioli, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, stir fried Asian dishes with peanuts, garlic fries, and turkey legs. The park offers all sorts of pricing options from suites to seats, from solo tickets to family packs.

For the more comprehensive Redbird experience, take the tour. Stadium tours are available every day of the week (except during special events) on the half hour between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Be sure to check out the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum.
St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium * 700 Clark Street * stlouiscardinals.com

Football more your thing? The Saint Louis Rams take the field this fall for another great season. Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt and the rest of this year’s team are primed for action at Edward Jones Dome, just across I-70 from Laclede’s Landing. If you’re planning to root for the Blue and Gold this year, purchase your parking when you purchase your ticket. Or park and ride the Metrolink.
St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Dome * 901 North Broadway * (314) 342-5201 * stlouisrams.com

Hockey more your thing? Catch a game at Scottrade Center and hit the ice with the Saint Louis Blues. Jump in on the fun traditions -- like free tacos for attendees the day after a game where the Blues score five goals, or the “Towel Man” and the fist pump and towel throw every time the Blues score.
St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center * 1401 Clark Avenue * stlouisblues.com

Land of 1000 Dishes
St. Louis claims dozens of original dishes that have become part of the culinary lexicon in America. Among the more famous:
Toasted Ravioli (known locally as “T Ravs”)
Pork Steaks: pork butt sliced as a steak, often served with BBQ sauce
The Slinger: two eggs, hamburger patty, hash browns, and American cheese all topped with chili
St. Paul Sandwich: Egg Foo Young, lettuce, tomato, and pickle on white bread
Prosperity Sandwich: Open face sandwich with turkey, ham, bacon, melted cheese and a cream sauce.
Gooey Butter Cake: a very moist yellow cake topped with a mixture of cream cheese, eggs, and almond extract.
Peanut Butter: first packaged as a protein past in 1890 by George A. Bayle Jr.
The Concrete: A frozen egg custard mixed with candy, fruit, and or nuts that doesn’t come out of the cup when turned over.


City of Food

Who says breakfast can’t be fun? At Soda Fountain Square, you can have any breakfast, any time -- with an ice cream specialty to boot.

The Lafayette Square eatery has all the great food you’d expect from a good local diner -- and lots of local specialties like The Slinger (two eggs, hash browns, cheese and a hamburger patty all topped with chili) and T-Ravs (toasted ravioli). But breakfast really shines -- with great pancakes, terrific shakes, and savory country fried steaks.
Soda Fountain Square * 1801 Park Avenue * (314) 241-0099 * sodafountainsquare.com

It may be 697 miles from New Orleans, but Broadway Oyster Bar packs a mean Cajun punch.

The restaurant lives up to its name, with oyster selections ranging from Shooters to Bienville to Rockefeller.

Catch a bite of gator or dive into a Muffeletta.

And don’t miss the Cajun Chips -- a combination of Idaho russets and Louisiana sweet yams thinly sliced, fried, and coated with Cajun spices.
Broadway Oyster House * 736 Broadway * (314) 621-8811 * broadwayoysterbar.com

Looking for a fantastic upscale restaurant to celebrate that special occasion? Look no further than An American Place. Larry Forgione’s culinary efforts to return to true American cuisine with its unique blend of flavors and fresh and flavorful ingredients brings a new level of integrity to the table. Be sure to try a cheese tasting or the tasting menu itself, which includes a luscious and light Meuniere with almond salad and brown butter caper ice cream.
An American Place * 822 Washington * (314) 418-5800 * anamericanplacestl.com

Late night wanderings end happily at Tigin’s, an Irish Pub located in the Hampton Inn across from Laclede’s Landing and the Edward Jones Dome. Tasty treats like Corned Beef Cabbage Rolls and Smithwick’s Ale battered Mini-Burgers make great pub fare for watching the big game (and here, when the Redbirds aren’t in town, the game is soccer or cricket). Save room for the Black and Tan Brownie with Guinness Ice Cream, the perfect end to a relaxing evening with friends.
Tigin’s Irish Pub * 333 Washington Avenue * (314) 241-8666 * tiginsirishpub.com

Route 66 enthusiasts will enjoy a step back in the past at Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard Shop. The custard comes in any flavor you want -- as long as it’s vanilla. It’s the add-ins that make each one unique and special. There are dozens of different add-ins available -- or you can go for one of the popular local favorites. The popular Concrete got its name from the fact that you can turn it upside down and the spoon won’t fall out!
Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard * 6726 Chippewa * (314) 481-2652 * teddrewes.com

Planning a Visit?
The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission is available to help you with your plans and destinations. Check out explorestlouis.com or call (800) 916-0040.

