Sooooo….If Only I felt that these had been missed but it is time for an actual DINER REVIEW! Places open, places close and sometimes they open and close without comment but it shall not be the case with The Kingside Diner. The Central West End has long been underserved by decent breakfast places. For most of my extensive adult life you could choose between Koppermans and The Majestic. Koppermans has always been an interesting choice but with limited seating and a staff that was and is...eclectic in regard to their service (sometimes fabulous, often dismissive) it became harder and harder and once I was denied the pleasures of a bagel and cream cheese with smoked trout (due to celiac) to choose. The Majestic was of course the classic Greek diner, bustling, average food prepared sometimes carelessly but great ambience and alas, now closed. You could grab a hotel breakfast at the Chase (pricey) and occasionally other places would offer breakfast service but it was always a half hearted effort.
So there was a need… there is a need and based on my first trip I think The Kingside is going to fill those needs. Although I generally despise the politics and am suspicious of the motives of Rex Sinquefield (our very own, home grown Koch brother) he has done something very interesting and possibly fascinating with his St. Louis International Chess gambit and the devil, indeed must be paid his due… but do not loose sight of the likelihood that he is indeed the devil….but I digress.
The Kingside is a relentlessly interesting, high quality place to grab a little breakfast. It sits next to the Chess club in the place formerly operated by Lesters (an interesting gambit for a BBQ sports bar location) and Lester Miller did spend some money on a nice build out, a great deal of which still remains. High quality lighting, televisions, a full bar and modern bathrooms are part of that legacy. The place over all is very pleasing to the eye and seems very clean and well maintained. You could do a business breakfast here or bring out of town guests and be very confident of the choice. You can also sit at the bar which serves as a de facto counter if you want to dine alone and do not want to take up a table.
I visited on Labor Day and it was quiet but several people were availing themselves to the outdoor seating which seemed perfect on a hazy, holiday Monday. I would imagine it picks up pretty heavy traffic for brunch and certainly for lunch but, breakfast it our thing here at the Diner Review. My server was very polite and paid good attention though he might have had slight Brit affectations. I think my wife would have found him charming. I was seated by the window with a view of the street and sidewalk and watched a lot of dog walkers and morning people putting on the CWE show which is just different than anywhere else in the Lou. They quickly brought me my iced tea and it was properly brewed and delightful. The menu for breakfast is ample…
...including a Piggies in Blanket Sandwich, Bagels and Lox and Quinoa Pancakes and “Cheddar Drop Biscuits” all of which seemed interesting. They also sport the:
Kingside Slinger
Hash
chorizo chili, your choice of toast $10
I will definitely give that a try some morning.
But I was there to same my breakfast staple of two eggs over easy, hash browns (crisp) and sausage or bacon. The over easy eggs are always a good test and these were perfect. Also, their hash browns were shredded (as God ordained for “hash browns”) and properly browned. The portion was pleasingly small leaving me satisfied but wanting more. The sausage was frankly like the relatively bland but unobjectionable sausage of the old Majestic (small tear in my eye). The whole plate was hot and delicious and I think if you can do this meal well it bodes well for the rest of the menu.I am going to urge you to try this place. Bring a date, bring a friend and come before the parking on Laclede goes to hell (so come early). There is a paid lot next store but it increases the breakfast cost dramatically. Tip well and become a regular, I am considering doing the same. I think with the quality of food and service and the deep pockets of the owner that this has the possibility of becoming a long St. Louis tradition. We need more them.
