Miso On Meramec   

Occupying what used to be a post-WWII bowling alley located in the heart of Clayton, the restaurant and lounge offers a 4,000 square-foot multi-level feast for the senses. The restaurant can handle large numbers of people and is regularly packed, but with its warm lighting, comfy couches, armchairs, love seats and slipper chairs, it still feels intimate. The chef combines Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese styles to create unique lunch and dinner menus. The tapas-sized portions allow you to eat light or to try a variety of dishes like the flash-fried calamari, cashew-crusted pork tenderloin or soy-garlic marinated beef tenderloin. With time-crunched lunch customers in mind, Miso also added a deli case for carryout sushi and noodles. The lounge is full of singles enjoying DJs and drink specials. -- Hillary Wicai