City of Beer
St. Louis is well known for beer makers, both the large (Anheuser-Busch) and the small (dozens of microbreweries). Take time out of your trip to check out some of the tours and pubs in the area.

The big tour, of course, is at Anheuser-Busch, home of Budweiser, Busch, Michelob, and a host of other national and regional domestic beers.

On the tour, visitors are taken through the massive St. Louis complex, offered two free glasses of any Anheuser-Busch product in the Hospitality Room, and given a glimpse of some of the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The tours are free to everyone, but alcohol is only served to those 21 years of age or older.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery * 12th and Lynch Streets * (314) 577-2626 * budweisertours.com

The largest of the city’s microbreweries, Schlafly Bottleworks, is also a fabulous restaurant. What’s more, the beer maker is also involved heavily in the local community, hosting the Maplewood Farmers Market and local events like the Schlaflea Market (which benefits Goodwill). And Schlafly is heavily involved in improving the environment -- with extensive recycling in-house, a six-pack holder recycling program, and a commitment to purchasing energy only from renewable sources. Many of the dishes in the restaurant are augmented with ingredients grown in a garden right beside the Bottleworks! And with a wide variety of beer to sample (including a generous six-beer sampler you can order with your meal) there’s a lot to love about the place.
Schlafly Bottleworks * 7260 Southwest Avenue * (314) 241-BEER * schlafly.com

Nestled in the heart of Laclede’s Landing, the Morgan Street Brewery has a fine and diverse selection of beer, ales, and lagers on tap for the connoisseur. But it’s a more than complete beer-influenced menu that really draws in diners.

Dishes are served up with “coniques,” mashed potatoes formed into cones, battered, and deep fried. Try the Brew Burger -- a half pound burger stuffed with goat cheese and topped with caramelized onions, cooked to order.

And try not to pass up the Crème Brulee Trio -- flavors change every day.
Morgan Street Brewery *721 North Second Street * (314) 231-9970 * morganstreetbrewery.com

City of Relaxation
Why venture out into the unknown when you can enjoy a top rated resort in the middle of a city? The Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis is a full-service resort with every amenity covered, every convenience offered, and every courtesy extended.

The hotel itself begins on the eighth floor of its building -- to take advantage of the incredible view of the Arch and the Riverfront unobscured by the Lumiere Casino next door.

Visitors are welcomed to an airy, contemporary lobby and open plan bar and restaurant, with a full wall of windows exposing cabanas and a fantastic pool.

Rooms are spacious and minimalist, utilizing light colors and glass along with pale wood and fluffy white linens. There’s original artwork in guest rooms, and in guest baths.

The bathroom is large with separate toilet closet, rain-shower head glass shower, and an 80 gallon deep and luxurious bath tub.

The house staff is very attentive, and notes are made about your preference -- whether it be for a certain morning paper, ice and drinks in your room, or a particular type of pillow.

The hotel’s restaurant, Cielo, has a wide contemporary Italian menu, featuring housemade pastas and prime meats and seafoods.

Breakfast options cover almost any sort of diet -- from traditional country breakfasts to lox and bagels and even healthy hand mixed yogurts and granolas.

Guests have complimentary use of the spa’s facilities -- which include separate male and female suites containing large steam rooms and whirlpool tubs.

A wide selection of massages, facials, and ritual treatments are offered at prices comparable with other area spas.

Don’t miss the view from the co-ed relaxation lounge and its large whirlpool tub peering out over the Mississippi River.

The hotel also features a well-developed exercise room (with cold towels and refreshments available), a splash pool for children, and excellent concierge services.

And the Four Seasons is making a concerted effort to address environmental concerns -- with non-polluting cleansers, a composting program, and the use of power from renewable resources.
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis * 999 North Second Street * (314) 881-5800 * fourseasons.com/stlouis

The Fudge Shop is back... with Barbeque, Too.

