Spencer's Grill (223 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-2601) Spencer's Grill has been serving the hungry masses from the same spot since 1947. A quintessential diner, Spencer's make a heck of a breakfast, pancakes and omelets along with other traditional breakfast favorites. But moving into the day, you can find a variety of sandwiches as well as burgers. This is a no-frills establishment; it comes with no surprises -- the patty melt you had last week will be the same patty melt you'll have next week. The five wooden booths and a dozen seats at the counter means you'll need to make friends and maybe become a regular yourself. And why not? Bacon and eggs are $4.75, a double cheeseburger $4.50. A buck buys a side of applesauce. Come and get it!
See also: - Best Lunch Counter - 2007
Cornucopia (107 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-822-2440) Cornucopia is a charming little boutique that appears to contain every kitchen utensil ever created. But we are focusing on the teapots -- glass, steel, ceramic...all kinds. Why, you ask? Because Cornucopia is for tea lovers. Nestled in the back corner of the tightly packed shop is a wall of apothecary jars filled with loose teas from around the world: black, green, oolong; Darjeeling, gunpowder, Assam. For the tea drinker who doesn't know his tea ball from a hole in the ground, Cornucopia also has a wide variety of pre-packaged teas -- Bigelow, Twinings, Marks & Spencer.