CAFÉ MADELEINE (St. Louis. Missouri)
The first thing you notice about Café Madeleine is the amazing setting. As you enter the main gates of Tower Grove Park, off to your left, reposing behind a lily pond and a profusion of green, is the Piper Palm House, the oldest greenhouse west of the Mississippi (built in 1878). Step inside to see sunlight flooding in through the many windows and rows of palms and other greenery lining the walls. Then your eye strays to the buffet in the center, which is colorfully eye-catching. Step up to the tables groaning with food, and you’ll find such marvels as arugula/peach or spinach/feta/raspberry salads, a tempting array of cheese, fruit, vegetables, smoked salmon, and all the fixings. Dig into roasted Brussels sprouts with pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, or a gorgeous fingerling potato salad. There’s a create-your-own omelet station and another area for waffles with a variety of toppings. Desserts range from their eponymous madeleines to minimuffins, pinwheel cookies, and bread pudding. If it feels like a special event, it is, as the Palm House is not open as a restaurant and Sunday’s brunch is catered by the local company Butler’s Pantry. It’s the perfect spot for a birthday or anniversary, or simply to take a loved one to enjoy some great food in a stunning setting. 4256 Magnolia Ave., St. Louis MO. Tel: 314-575-5658. Brunch served Sunday 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. www.cafemadeleinestl.com
Café Madeleine
