The Joint: Roxane 12 North Meramec Avenue, Clayton; 314-721-7700
The Hours: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m.
The Deal: $2 domestic bottles, $3 premium bottles, $3.50 well drinks, $5 wines by the glass, half off select appetizers.
The Scene: There's a gentle confidence to Roxane. With a low glow lighting the bar and mirrored mosaics adorning the walls, the place is sheik and understated with a welcoming staff. The beer selection is well varied, but the main attraction here comes in the form of apps and wines that are on special. The wine selection is broad and mid-priced, and as for food, there are items to please vegetarian, health-conscious and grease-craving patrons alike. Although management recently changed the appetizer menu -- 86-ing the corn fritters is a crying shame -- everything here tastes good.
Why You'll Go Back: If you're an aspiring foodie, Roxane is a good place to begin your culinary education. There's an approachable but respectable wine list, and small plates that will help your palate evolve from chicken wings and beer to more sophisticated wine-and-food pairings.
The Verdict: Without feeling stuffy or highbrow, Roxane offers superior food, drinks and service, and it's centrally located in Clayton -- in short, a great place to unwind and treat yourself and your belly at the same time.
