Piggybacking on the success of the three “backyard” tents behind The Crossing in Clayton, owner Jim Fiala ordered four 10-by-10 footers for the patio at his sister restaurant, Acero, in Maplewood. They're the perfect size for four to six-ish diners. “The customers love them,” he says, but is "surprised the weather has yet to be a deterrent. We had people in all three tents at The Crossing last night. It was cold outside, but it’s not half bad inside the tents.” General manager Adam Gnau adds that three more tents will be installed on the adjoining grass at Acero. "We have Schlafly Bottleworks to thank for that," he says.

Long before Maplewood was a dining destination, back when St. Louis' Italian restaurants were mostly limited to "white sauce or red?" there was Acero(7266 Manchester Road, Maplewood; 314-644-1790). Jim Fiala's flawlessly executed spot served nothing like the city had ever seen. More than a decade in, Acero feels as stylish, and essential, as ever, with menu items that include a seafood crudo and prosciutto-wrapped pastries called gnocco fritto as well as the expected pasta, fish, steak and rack of lamb.

Acero remains popular more than 15 years after opening on a corner in downtown Maplewood, and for good reason—owner Jim Fiala (who also runs The Crossing in Clayton) sets a high bar for quality food and service in an inviting atmosphere. The four-course tasting menu (starting at $58) spans such options as gnocco fritto, orecchiette, lamb rack, and goat cheese panna cotta.

Since 2007, Acero – Italian for maple, appropriately – has cooked up housemade Italian comfort food in Maplewood, including delicate pastas prepared fresh daily. Its claim to fame, egg raviolo, features a farm-fresh egg yolk wrapped in pasta and topped with a mixture of cheeses. The local yolk melds seamlessly with the dish’s rich sauce for a unique and memorable meal.

St. Louis hadn’t seen an Italian restaurant like Acero when it opened in 2007. Fifteen years later, while numerous excellent Italian restaurants have opened in the meantime, Acero still feels unique. Credit chef and owner Jim Fiala, whose vision of consistent excellence distinguishes both Acero and its older Clayton sibling, the Crossing.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (143 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 7266 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, Saint Louis, MO 63143-2438- Read more on Tripadvisor

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (141 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: Italian– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 7266 Manchester Rd, Maplewood, Saint Louis, MO 63143-2438– Read more on Tripadvisor

Lovely romantic restaurant with a tasting menu that is by far the best bang for your buck. Four courses for $58/person allow you to indulge without breaking the bank. If it’s a special occasion, splurge on the seven-course chef’s grand tasting!