Back in December, I lamented the closing of the Pickles Gap Fudge Factory. Though fudge from Sweet Temptations would still be offered from Mack's General Store at the popular roadside village of Pickles Gap, the friendly shop with the incredible whiff of fudge the moment you walked through the door would be a thing of the past.

At the time, there was talk of a tea room opening in the same location -- not a bad idea, for sure. But time passed and the building remained empty.

Not any more.

I do apologize for the lack of pictures -- for once, I was caught without my trusty Nikon Coolpix camera, and my computer is getting a new motherboard. It'll be great when I get it back, but for now I'm a bit lacking.

My traveling companion and I were passing by this morning and noticed new plastic banners hanging outside the Village -- that advertized Fudge... and barbecue. Some will say I have a soft spot for good barbecue, and some would be right. We made a point to stop by on our return trip.

We noticed two OPEN signs lit up by neon -- one at the Fudge Factory end, the other up the short flight of stairs into the main part of the two story structure. Inside, we were greeted with the heady smell of fresh smoke and tangy sauce, and our stomachs started to rumble. BBQ indeed. Right here in River City -- er, um, in Conway.

We approached the counter, and a friendly waitress took our order. I was a little disappointed to find the beef sandwich listed on the menu wasn't available -- until she revealed that today... TODAY... is opening day for the establishment. I happily accepted the offer of a half-a-chicken dinner with sweet beans and French fries, while my companion went for a plate of chili and cheese topped tamales.

We looked around while we waited for our food. Everything was spic and span -- and open. The old doorway into the Fudge Factory was open, and a hint of chocolately goodness spiked the air. The dining room had been opened up into the parlor of the fudge factory, and another seating area (up where the old "post office" had been) had also been opened. We chose to sit up there and admire the new surroundings.

The restaurant was so new, the bottle of BBQ sauce on the table and the salt and pepper shakers had yet to be breached. While we waited, one of the good folks that had been behind the counter came up and asked us where we were from and talked a bit about the Gridley family name and where the BBQ had come from. I was surprised to find out that this wasn't just barbecue -- it's Elvis barbecue. Gridley's originated in Memphis, right down the street from Graceland, and had spread over several states. Unfortunately, after Mr. Gridley died, family troubles set in, and the chain had problems. But now there's a new owner, and this is a new store.

Another gentleman came up and talked with us a bit later. He shared more information -- like why our drinks came in cans (the restaurant's so new, the cola distributor hasn't been out to install the bits of machine and the bottles to make fountain drinks) and why there wasn't a beef sandwich yet (because good beef brisket prepared the Gridley way requires a certain combination of sodas in the marinade). He also mentioned that some of that brisket was already soaking and would be available for tomorrow's run.

We received our food with a little fanfare, and I lamented further my neglect in bringing along my camera. I took a snap of my companion's tamale plate with my cell phone -- full of the cornmeal-wrapped savory tastiness that a good plate of Arkansas tamales brings. My companion shared that these tamales didn't come with the sins of other tamale-makers -- they were neither too soft to hold in their contents, nor too chewy to be cut with a fork. His chili con carne was also savory and a good match for the beef within.

Still, it was no match for my chicken. The meat within was a lovely pink, the good kind of pink you get with that combination of wood smoke and a rotisserie. It was fork tender, with a paper-like seasoned skin, easy to shred and a delight on the tongue. The pairing of sweet beans was lovely -- beans that reminded me of my mom's own Settler's Beans with a hint of molasses and no meat-at-all (so there, vegetarians -- good smoke flavor without the meat!). My fries were crispy and worthy of mention -- but even better was the light and delicious hot buttered roll served with the plate. The bread was hot, soft, and crispy on the outside -- barbecue rolls for a king.

And the selection of sauces was prime. I'm a sucker for a good sweet sauce, and I wasn't disappointed. Customers are asked if they'd like their barbecue with mild, hot, or sweet sauce -- and they're all as different as night and day. The sweet sauce is bereft of that pepper whang, but full of brown sugar goodness. The savory adds in the pepper and holds the tongue really well. One of the gentlemen who came to our table (Joe, I believe) broke the seal on our bottle of Gridley's sauce and we sampled the Memphis original -- thin, vinegary, and full of paprika and turmeric. He also brought out a bottle of the hot stuff, too -- which varied little from the signature sauce on first taste, but which caught up with a strong paprika and red pepper vengeance a few moments later. Not too hot for me to handle, but someone with a milder contenance might find themselves reaching for their drink in a hurry once the backbite kicks in.

