You'll find a good range of restaurants in St. Louis. Italian restaurants in the Hill District, the German and Irish grills of Soulard and the Continental and Asian fare in the Central West End and University City Loop area are all tempting. In the Hill District, sample St. Louis' very own toasted ravioli. In the Central West End or Soulard District, dine at one of the outdoor cafes.

Below is a sampling of restaurants in town. Expect to pay for a single meal excluding drinks, tax and tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$20-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Cafe de France—Outstanding French cuisine served with elan amid enormous floral arrangements, white linens and crystal chandeliers. Valet parking available. Monday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday to 10:30 pm. Reservations advised. $$$. Most major credit cards. 410 Olive St. (downtown), St. Louis. Phone 314-231-2204.

Crazy Fish Fresh Grill—This hip, eclectic Clayton restaurant is pulling in hundreds of fans. They're drawn to a cross-cultural cuisine offering something for everyone—pasta, seafood, steak and inventive vegetarian dishes. Monday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-midnight. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 15 N. Meramec, Clayton, St. Louis. Phone 314-726-2111.

Fio's La Fourchette—Imaginative French cuisine matched with excellent service, Fio's is a perfect place for a special occasion. Six-course fixed-price and a la carte menus, dessert souffles to die for. Wednesday-Saturday 6-9 pm. Reservations suggested. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 7515 Forsyth (Clayton), St. Louis. Phone 314-863-6866.

Ramon's Jalapeno Grill—Trendy Southwestern cuisine, bolstered by margaritas in many colors and a popular Friday happy hour with a bountiful buffet. There's sidewalk dining outside. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday 11 am-11 pm, Saturday noon-11 pm, Sunday noon-11 pm. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 44 Brentwood Blvd., Clayton, St. Louis. Phone 314-862-1414.

Tony's—Absolutely the best in town, and a deserving recipient of top national awards (including Conde Nast's Traveler magazine's declaring it the best Italian restaurant in the nation). This is an elegant restaurant serving incredible food. Try the Lobster Albanello. Superior wine list. Jackets required and ties preferred. Monday-Thursday 5-11 pm, Friday and Saturday to 11:30 pm. Reservations suggested. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 410 Market St. (downtown), St. Louis. Phone 314-231-7007.

AMERICAN

Blueberry Hill—This St. Louis landmark is a frequent destination for St. Louisans taking out-of-towners to lunch or dinner. Pleasantly cluttered, it's packed with pop icons from music, TV and films and even a mounted hippopotamus head. The St. Louis Walk of Fame begins on the sidewalk just outside its door. Famous for burgers and a huge selection of domestic and imported beers. Monday-Saturday 11 am-1:30 am, Sunday 11 am-midnight. $. Most major credit cards. 6504 Delmar, St. Louis. Phone 314-727-0880.

Culpepper's—Dig into some of the best chicken wings in the world. Culpepper's is also known for its tasty soups and sandwiches. Casual surroundings in the heart of the Central West End. Monday-Saturday 11 am-12:30 am, Sunday noon-10:30 pm. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 300 N. Euclid, phone 314-361-2828.

Kreis' Restaurant—For more than 50 years, Kreis' has been serving fine prime ribs and steaks in tremendously huge portions. Monday-Thursday 5-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 4:30-9:30 pm. Reservations helpful. $$$. Most major credit cards. 535 S. Lindbergh (west of downtown), phone 314-993-0735.

Ozzie's Restaurant & Sports Bar—Famed St. Louis Cardinal Ozzie Smith collected awards throughout his baseball career, and you can view many of them here, at his restaurant—a popular place for watching sporting events (42 TV monitors) while savoring burgers, steaks and seafood. Monday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-midnight, Sunday 11 am-10 pm. Reservations recommended. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 645 West Port Plaza in West Port (about 20 minutes from downtown), phone 314-434-1000.

T. J.'s Wild Flower—A Midwest evocation of New York's East Village—adventurous cuisine in a colorful, laid-back setting. Try the strawberry and chevre salad or the bold and tasty seafood chowder. A cello and piano provide music for Sunday brunch. Outdoor seating is a pleasant option. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday to 11 pm, Sunday 9 am-9:30 pm (11 pm-midnight Monday-Saturday for happy-hour appetizers and desserts). Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 4599 Laclede (about six blocks from the Central West End MetroLink station), phone 314-367-9888.

ASIAN

Mandarin House—Downtown in historic Union Station, the Mandarin House serves authentic Peking and Sichuan cuisine in an ornate setting softened by lots of greenery. Plenty of hot and spicy choices on the menu. Great for either a quick lunch or a relaxing four-course meal. Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-9:30 pm. Reservations helpful. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 194 Union Station, phone 314-621-6888.

Robata of Japan—Dinner prepared at your table by skilled chefs wielding big knives. Lunch: 11:30 am-1:30 pm daily. Dinner: Monday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-10:30 pm, Sunday 4-9:30 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 111 West Port Plaza, 12th Floor, Gold Tower Building, West Port (about 20 minutes from downtown), phone 314-434-1007.

Zoe's Pan Asian Cafe—A great Central West End source for Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese dishes. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-3 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-10 pm, Friday 5:30-11 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm, Sunday 5-10 pm. $$. Most major credit cards. 4753 McPherson Ave., phone 314-361-0013.

