Ladue, Frontenac, Olivette Feature Five Best Picks for Breakfast

It is said that one cannot start the day without a good breakfast. But what, exactly, comprises “good?” The famous St. Louis Slinger? Steel-cut oats? A cheese danish? Or, perhaps, leftover pizza, courtesy of Red L?

Our area does not slouch in the breakfast arena and offers whatever the heart or stomach desires.

The Provinces at the Frontenac Hilton, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd., serve basic breakfasts with the Frontenac flair. Their French toast is made with cinnamon raisin bread, which takes it to a whole new level. Bacon or sausage, along with fruit and maple syrup accompany the dish for $9.95. The All American—two eggs made to order, with applewood-smoked bacon or sausage—comes with your choice of toast or a bagel for $12.95. The Broadway, with two eggs, and toast or a bagel with smoked salmon and red onion, is $12.95. Workout buffs can order The Fitness, a bran muffin, fresh fruit, berries, crunchy granola and fresh-squeezed orange or grapefruit juice for $12.95.

Frontenac and Ladue denizens have been frequenting Schneithorst’s at 1600 S. Lindbergh Blvd., through all its reincarnations for their lunches, dinners and happy hours. The restaurant also puts out a great breakfast in a cozy, bright atmosphere. For $8.25, the Triple Play with ham, sausage, bacon, two eggs, hash browns and toast will stay diners until lunch. With the Traveler’s Delight, diners receive two eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, toast and jelly for $8.25. The 2+2+2+2—two eggs, two bacon strips, two ling sausages, two buttermilk pancakes and toast goes for $8.50.

Some breakfast fans think that you can’t beat cozying up to the counter in a diner and watching your breakfast sizzle on the griddle. That’s why the Olivette Diner, 9638 Olive Blvd., manages to fill up the counter and tables most every morning since 1958. It offers eggs Benedict covered in homemade hollandaise sauce and served with crispy hash browns, or try the diner’s special spin—the Spinach Tomato Benny, which is the same as the Benedict but with grilled, fresh spinach and tomato instead of ham. Then there’s the Hot Hash and Holly, potatoes O’Brien (hash brown with onions, green peppers, and ham), topped with melted cheddar, two eggs, and homemade hollandaise sauce.

The menu does not end there. Try the Spinach Tomato Scramble, fresh spinach, tomatoes and brie cheese scrambled into three eggs. It's served with hash browns and toast for $7.49. Prefer your breakfast nice and tidy? Try the Breakfast Burrito, hash browns topped with melted cheddar, sausage and scrambled eggs all wrapped up inside a tortilla and covered with salsa and sour cream. All of these items are $7.49. Plus, late risers will appreciate breakfast being served all day. 

Owner Vincent DiBlasi said good quick service is the secret. And the fact that the '70s rock band Head East shot its album cover at the Olivette Diner’s counter helps, too.“We get a lot of people in here wanting to see the exact shot,” DiBlasi said.

While Deer Creek Café at 9820 Clayton Rd., is new to the area, word of mouth has made this coffee shop a favorite stop for many breakfast seekers.

More than just delicious giant muffins, Deer Creek offers the Lox on Bagel, Alaskan salmon served atop low-fat cream cheese and topped with capers, onions and tomato for $8.95, or Potato Pancakes with Smoked Trout for $7.35. Sandwich lovers can make their own egg sandwiches by choosing from a variety of veggies, breads, cheeses, meats and toppings for $6.95. 

Owners Marcy and Rick Williams go for excellence by offering fresh-squeezed orange juice every day. “We also have our coffee roasted daily by Chauvin Coffee Company,” Marcy said.

They also feature those three words true breakfast lovers love to hear: Breakfast all day.

Years ago, Starbucks started out by serving only coffee, espresso and lattes. Then came frappucinos, smoothies, and muffins. Now they have entered the breakfast market with items such as the spinach, roasted tomato, feta and egg white wrap for $3.25 which has garnered many followers. Sandwich lovers can choose the reduced-fat turkey bacon, egg white and white cheddar breakfast sandwich for $2.95. For fitness freaks, there’s oatmeal with dried fruit, nuts and brown sugar for $2.65.   

So, something for every taste, whether you are rushed or in a lazy mood. There’s something about sitting down for a good breakfast that bodes well for the rest of the day. Enjoy. Have a good morning!