Our kind host mentioned that it's going to be up to the locals whether the new restaurant succeeds or not. He says he's wanting to contact area churches and let churchgoers know that if they bring in their program on Sunday, they'll be able to receive a discount. He also said folks need to know that barbecue is hot and ready through 8 p.m. -- since the restaurant is open later than the General Store. He also mentioned the menu will eventually expand to include such delights as prime rib (which got my traveling companion salivating something quick) and that once the restaurant is going well they'll be managing the Fudge Factory, too.

And speaking of which -- after our hearty repast, we hobbled through to the other side of the building and relished the reopening of the old favorite. The shelves are stocked again -- and there's more fudge than ever before. We marveled at such flavors as Peanut Butter and Jelly Chocolate, Orange Cream Swirl, and (the one I just had to try) Chocolate Raspberry. There are also big plates of chocolate covered strawberries, blackberry and apple cobblers, and a good selection of Blue Bell Ice Creams. Between my companion and I, we ordered up a half pound of fudge -- which our attendant measured right on the nose. That prompted a blowing of the whistle -- a nice cute touch we appreciated.

You'll find the Fudge Factory and Gridley's BBQ at Pickles Gap, north from Conway or south from Greenbrier on Highway 65. It's on the west side of the road, in a hollow. I should have asked for a phone number while I was there -- but that's yet another reason to go back. That, and the BBQ brisket. I'm sure there will be information up on the Pickles Gap website pretty soon. The number over at the General Store is (501) 327-8049.

Lions, Tigers, Bears, and Cougars.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is taking on rescued wild animals and putting them where they belong -- in a world where they’re free to feel the grass under their feet.

Imagine life in a 400 square foot apartment. You can’t leave, you can only have select visitors -- you’re fed well, but you live on a concrete pad.

Imagine living that way, and then suddenly finding yourself with a half acre of your own woodland paradise.

That’s what many of the tigers, cougars, and lions at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge are now experiencing -- and what many more will soon enjoy with new expansions and projects at the Refuge this year.

Not that life hasn’t improved for these animals. These wild creatures are all rescue animals -- surrendered by owners who couldn’t care for them, captured during criminal acts, or relocated after the closure of other facilities. Some of them, like cougar K.C., were actually kept in apartments as pets at one point or another. Others were undernourished or abused.

At the Refuge, they’re all given food, accommodations, and the respect these magnificent beasts should receive.

I toured the Eureka Springs-area facility with Scott Smith this May. I’ve visited other refuges and parks that have claimed a similar mission before, but I was surprised what I found here.

Scott’s been with Turpentine Creek for most of its 15 years. He’s seen the refuge grow from the original visitors center and a smattering of caged enclosures to the expansive compound it is today.

Our first stop along the tour was Heather. Her story is different from most of the creatures at TCWR. Heather was born to Pretzel and Siam, two other Bengal tigers at the Refuge. When Pretzel was surrendered, her owners said she had been spayed. Apparently that wasn’t the case -- because in 2000 Heather and a sister were born. Unfortunately, the sister didn’t survive.

Heather had a hole in her stomach from where Pretzel had bitten off the umbilical cord. She survived that, and a round of pelvic cancer in 2002. Scott told me that one of the other workers at the Refuge had asked if she could try homeopathic remedies on Heather when her prognosis from the cancer looked grim. They allowed her to try, and today Heather is the picture of health.

Heather was expected to be the last animal to be born at the refuge. “Since then, we’ve made sure that every animal that comes into the Refuge is spayed or neutered,” Scott said. “If we breed more animals, there’s less space for the rescued ones.”

And that could become a problem in the future. Many states have passed laws about the private ownership of wild cats and bears, and some of the animals surrendered to the Refuge have come from individuals in those states who are now considered to be breaking the law by owning one of these animals. “We pick up animals from all over the country,” Scott continued. “So far, we have animals from 26 states.”

