The 32 Essential St. Louis Restaurants

"A punk rock pinball bar located in a historically Bosnian neighborhood may not seem a likely place for a great bowl of bibimbap, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Tiny Chef, the small, window-service restaurant established, owned, and operated by chef Melanie Meyer in the back of the Silver Ballroom. Thursday to Sunday evenings, Meyer offers Korean food that pops with the vibrant flavors of gochujang, gochugaru, and fermented soy, all rooted in tradition without being bound by it. There’s a regular menu of bibimbap, tacos, kimchi fried rice, and jjigae, along with specials like homemade tteokbokki, nuclear fire noodles, and a popular Korean crab boil, all available for pickup and takeout. Or you can drop a couple quarters into the Ballroom’s juke box and play a few Devo tunes while you dine in the bar area. While some chefs draw inspiration from cookbooks or Instagram, Meyer produces food that feels sincere, deeply personal, and flavored with great care." - Holly Fann