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Kopperman's—A good breakfast spot within easy walking distance from most Central West End hotels. This is a deli/grocery specializing in omelets, French toast, blintzes, lox platters and Idaho trout. Indoor/outdoor seating. Sunday-Thursday 7 am-6 pm (Wednesday open to 8 pm), Friday and Saturday 7:30 am-10 pm. $. Most major credit cards. 386 N. Euclid Ave., phone 314-361-0100.

CONTINENTAL

Balaban's—In the heart of the historic Central West End district, about 10 minutes from downtown. Balaban's specialties include beef Wellington, mesquite-grilled swordfish and roast Long Island duckling. Fresh seafood daily and a distinguished wine list. Sidewalk cafe offers lighter fare. Monday-Thursday 6-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11:30 pm, Sunday 11 am-3 pm (brunch) and 5-10:30 pm. (Hours are complicated, and those for the sidewalk cafe differ from those inside the restaurant; call first.) Reservations recommended. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 405 N. Euclid, phone 314-361-8085.

GERMAN

Bevo Mill—Authentic German dishes as well as fish, prime rib and lobster, all served in this re-creation of a working Dutch windmill built in 1916 by August A. Busch. It's 10 minutes from downtown. Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-9 pm, Sunday brunch 9:30 am-2 pm, Sunday dinner 4-9 pm. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. South of downtown—worth a taxi ride—at 4749 Gravois, phone 314-481-2626.

ITALIAN (INCLUDING PIZZERIAS)

Bar Italia—Authentic and nouvelle Italian cuisine in a European-style trattoria setting about five minutes from downtown. Great pastas, seafood and homemade gelato. Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, coffee and desserts until midnight Friday and Saturday. Opening hours are complicated in their detail, so call first. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 4656 Maryland (Central West End), phone 314-361-7010.

Charlie Gitto's 'On the Hill'—Home of the St. Louis original toasted ravioli: Dropped into oil instead of water, smothered with Parmesan and dipped in marinara sauce, those firm little pockets are a perfect appetizer. For a perfect dessert, try Charlie's mom's recipe for tiramisu. Open for dinner only Monday, Thursday and Sunday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 5226 Shaw Ave. (in the Hill section of south St. Louis), phone 314-772-8898.

Gian-Peppe's—Dinner at Gian-Peppe's is like having a meal cooked by an Italian grandmother. Reservations suggested. Jackets recommended. Monday-Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 5-11 pm. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 2126 Marconi, phone 314-772-3303.

Giovanni's on the Hill—Award-winning, 20-year-old restaurant serves fantastic pasta and is considered the best Italian restaurant on the Hill. Choose the cannoli for dessert. Monday-Saturday 5-11 pm. Jackets recommended. Reservations helpful. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 5201 Shaw Blvd., phone 314-772-5958.

LATE NIGHT

Boomer's—Bar serving pizza, chicken wings and sandwiches daily till 2 am. $. 707 Clamorgan Alley (Laclede's Landing), phone 314-621-8155.

Chris' Pancake & —A St. Louis breakfast favorite, it's open daily 24 hours (except for a brief closing Sunday 2:30-7 am). A comfortably casual place, it's also sought out for its fried chicken and pork chops. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 5980 Southwest (South City, 20 minutes from downtown), phone 314-645-2088.

Key West Cafe—Great grouper sandwiches, but don't neglect the oysters, barbecued shrimp, burgers and key lime pie, either. Open daily 11 am-2 am. $-$$. Most major credit cards. Union Station, 18th and Market, phone 314-241-2566.

SEAFOOD

Harry's Restaurant and Bar—Harry's has developed a huge following for its fresh seafood specials, smokehouse offerings and seasonal American cuisine. Lunch daily 11 am-3 pm. Bar and dining room open Monday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, to midnight Friday and Saturday. Sunday open to 9 pm. Reservations suggested for dinner. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 2144 Market St. (downtown near Union Station), phone 314-421-6969.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

Cardwell's—California-style cuisine fashioned from the freshest of ingredients. Great seafood, pates, duck. Full wine list. Lunch Monday-Saturday 11:30 am-2:30 pm, dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11:30 pm. Reservations recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 8100 Maryland (Clayton), phone 314-726-5055.

Fitz's Restaurant and Bottling Company—The world's first root beer microbrewery. Frosted mugs serve up the ancient Fitzgerald recipe in a cavernous room (lobby of a former bank building). Burgers, pizza, pasta available, and the splendid bottling machinery is in full view. Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, to midnight Friday and Saturday, to 10 pm Sunday. 6605 Delmar (University City), phone 314-726-9555.

Remy's Kitchen and Wine Bar—This hugely popular Clayton restaurant specializes in "small plates"—a tapas-like format that encourages you to sample three or four modest helpings of such entrees as an endive-walnut salad, portabello bruschetta or risotto cake. With them you may order a "flight"—glasses of three related wines for sipping and comparing. $$-$$$. Most major credit cards. 222 S. Bemiston, Clayton, phone 314-726-5757.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard—Stop by for a famous "Concrete" to go—these shakes are so thick you can turn them upside down (and the staff does so before serving them to you). A St. Louis tradition since the late 1920s and a Route 66 institution. Open February-December 11 am-11 pm daily. $. 6726 Chippewa, phone 314-481-2652.

Top of the Riverfront—St. Louis' only revolving rooftop restaurant, with a panoramic view from the 28th floor. However, your attention may well be riveted instead on your delicious entree—possibly Louisiana shrimp, crested pheasant or roast Alexander duckling. Valet parking. Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. 200 S. 4th St., phone 314-241-3191.