Those animals have to be fed, and they are -- through generous donations from Wal-Mart and Tyson. “Throughout the week, we have people pick up meat from Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets, and from Tyson Foods,” said Scott. “All the meat is donated. We don’t feed the animals any processed products.”

That’s a lot of meat. In the wintertime, when the animals need a lot of protein to keep warm, the Refuge can go through as much as 1800 pounds a day. During the summer, when the animals slow down to keep from overheating, it’s more like 800 pounds. All of the donated meat is kept in huge refrigerated facilities in another part of the compound.

Even with good nutrition and top notch veterinary care, these animals are still not quite in what would be considered a natural environment. Certain accommodations have long since been made -- such as misting devices to keep them cool in the hottest part of the day, and lots of shade and secluded dens. But TCWR is doing more to make these animals comfortable.

Over the past several years, large areas of the land on the hillside has been segmented out by tall sturdy fencing to become “runs” for lions and cougars. These enclosures of ¼ to 1 ½ acres give the animals a chance to live in nature and feel the grass beneath their feet.

This Independence Day, many more of these animals will have the chance. On July 4th, a new section of the Refuge opens, with dozens more of the big cats able to prowl on large stretches of land.

“The idea was, why don’t we put the people in cages and let the animals roam free?” Scott joked on our tour. And indeed, that’s what’s happening. Along a corridor between the separate enclosures, a long outdoor hallway has been constructed. Tour groups will be able to walk the long stretch and see the animals in a more natural habitat. They’ll be safe -- with several feet of space between the people enclosure and the fencing around each of the runs.

Of course, the Refuge is for the animals -- but it’s the people that keep the Refuge going. Turpentine Creek is almost entirely run on sponsorships and donations. There are several levels of sponsorship available -- from sponsoring an animal by yourself each year to joining 19 other donors for the privilege. The organization is non-profit, and sponsorships and donations are tax-deductible.

The Refuge has several employees -- but a large portion of its workforce comes from volunteers and interns. Interns come from all over the United States and spend six months learning how to care for the big cats and bears. This knowledge will help them in endeavors in other parts of the world, where preservation efforts are going strong.

As I mentioned earlier, Heather was supposed to have been the last tiger born at Turpentine Creek. But you never know when a true surprise is going to happen.

Back in April, a pair of tigers were rescued from Missouri. Ziggy, the male, was neutered on arrival. But a tiger’s gestational period last from 93 to 111 days. On May 30th, Ziggy’s mate Tigger G gave birth to triplets. One of the three didn’t survive, but the other two are being cared for by TCWR staff. They’re not on display at this time, but once they’re old enough they’ll be treated with the same love and respect as the rest of the creatures at the Refuge.

Of course, raising two tiger cubs can be expensive. Unfortunately, Tigger G hasn’t taken to motherhood, so the cubs are being fed formula by hand. The cubs will also need names, so the Refuge is asking for sponsorships. For $2000, a donor can give one of the cubs a name.

The Refuge does have a few other animals besides the tigers, lions, cougars and bears. There are a few resident parrots, a Rhesus monkey, a serval, and a bobcat. And there’s a badger. No kidding.

The Refuge is open every day of the year except Christmas for visits. The money from admissions goes right back into caring for the animals and running the facility. Admission for an adult is $15, $10 for kids between 3 and 12, seniors and veterans. It’s open from 9am to 6pm during the summer and 9am to 5pm in the winter. The best time to go is in the early morning, when the animals are still somewhat active from their nocturnal pursuits -- or between 4-5 p.m., when they are fed.

Of course, you can stay at the Refuge all night, if you want. Lodging choices allow visitors to spend more time there, and to listen to the animals at night. Accommodations range from bed and breakfast style suites to a five cabin Zulu Safari Guest Lodge to a real Tree House. There are also RV hookups and camping sites available. Future plans include a reunion style pavilion and fountain pool.

For more information about the Refuge, check out turpentinecreek.org or call (479) 253-5841.

Mimi's Cafe: Lunch with lots of choices.

Back when it opened, Mimi’s Café was the one place in town you couldn’t get into. Every time we made a loop around the Garden Ridge parking lot, there’d be a line out the door and the lot would be full. After a while, we crossed it off our list and didn’t think much about it.

