FOOD, DRINK & NIGHTLIFE

BEST MODERN MEXICAN CUISINE

Malinche

It ain’t your average taco joint. This West County cantina takes Mexican fare upscale, serving up molotitos, among other specialties. Deep-fried masa wedges are chubby with a potato and chorizo filling. Chocolate-hued refried beans and crema puddles decorate things. It’s all arranged into a splendid sculpture. Margaritas are a must—and so are reservations. 15939 Manchester.

FITTING FUSION

Saucy Porka

When East meets West in the kitchen, it’s usually a head-on collision. So you might initially pump the brakes for the “Asian paella, ” Puerto Rican-style jasmine rice tinged carmine with achiote, softened with coconut milk, and studded with sausages and slivers of smoky guajillo pork. Put the pedal to the metal, and dig into a remarkable confluence. 3900 Laclede.

BEST PLACE TO UNWIND

Grafted Wine Bar & Lounge

The inviting wine bar opened in downtown Belleville last summer. Its Old World—style lounge is a welcome setting to relax and savor owner Magda Gilpin’s expertly curated wines and food menu. And with plans in the works for an expanded patio, there will soon be even more room to unwind. 370 E. Washington, Belleville.

BEST SEAFOOD POT PIES (TIE)

Timothy’s + Piccadilly at Manhattan

There’s this verity about a golden cloud of flaky pot pie pastry, rising like a fragrant thunderhead: What’s underneath is almost always delightful. Rarely, though, is it as delicious as pies at these two places, with both serving pot pies filled with a boatload of fresh seafood. 12710 Olive,