Close, classy and always buzzing with activity, the Central West
End is known for its coffee houses, eateries, shops and
nightlife.

Dressel’s (419 N. Euclid, 361-1060) features Felinfoel
Welsh ales and a dark atmosphere. The bar specializes in pub grub
but it also has vegetarian dishes. There is live jazz every
Wednesday night. Llywelyn’s Pub (4747 McPherson, 361-3003)
specializes in serving Celtic food. The pub has live music in its
loft area on Thursday and Friday nights.

Duff’s (392 N. Euclid, 361-0522) offers world cuisine at
the CWE’s premier outdoor dining setting. The Silk Road (510
Euclid, 367-9370) is the home of the first Chinese buffet in St.
Louis and specializes in Mongolian and Hunan cuisine.

Culpepper’s (300 N. Euclid, 361-2828) has been a Central
West End favorite since 1935. It’s the home of famous spicy chicken
wings. Tom’s Bar and Grill (20 S. Euclid, 367-4900) is on the
corner of Euclid and Forest Park Parkway. The burgers are juicy and
the atmosphere is laid back at Tom’s. A big screen television sits
above the dining room floor, and there are numerous other TVs so
that everyone has a great seat to watch the big game.

Just up the street is The Pasta House Co. (309 N. Euclid,
367-3865). It’s known for pretty good pasta, better bread and great
salads. Whatever your Italian cravings may be, The Pasta House is
sure to satisfy each and every one of them.

The Majestic (4900 Laclede, 361-2011) is popular for its
cheap food and fine spirits. The Majestic opens early, closes late
and is renowned for its Greek food and decor.

The ever-popular St. Louis Bread Company (4651 Maryland,
367-7636) is just around the corner from Culpepper’s. The Bread
Co., as it is commonly called, has continuously been voted the best
bakery in town. Come in for bagels and a host of coffee beverages,
but be sure to come back the sandwiches and soups for lunch or
dinner.

Wildflower (4590 Laclede, 367-9888), across from The
Majestic, also offers outdoor dining, with a variety of entrees.
Strata Ovenbaked (22 N. Euclid, 454-3900) is a restaurant similar
to the St. Louis Bread Company. It offers hot sandwiches and soups
also, but the bread is especially good.

The Central West End abounds with coffee shops. Coffee
Cartel (2 Maryland Plaza, 454- 0000) is one of the area’s
finest coffee shops. Any season of the year, Coffee Cartel will
suit your java desires. Try a frappe on a hot afternoon or warm up
with a mocha in the winter. Fabulous outdoor seating puts you in
the middle of the CWE while you enjoy your cup of joe.

The Grind (56 Maryland Plaza, 454-0202) is a popular
hangout for students of both SLU and Washington University looking
for a casual hangout or a place to study. While you’re studying or
chatting with friends, enjoy an ice cream creation or a dessert
with your coffee at a table inside or outside. It is usually
crowded every night of the week because it’s open until 3 a.m.

The Central West End is not only a good spot to grab a bite to
eat, but it is also the place to enjoy art, architecture and
antiques. Elliot Smith Contemporary Art (4727 McPherson, 361-4800)
is St. Louis’ largest and most beautiful private art gallery.
Elliot Smith shows important regional and national artists in
six-week rotating exhibitions.

Macro Sun (308 N. Euclid, 361-0054) is a gallery of
exotic imported goods from Asia. You will find everything from
sitars and gold Buddhas to jewelry and authentic clothing.

Left Bank Books (399 N. Euclid, 367-6731) is a
full-service bookstore with an adequate selection of new and used
books. It’s one of the last independently owned bookstores in St.
Louis. They also operate a small art gallery and a coffee shop
called Cafe Danielle, which serves coffee and sandwiches.

For delicious kosher-style sandwiches, try Kopperman’s
Deli (386 N. Euclid, 361-0100).

Even if you’re bored with bagels, you have to try Einstein
Bros. Bagels (2 N. Euclid, 367-7999), which offers pizzas,
sandwiches and salads. If you’re in the CWE in the morning and you
are in need of a carbohydrate fix, sample one of the many different
kinds of bagels with a cup of joe.

If you’re cruising the streets on the West End in search of a
cold treat, look no further than Frozen Assets (8 S. Euclid,
361-6222) for home-made ice cream. They feature 50 to 60 flavors,
including more types of vanilla than you can count on one hand.

To work off all that food, try Club Viva (408 N. Euclid,
361-0322) is a club for those who dance to a different beat–Latin
and salsa rhythms. If you don’t know the right moves, go to their
free dance lessons on Thursdays and Saturdays 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, try out your new steps to the live bands,
which start around 10 p.m.

Later in the evening, after you’ve danced the night away at Club
Viva and you need to quench your thirst, head down Maryland to
M.P. O’Reilly’s (14 Maryland, 367-8111). This trendy bar is
often crowded with singles out to be seen. The bar boasts $1.50
drinks every night and various happy hour specials. Keep your eyes
peeled while you’re at MPO’s, since it’s been the place of
sightings of several St. Louis Cardinals every now and then.

Besides the plethora of restaurants, coffee shops and bars that
adorn the streets of the Central West End, spend an afternoon
wandering in and out of the eclectic shops that line the
streets.

For cheap and unique finds, head into Froggie’s 5 and 10
(5 Maryland, 367-5590). Though the days of actually being able to
buy something for a nickel or a dime are a thing of the past, there
are still shelves of trinkets and treasures to be found at low
prices.

If you’re looking further down the road to the post-graduation
days of apartment hunting and furniture shopping, get some
decorating ideas at Centro’s Modern Furnishings (4727
McPherson, 454-0111). Be careful, you might be tempted to spend an
entire future paycheck in your first browsing session!