A to Z date days

11/05/2025

The letter P…Saturday November 1

Tucked into a quiet corner of St. Louis, Piccadilly at Manhattan is the kind of neighborhood spot that proves you don’t need a sprawling menu or endless seating to deliver a memorable meal. Known for its pot pies and fish fry, this unassuming bar-restaurant turns comfort food into something worth savoring.

We started with wings—huge, meaty, and glazed in a perfectly balanced sweet-and-spicy house sauce—and NOLA shrimp that could have been airlifted straight from the Gulf. For mains, the chicken pot pie was a standout: it’s crust light, flaky, and rich with buttery flavor. The meatloaf, though competently made, featured a mystery spice that kept us guessing—and debating.

The ambience leans cozy and nostalgic, with a touch of well-earned neighborhood charm. Service can feel a bit stretched during busy hours, but the warmth and effort shine through.

With a menu that punches well above its size, Piccadilly at Manhattan is a local favorite for good reason. Next on our list: the short rib pot pie and the fried chicken —because some temptations deserve a second visit.

10/01/2025

10/01/2025

O is for OG Dumpling House: The Artist Formerly Known as Pizza Hut

For our “O” dinner, we found ourselves at OG Dumpling House on Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst, NY. “OG” apparently stands for “Original,” which our waiter cheerfully confirmed. Personally, I like to think it means “Overindulgent Gorging,” which is exactly what we did.

The menu is straightforward: dumplings (fried, steamed, and everything in between), noodles, and ramen. Naturally, we ordered like we hadn’t eaten in weeks—steamed pork dumplings, fried veggie dumplings, pork belly buns (because why stop at just two kinds?), Singapore noodles, crab Rangoon (because duh, it’s mandatory), and shumai topped with shrimp, which we justified as a “something different” choice.

The clear winner? Singapore noodles. Golden, curry-kissed strands of deliciousness that we ended up fighting over like siblings at Thanksgiving. The not-so-winners? The shumai and the pork belly buns—let’s just say they’ll be invited to fewer family gatherings.

Atmosphere-wise, the place is delightfully no-frills. Imagine your childhood Pizza Hut stripped of its red roof and sprinkled with golden dumplings. You order at the table, the food arrives piping hot and suspiciously fast, and before you know it you’re sipping jasmine tea wondering if you can sneak in “just one more dumpling.”

As for the crowd? A mix of families wrangling kids, college students carbo-loading before exams, and retirees treating themselves to dumpling therapy. Prices are friendly, portions are generous, and you’ll leave with both a full belly and the faint smell of curry following you home like a loyal pet.

Final verdict: O is officially for “Oh wow, I ate too much.”

09/20/2025

The Letter “N”

For “N,” we found ourselves back in Western New York for a Buffalo Bills game. And on game day—September 18—we ended up at a little strip-mall gem called Natalie’s Mediterranean Eatery. Now, to be fair, someone did suggest a restaurant that started with “N”… but it was actually 99. Nice try, Marie Goodloe, but that’s a number. We’re playing alphabet ball here.

Natalie’s turned out to be the kind of place you’d want in your neighborhood—a cozy lunch spot serving all the Mediterranean hits. From soup to falafel to shawarma to baba ganoush (or “kanosh” if you’re us after a Bills tailgate), they had it covered.

We kicked things off with their homemade mushroom soup. It had a little onion in the mix, which gave it a twist we didn’t see coming—but a good one. For the main event, I went traditional with a Gyro wrap that was equal parts tasty and garlic-loaded. Let’s just say, there wasn’t a whole lot of smooching happening afterward. Katie went with the Beef Shawarma wrap, which came loaded with fresh veggies and plenty of flavor. Both were winners.

What really stood out, though, was the staff—they greeted everyone like they were walking into Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. Warm, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see you.

All in all, Natalie’s was a great find, a perfect pre-game lunch stop, and a solid entry for the letter N. Now… bring on the letter O!

09/10/2025

For our “M” dinner, we went truly international—crossing the border into Ft. Erie, Ontario, just to dine at the legendary Ming-Teh. (Passports for potstickers? Absolutely worth it.)

We started with spring rolls so crisp and fresh they practically deserved their own passport stamp—especially when paired with the zingy spicy mustard. The steamed vegetable dumplings, however, were a little too polite for our taste. Let’s just say they whispered when we wanted them to sing.

For mains, the Kang Pao Shrimp—ordered medium spicy—was maximum delicious. The Beef with Japanese mushrooms came smothered in a rich, savory gravy that was so good we briefly considered applying for dual citizenship.

On the way back to the U.S., we made a spontaneous stop at Kone King, where a twist cone with sprinkles became the sweetest end to our international adventure. Because no travelogue is complete without dessert!

08/20/2025

The Letter L

Katie and I are still at it—our noble quest of A-to-Z date days. Yesterday was Taco Tuesday, and fate (or maybe just hunger) led us to a place in my hometown of East Aurora that somehow had escaped me all these years: Left Coast Taco. Hard to believe, given the number of times I’ve staggered past it after “just one more” at the local bars. Apparently, tacos don’t call out as loudly as closing-time leftovers in my refrigerator. Who knew?

