Politics à la carte: Where politicians dine
Our local politicians are pelted by constituents 24 hours a day. They hear about the pot-hole, the broken street-light, and the over-flowing dumpster. They bump into people at coffee shops, they see constituents at the dry cleaners, and say hello in line at the grocery store. After all the hello’s and how-are-you-doing’s, they come home at night to messages on their answering machine. It’s a never-off-the-clock job.
But what would be exhausting for mere mortals isn’t necessarily for them. Politicians aren’t just people persons, they’re people animals. So when they go out to eat or grab a drink, they generally want to see and be seen. I think the accessibility of our political class is one the most endearing aspects of life in St. Louis.
Here’s where you’re likely to see them:
Two city aldermen run their own watering holes. Their bars are natural gathering places of political people. Joe Vollmer owns Milo’s (5201 Wilson Ave., 314-776-0468). It’s popular with his fellow south-side aldermen. Ken Ortmann’s Cat’s Meow (2600 S. 11th St., 314-776-8617) might as well be listed as the headquarters for the city’s Young Democrats.
Then there are places that are more clubby. Beffa’s (2700 Olive St., 314-652-7429), which is located on the (née A.G. Edwards) parking lot, is one of the few. There’s no sign on the door, and no listing in the phone book.
There’s nothing spectacular about the food, nothing you wouldn’t find in my kitchen. Just comfort food staples like mashed potatoes, roast beef sandwiches, and deviled eggs. But you can’t dine there without seeing a former senator, a City Hall staffer, or a high-powered lobbyist.
Of course having achieved a cult-like status, they slyly perpetuate it. As the customers slide through the small cafeteria-style counter line, the regulars are addressed by name. There are no prices listed anywhere. I’ve had good friends swear that they’ve watched two customers order the identical same thing. The regular customer’s fare will be a couple of dollars lower. It’s like they look at what you’ve ordered, look at who you are, and make a secret calculation to arrive at a mystical place called “Price.”
CBGB (3163 S. Grand Blvd., 314-773-9743) draws politicals on Wednesday nights. You might see State Senator Jeff Smith, political consultant Pat Jakopchek, and 15th Ward boss Jan Clinite gamely trying to win that bar’s trivia contest while enjoying the shuffle-board.
The Royale (3132 Kingshighway, 314-772-3600) draws a good political crowd. Owner Steve Smith has cultivated the clientele in part by naming drinks after them. Where else would first term representative Jake Zimmerman find a libation named The Zimmerman for which he was the inspiration? For single politicians like Zimmerman, you can’t tell me that that doesn’t score cool points on a first date.
Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar, 314-727-4444) is popular with out-of-town politicians. I once watched Speaker Rod Jetton argue about the nature of homosexuality with some Washington University students, while a befuddled bartender pleaded with the animated crowd to obey his admonition that it was closing time.
Other places well-frequented: Lafayette Square’s Sqwires (1415 S. 18th St., 314-865-3522) serves as a second office for Lewis Reed, president of the Board of Aldermen.
On the north end of the Central West End, members of the black clergy meet at Del Monico’s (4909 Delmar Blvd., 314-361-0973) every morning. The mayor’s father runs St. Raymond’s (939 Lebanon Drive, 314-241-8248). Politicians gather there for lunch every Wednesday. Goody-Goody Diner (5900 Natural Bridge Road, 314-383-3333) has been a staple for decades among the older politicians. Chris’ Pancake and Dining (5980 Southwest Ave., 314-645-2088) is popular with city-wide elected officials like Mariano Favazza, Sharon Carpenter and Jim Murphy.
You can e-mail Dave Drebes at dave@moscout.com.
