Sweetie Pie's

So, Tony has been trying to get me to eat at a soul food restaurant called Sweetie Pie's since we moved to St. Louis and I've been resisting. Finally, I ran out of excuses and we ate there on last night. Before going, I did research the restaurant a little. I learned that it's been featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (or whatever that show is called) and I also read a few reviews including:

"If your goal is to gain a couple hundred pounds, clog your arteries and have a good time doing it, this is the place for you!"

"It's as if Jesus came down and laid his hands on that mac n' cheese, y'all."

You can see why I was little nervous about what I was getting into!

Well, Tony, Jean, and I dined there Friday night and I have to say that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought that it would be. The restaurant is really cute with lots of large windows and a huge St. Louis themed mural. It's cafeteria style, but there are plenty of friendly waiters and waitresses that grab your tray and carry it to your table for you. And the food? It's excellent! Tony and I both had the fried catfish and it was extra crispy just like I like! The mac n cheese was a favorite of all of ours. My only complaint was the cornbread which was a little dry. Tony also loved the sweet potato pie.

After I only ate half of what's on my plate, Tony threatened to break my hand if I didn't get a to go box for him. He's so mean at times, but I definitely got the point that he enjoyed it and we'll be returning again.

Cafe Ventana

Yesterday, Tony and I lunched at Cafe Ventana which is a "Louisiana style cafe" right off of SLU's campus. In reality, the only thing Louisiana about the cafe is that it's logo is a fleur de lis and it serves a muffaletto and beignets. But the food is good and it's a really cute place. Anyway, I ran into the restroom before we left and I have to say, I have never seen a restroom quite like this one! The top half of the four walls was covered in a chalkboard. They also provided chalk and erasers for you to add your message to the board! The ceiling was covered in fashion photos, etc that were cut out from magazines and the large chandelier finished off the effect. I have to say that I loved it!

Visiting Union Station

The old Union Station in downtown St. Louis has been converted to a hotel, restaurants, and little shops inside. It's really beautiful to see all of the old architecture inside the building and it's a great use of the space. There's even a grand ballroom in it. Tony and I ventured down there last Monday looking for postcards since it has a couple of souvenir shops inside. We had a great time just walking around and wandering in and out of the little shops. There's even a Landry's Seafood at the back of the train station with an adorable patio area overlooking the little pond. It was way too cold and rainy to eat outside, so we decided to postpone Landry's for another day. We also discovered that black light miniature golf is an option inside Union Station. Tony is dying to try it while I could pass! I'm sure we'll end up going...

After an hour or so of walking around, we left only to discover that we had forgotten to pick up the one thing that we had gone for - postcards!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

And buy me some hand warmers!

Tony and I were graciously given tickets to the Astros - Cards game last night. We've driven around Busch Stadium a few times, but this was our first time to see the inside of the stadium. It really is a beautiful stadium, but I do prefer Minute Maid. Especially since Minute Maid has a retractable roof and it dipped into the 30's last night. I can honestly say that it's the first time that I've ever been cold at a baseball game! Tony did go buy us some hand warmers at the beginning of the game. It's the first time that I've ever used them, but I loved them!

Of course, we were surrounded by Cards fans so we did stick out in our Astros gear. Tony even bought the only Astros thing that we saw in any of the stadium shops - an Astros pennant on a stick. We did have a great time conversing with those around us and it was a good game even though the Astros were behind the entire time. They at least kept it close enough to still be interesting!

Easter Presents

Sugar was very excited when we arrived home the other night to find a box addressed to him from Grandma and Grandpa. Once opened, he found that he had gotten a rooster that made noises and cash for us to go buy him his favorite bones. He immediately took the rooster and ran up the stairs to the third floor carrying it in his mouth the entire time. Once he arrived on the third floor, he deposited the rooster on his bed and laid down.

Tony and I looked through the box, but alas, no Easter presents for us...

April Surprise

Turns out that it can snow in April. Who knew? It snowed like crazy for a bit this morning and then flurries again late this afternoon. It was too wet to stick though.

Sugar's Easter Egg Hunt

Yesterday, Sugar's groomer hosted an Easter egg hunt for dogs, so we decided to take him. We even bought him a cute little Easter Easter egg basket with a dog bone on it. Essentially, it was a fundraiser for a local animal shelter. You paid $5 and got to pick five eggs which were scattered all around the store in little baskets. Inside each egg was a slip of paper telling you what your prize was. Sugar won four treats and a $5 gift card to the store. The treats were little homemade dog treats in the shape of little eggs with icing on them. Tony, not paying attention, threw the bag with Sugar's treats in it away so Sugar didn't get to have any.

After the Easter egg hunt, we went walking around Lafayette Square Park. It's a beautiful park in one of the nicest parts of the city. We spend a lot of time in the area because we like the little shops and restaurants that surround the park. We then went to sit in the outside patio area at Park Ave. Coffee so that Tony could get more gooey butter cake.

The first pictures are from Sugar at the Easter egg hunt. The others are of the park and the large pond (there's also a small one) and the ducks and geese there.

Cravings!

Tony and I tried a new restaurant yesterday for lunch and it was delicious! By far the most flavor that we've had in any of our food since arriving here! It's a small little place in Webster Grove that is mainly does catering. They are also nationally recognized for their desserts. Nothing wrong with that! They do have a small restaurant that is open for lunch a few days a week and serves dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Lunch was incredible and of course we had to have dessert too!

We also found a cute little independent bookstore in Webster Grove. They are home to a few book clubs, so I may be joining a new book club!

Now, we're off to take Sugar to an Easter egg hunt!

Fountains

Saint Louis University has fountains all over the campus and I couldn't wait for them to all be turned back on! Well, I've finally gotten my wish! My favorite, the dolphin fountain, has been filled and is operational again! Isn't it gorgeous?

Flowers!!!

So, yesterday Tony called and said that he would be a few minutes late picking me up after work. No big deal! Then he called back and said that he was going to come in today instead of me just meeting him in the parking lot. I thought that was a little odd, but hey, it's Tony! About 5:15, he came strolling in carrying this enormous bouquet of roses and stargazer lilies. They are absolutely stunning and the scent in my office is a bit overwhelming right now and only half of the lilies have opened up! There are 25 roses and who knows how many stargazer lilies in it! He actually went to a little flower market near my office and picked out the flowers and then made the arrangement and the bow himself!

Square One Brewery

Surprisingly, the first brewery that I've been to in St. Louis is not Anheuser-Busch, even though I can see the Budweiser headquarters from my rooftop deck. It is actually a very small local restaurant/brewery that we like to frequent. They recently started making spirits as well. The food is ok, but the atmosphere makes it good. If you are a fan of beer, they are bound to have one you'll like. I've been wondering......if they opened a new location, would it be named "Square Two", or possibly "Square Squared?" - TONY

A Walk in the Park

Despite the crazy wind, yesterday was still a gorgeous afternoon so Tony and I decided to take Sugar for a long walk around the neighborhood. We even stopped by the park that is two blocks away from our house. Everywhere you turn here, you're next to a park! And of course Tony had to play on the swings!