Boathouse Forest Park

There are many scenic places to have a meal in St. Louis, and the Boathouse Forest Park is among the best. Opt for a seat on the outdoor patio or in the enclosed porch, and you'll not only look out on a beautiful boat basin but up a rolling green lawn toward the St. Louis Art Museum. It's one of the best views in the city's 1,293-acre Forest Park. The restaurant itself is modest, conjuring up a country-kitchen feel that in the winter is made complete with a blaze in the fireplace anchoring the dining room. Thanks to a long bank of large windows, a good deal of natural light enhances the building's interior. For the most part, this is a soup-and-sandwich kind of place, with the typical burger, club sandwich and salad options. On a cold day, you can't beat the chicken and white bean chili. There are a few other items that spice things up, such as the flank steak with dark-ale rarebit sauce and fried onion straws or the smoked brisket sandwich with bourbon molasses barbecue sauce on an onion brioche roll (both $9). The lunch and dinner menus are identical. In addition to beer and wine, they offer three specialty drinks: Lakeside Lemonade, Coconut Rum Sangria and a Blue Lagoon Margarita.