The Noble Crown (300 N. Euclid) fills a long-vacant centerpiece in the Central West End, serving American dishes conceptualized by John Perkins, as well as chef de cuisine Matt Daughaday, executive chef Adam Gnau, and executive sous chef Dan LeGrand.
The restaurant—which will eventually include a wine bar called Underground Crown, as well as private dining spaces—is a collaboration between restaurateur Kevin Brennan and the Saint Louis Chess Club. Many of the club’s dignitaries, including president and chairman of the board Rex Sinquefield, were on hand for the June 10 ribbon-cutting, ahead of The Noble Crown’s opening-day lunch service. Here’s what to know before you go.
The Atmosphere
Within minutes of opening, The Noble Crown felt like it had always been a neighborhood hangout. A trio of women came in to chat over a leisurely lunch. The owner of a nearby business dropped by for a burger. Customers claimed seats at the bar, their conversations floating over the soft music, as the staff mixed the first cocktails under the newly minted liquor license.
The bar is a visual magnet. Framed by a striking blonde wood arch against a black-tiled background, it mirrors the design of the light fixtures throughout. The adjacent wall features another key visual element: a long rectangular window where diners can get a peek into the kitchen.
The dining room seats 55 at tables and banquettes arranged to maximize the view onto Euclid and Maryland through floor-to-ceiling windows. Visible directly across the intersection is another concept coming soon from Brennan, an old-school sports tavern called the Marvel S. Fox (2 Maryland Plaza)…