We kicked things off at our old faithful watering hole, Wallenweins Hotel. Katie zeroed in on her beloved birch b**r, while I stayed loyal to my trusty light b**r—a tradition so firm it probably deserves its own commemorative plaque.

Once properly “hydrated,” we wandered down to Left Coast Taco. While waiting to order, Katie whispered something about guacamole and chips, and—like magic—they appeared. Either the staff there is psychic, or Katie has been hiding Jedi powers from me all this time. (If she starts levitating margaritas, I’m in trouble.) Speaking of margaritas, Katie ordered one, gave it a big thumbs-up, and declared it “muy bueno.” I stuck with my light b**r because, hey, consistency is my superpower.

For entrées, Katie went with the Malitas while I tackled the appropriately named El Jefé burrito. “El Jefé” translates to “The Boss,” and believe me, this burrito was in charge. By the time I finished, I was one guacamole-smeared napkin away from calling it El Nap Time. Katie’s dish was equally delicious, and together we waddled out full, happy, and already plotting our return.

Left Coast Taco: consider us converted disciples.

On to the Letter M

08/16/2025

The letters J and K

Today was a double-header in our A-to-Z Date Day adventures—we tackled both J and K in one fell swoop. First stop: Jilly’s Cupcakes. Let’s just say the cupcakes were heavenly, and so were the prices—my wallet whimpered a little, but my taste buds forgave me. We walked out with a six-pack (the cupcake kind, sadly, not the abs kind) featuring: The Stan, The Bee Sting, Strawberry Crunch, plus the classics—yellow with chocolate frosting and chocolate with vanilla frosting. Sharing them with family earned us major brownie points… or should I say cupcake points.

Next up: Katie’s Pizza & Pasta. We started with the lunch special: pepperoni pizza and fried artichoke salad. It was our first time with fried artichokes, and now I’m wondering why no one has been frying artichokes for me my whole life. They’re officially on the “must-repeat” list.

The huckleberry burrata with prosciutto appetizer nearly stole the whole show. Honestly, I could have ordered three of those and called it a day—main course, dessert, and midnight snack.

We also tried the pasta…Fiori Arrabiata with meatballs. A little spicy, a little meaty. Our philosophy is simple: judge a restaurant by its meatballs. Katie’s scored high—solid meatballs that would make any Italian grandmother nod in approval. Two thumbs up from us.

The only hiccup? The noise level. Midday, the place was packed with energetic kids who seemed to be powered by pure sugar and chaos. Maybe I’m just getting old… or maybe I just need to start carrying earplugs as part of my “fine dining survival kit.”

We have a surprise for the next few letters…more to come. Stay cool.

07/26/2025

Katie

07/26/2025

The Letter “I”

After a long hiatus, we decided to reboot our A-to-Z Date Days. We left off at the letter H in early May, and now — finally — we’re back at it with the letter I.

For this adventure, we picked a spot in what I would’ve once called “the St. Louis hood.” But to our surprise, it was anything but that. Tucked into a corner of the city was what can only be described as an iconic dive bar: The Iowa Buffet.

Let’s be clear — it’s not in Iowa, and it’s definitely not a buffet. It’s a local corner bar that’s been around since 1945, a true relic of the city. The moment we walked in, the Grateful Dead was playing and the smell of barbecue filled the air. There was no printed menu, just a handwritten sign listing the day’s offerings — no prices, no frills. Just brisket, pork steaks, corn on the cob, and pasta salad.

I ordered a tall PBR — not just a pint, but a full 24-ouncer — while Katie went with a Kona draft, which she described as delightful. When we asked the bartender (who also turned out to be the owner) about the food, she offered up brisket and pork steaks. Katie ordered her brisket “naked,” while I went with the brisket sandwich. The meat was tender and delicious, and the sides were as fresh as they come.

We did have one regret: the place is famous for its hamburgers, cooked on antique broilers that were built for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The bar owns two of the three still in existence. But alas — no burgers that day. All the more reason to go back.

The Iowa Buffet is the kind of place filled with stories, characters, and charm — exactly why we do these date days in the first place. For the food, the atmosphere, and the sense of history, we’d absolutely recommend a trip.

On to the letter J!

05/07/2025

The Letter H

Inspired by a novel that Katie is reading about Cuba, for our Letter H dinner we went to Havana‘s Cuisine, a family restaurant in the Central West End of St. Louis. Katie had the traditional Cuba Libre (rum and cola with lime) and I had H2O, as I was the designated driver.

We started off with an empanada appetizer that was out of this world… One was beef and cheese and the other chorizo and cheese. Mmmmm

Drumroll, please…… for our main course we selected the Lover’s Dinner for Two, which is a sampling of their famous dishes, along with black beans and plantains. Katie‘s favorite were the plantains, of course, because she likes anything sweet (that’s why she’s married to me). The entrées were amazing, especially the Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice) and Mojo Pork (shredded pork and onions).

All in all, we had a very nice experience at this casual restaurant. If you’re looking for fancy, this is not the place, but if you’re looking to enjoy excellent food in a quaint environment, head down to Havana‘s Cuisine.

We are really enjoying this adventure and hope you are enjoying our updates. We do need your help though… Please help us with dining suggestions for upcoming letters, if you have them.

Talk to you soon.

Katie and Michael