Stone Cellar Fondue & Wine

Along with Missouri wines, I have a passion for exploring new restaurants and experiencing new foods. I didn't have to go far to find Stone Cellar Fondue & Wine. I had literally walked by it dozens of times on Historic Main Street St. Charles with ever noticing it. It is tucked away in the basement of Garden Cafe Ala Fleur and has a small sign which they only display while they are open (Thursday -Saturday, 5-11pm). This tiny restaurant, bursting with ambiance has been providing the a unique dining option in St. Charles for over a year now. We had the pleasure of being served by the Director of Operations, Lincoln Blaire. Him and his wife, chef Krista Farmer, provide spectator service along with adventurous, delightful fondue! For our first visit we decided to go with "In The Mediterranean" and added steak as an additional dipper. The Mexican Fiesta and At the Ballpark were close runner ups!

Touring Tuscany - Red wine fondue infused with garlic marinara sauce, fresh parsley and ground black pepper: Ziti noodles, broccoli florets, cannellini beans, roasted potatoes, hand rolled meatballs, crusty bread, and cauliflower.

They have about 20 options on their wine list as well as domestic and craft/import beers. They even have one Missouri wine, Augusta Winery's Vidal Blanc, which was a pleasant surprise! A red wine was suggested to pair with our meal choice, so I went with the Cocobon from California. The meal was exquisite. The fondue was prepared on our table, and the smell made our mouths water. The dippers paired well with the cheese. My favorite was the hand rolled meatballs and Ziti noodles which when dipped in the fondue made me feel like I was really in Italy.

This restaurant probably holds no more than 40 people, so make sure you have a reservation. It is perfect for a romantic date night or a late night happy hour destination with friends or colleagues. The cheese is to die for, the service is top-notch, and the cellar environment will make you want to visit again and again!

Wine Bars in St. Charles County

It sure is fun to go out and explore the Missouri wine regions and see the countryside when the temperatures start rising, but what about all the possibilities that are right here in St. Louis?

Within the confines of St. Charles County one can find a plethora of wine bars to choose from.  Each with their own distinct flare and wine selections that will please even the most specific of pallets.

St. Charles County

If you're coming from St. Louis and you have to cross the river into St. Charles County, you'd better make a stop at one of these awesome wine bars!

Unkorked Wine Garden - Wentzville, MO

Unkorked is a pleasant house turned wine bar affair.  The place is owned by a mother/daughter duo, and they know their wine.  They've converted the old garage into a sweet place to hang out.  They've got live music often and their patio is perfect for relaxing.  Right in the old part of Wentzville, Unkorked is most definitely a place to "chill".  We recommend the Allegro Moscato and Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Domain Street Wine Bar - St. Charles, MO in "New Town"

 

Domain is a wonderful place to experience New Town first hand if you've never been.  Equipped with TVs, a pool table, darts, and a modern yet laid back feel, Domain will keep you coming back for more.  Check out a game of sand volleyball right out the front door or take a stroll along one of New Town's many avenues or waterways.  We recommend Heavenly Retreat Riesling paired with Shakespeare's Pizza.

The Vine - St. Charles, MO on "Main"

Main street in St. Charles offers plenty of shopping, dining, and of course drinking.  You've got your pick of a couple places that will definitely please.  The Vine is one of them!  The restaurant/wine bar is very intimate and only seats a select few, lucky guests.  Be sure to call ahead to reserve your spot.  This is a great place to take a date if you really want to impress. We recommend anything from their reds selection.  Be sure to check out Grandma's Cookies down the street for dessert!

Picasso's Coffee House - St. Charles, MO on "Main"

Though we never get "down" from wine indulgence sometimes we need a little pick-me-up.  Picasso's offers the best of both worlds with their delicious, uniquely styled coffees and a wine selection to boot!  Pick up a cup of joe or grab a glass of vino because this charming place is filled to the brim with hip.  We recommend the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino for a break from wine. 

Saint Charles Coffee Cafe & Wine Bar  - St. Peters, MO

Don't get confused! Even though it is called St. Charles Coffee Cafe & Wine Bar, it is in St. Peters.  Regardless of location, this place is worth the trek down 94 from I-70.  Why?  They have an awesome atmosphere, complete with a patio and wine slushies!  It is definitely one of our favorites for cooling off after some yard work.  Swing on by for a piece of cake/pie or relax to the tunes of a local artist.  We recommend Wine Slushies.

Rendezvous Cafe and Wine Bar - O'Fallon, MO

Schedule some time to make a rendezvous with wines from around the world at Revdenzous Café and Wine Bar. They offer over 400 different wines and each month they highlight new wines and offer wine flights. They also have wine tastings and classes such as "Merlots from Around the World" and  "Paint Your Own Wine Glass." Come in for some live music, stay for their large menu which includes tapas, pizzas, and much more, and explore wines from around the globe. We recommend sampling the Monthly Featured Wines.