But on this particular Tuesday afternoon in June, we decided to give it a try. After all, what chance was there of being a crowd at 3pm?

Not much, it turns out. We were able to find parking close to the entrance, and we were quickly ushered into a booth in a large sunny room.

All I’d heard about the restaurant before was that the cooking was pretty good. I didn’t exactly expect a New Orleans themed restaurant. For one, it seemed a little too clean and neat to represent the French Quarter. For two, the menus contained a whole heck of a lot of choices you won’t find near Bourbon Street. No matter.

Our waiter took our drink orders and returned -- serving mine up on a doily, but none for my male traveling companion. He also brought lemon for the tea separate on a plate -- addressing a real pet peeve of mine. I don’t like lemon in cold tea, and I hate it when a waitperson assumes that I need that slice on the rim of my tea or water glass. This was pretty courteous.

We spent a good while attempting to determine exactly what we wanted off the menu. A lunch menu carried assumedly smaller portions of many of the main entrées. There’s also a large selection of appetizers, salads, burgers, and entrées on the main menu -- along with several drink options.

My traveling companion opted for the Asian Chopped Salad ($9.49), and I went for the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast (lunch portion for $8.99). I also opted for the French Market Onion Soup for an additional $1.20. We sat back with our drinks and discussed the day’s events.

Our waiter brought my soup and my companion’s muffin out first. The entrée salads are served up with a muffin of your choice, and my companion had selected a Buttermilk Spice muffin. It was as large as a grapefruit and was rich for a muffin, with a taste reminiscent of pumpkin pie spice. It was served up with its own twirl of real butter.

My soup was delicions. The creamy white cheese melted across the top was inoffensive and completely without bite, but the broth underneath was heady with onions and the hint of beef, and the well-soaked crouton below matched the flavor well. I would have been happy with it and a small salad for a quick lunch.

Our entrées weren’t far behind. My traveling companion’s Asian Chopped Salad was large and green, full of chopped lettuce, cabbage, green and red bell peppers and poppy seeds, along with generous chunks of chicken. He felt it could have used a bit more spiciness like similar Asian inspired salads at other locales, but the salad was still quite edible.

My chicken came out on a soft bed of spaghetti noodles that had been tossed in a tomato sauce. The sauce itself didn’t have much spice to it, but you could tell the tomatoes had simmered a long time. The chicken had a surprisingly crunchy bite, apparently pan-fried with a little dusting of flour. It was topped with a broad slice of mozzarella, more chunky sauce, and a sprinkling of fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. It was certainly the right size for a lunch portion.

We decided to be a bit decadent and went for dessert -- after noticing Mimi’s Sweet Ensemble ($5.99) on the Seasonal Favorites menu. I like to sample, and I was expecting small portions we could share without being overwhelmed by a large dessert. Imagine our surprise when our dessert arrived -- a long plate bearing three full-sized desserts. Considering how many cities I’ve traveled to where any dessert might have busted $6 apiece, I was surprised by the generous portions.

My traveling companion encountered a little bit of a disappointment -- the Triple Chocolate Brownie was much crisper and chewier than imagined, and the spoon provided couldn’t permeate the tough surface. Once the ice cream on top melted, it was much easier to consume.

We found better success with the Fresh Apple Cinnamon Crisp, with its tart and meaty apple slices and crisp crust. The Vanilla Bean ice cream was a perfect accompaniment.

My favorite, though, had to be the Mimi’s Bread Pudding. I am such a bread pudding snob… and after experiencing cold congealed masses of dead soaked bready stuff so many other places, I found that this pudding was light and delicious. The meringue-like texture was full of eggy flavor, with the occasional plumped raisin under the whipped cream topping. But it was the rum butter sauce by far that won me over.

This repast was more than we could consume at lunch, and some came back home with us. It’s certainly a decent place to grab a bite, even if it’s a chain restaurant. I don’t normally review chains, but this one was pretty darn good.

You’ll find Mimi’s Café in Little Rock on the Garden Ridge parking lot, near the intersection of Chenal and Bowman. It’s open from 7am to 10pm, til 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast is apparently available whenever they’re open. Call (501) 221-3883 or check out the website.