Araka

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131 Carondelet Plaza Clayton, MO 63105

314-725-6777

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Best Decor
Award Winner 2008

Cuisine(s): Contemporary, Continental, New American

Hours: Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri., Happy Hour: Mon.-Fri. 3-6 p.m., Dinner: 5-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue., 5-10 p.m. Wed.-Thu., 5-10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Closed Sunday

Price: $$$, $$$$

Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, cash, ATM/Debit
Attire: Business-Casual/Dressy

Features: Banquet Facilities, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Private Party, Vegetarian Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible

Serving: Brunch, Dinner, Evening, Lunch

Alcohol: Full bar
Reservations: Accepted, Highly Recommended

Parking: Garage, Meters, Valet

Description

Steven Caravelli, formerly executive chef at Hubert Keller's steak house Sleek, now mans the kitchen at Araka. The menu retains a focus on the cuisines of Europe's Mediterranean coast, though Caravelli intends to home in on local produce and sustainable meat and seafood. New dishes include seared diver scallops with pork belly and a quail egg, a "duo" of local beef and a "tartare" made from beets. Standard and vegetarian tasting menus are available.

2008 | Best Decor

Want your restaurant to have that cosmopolitan sparkle Hire a design firm from New York City. That's what the brains behind Araka, Clayton's terrific Southern European restaurant, did. And the Big Apple's David Schefer Design turned out one of St. Louis' most striking spaces since -- well, ever. The exterior is deceptively simple: black-frame windows and black awnings that follow the curve of the new Carondelet Plaza complex. Step inside and you might have trouble deciding which is... More »

Araka Is Not Closing, OK?

By Ian Froeb | Mon, April 30, 2012

Did you hear the rumor that Araka (131 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton; 314-725-6777) is closing? It's false. Araka is not closing. Funny thing is, Gut Check didn't hear this rumor until we received an e-m... More »
The Gut Check Valentine's Day Reservation Guide: One Day Out

By Ian Froeb | Mon, February 13, 2012

Valentine's Day is TOMORROW, you guys! If you haven't made your dinner reservations yet, you must be screwed, right? (Or not screwed, as it were.) Fear not! Gut Check's perusal of OpenTable has foun... More »
The Gut Check Valentine's Day Reservation Guide: One Week Out Edition

By Ian Froeb | Mon, February 6, 2012

Valentine's Day is a week from tomorrow, you guys! Last week's edition of our Valentine's Day reservation guide found some decent tables available, via OpenTable, at some of St. Louis' favorite resta... More »
Holiday Cocktail Countdown #11: Araka's Autumnal

By Stephen Fairbanks | Fri, December 9, 2011

Like any red-blooded American, Gut Check uses liquid medication to cope with holiday stress. Not only does a good winter cocktail make it possible to tolerate family members, say, inquiring about your... More »
Araka: New Chef, New Menu

By Bryan Peters | Thu, July 21, 2011

When Gut Check learned Sauce Magazine had teamed up with Araka (131 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton; 314-725-6777) to introduce the latter's new chef, Michael Burnau, and unveil his new menu, we instantly f... More »
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rftbestof | St Lous, MO | 149 Reviews

| Wed, May 6, 2009

Want your restaurant to have that cosmopolitan sparkle? Hire a design firm from New York City. That's what the brains behind Araka, Clayton's terrific Southern European restaurant, did. And the Big Apple's David Schefer Design turned out one of St. Louis' most striking spaces since � well, ever. The exterior is deceptively simple: black-frame windows and black awnings that follow the curve of the new Carondelet Plaza complex. Step inside and you might have trouble deciding which is more impressive: the soaring ceiling of the main dining room, the glassed-in wine tower behind the bar or the private, glassed-in dining area that overlooks it all from the second floor. There's ample light for those who've grown weary of reading menus by the glow of their cell phones, but booths and the smaller dining area closer to the kitchen provide a more intimate atmosphere. It's a good thing executive chef Mark Curran's menu is so impressive � otherwise you might never think to look at your plate.

Dinner Menu

Appetizers

$10.00

Araka Pita Spread
olive tapenade, chickpea hummus, edamame puree, grilled pita chips

$14.00

Beef Carpaccio
parmigiano cracker, arugula, sea salt

$13.00

Stuffed New Potatoes
duck confit, pancetta, maple smoked white cheddar, tomato worcestershire

$10.00

Spanish Spring Rolls
calasparra rice, watercress, fresno-saffron aioli

$10.00

Crispy Tempeh Bites
panko, citrus hot and sour sauce, arugula, frisee

$10.00

Wild Mushroom Pot Sickers
napa cabbage, ginger, bean sprouts, black vinegar

$16.00

Lobster Blt Sliders
brioche bun, arugula, basil aioli, bacon

$11.00

Crispy Spinach Goat Cheese Ravioli Veg
fried leeks, tomato-fennel mascarpone sauce

$18.00

Artisanal Cheese Plate
3 cheeses, served with fruit compote, spiced nuts

$18.00

Oysters On The Half Shell
6 cold oysters, mignonette, cocktail sauce

Soup and Salad

$10.00

Roasted Cauliflower Soup Veg
sundried tomato pesto, candied walnuts

$11.00

Chilled Avocado, Spinach, And Sorrel Soup Veg
creme fraiche, crispy leeks

$9.00

Simple Green
apple cider vinaigrette, crimson pear, gorgonzola, toasted walnuts,

$10.00

Bibb Lettuce
red wine vinaigrette, avocado, orange, goat cheese, sunflower seeds

$10.00

Caesar
romaine, crispy potato crouton, parmigiano

$10.00

Panzanella Veg
tomato, cucumber, focaccia croutons, fresh mozzarella, basil vinaigrette

Pastas

$19.00

Grilled Shrimp Capellini
tarragon-almond pesto, cherry tomato, fennel, zucchini, yellowfoot chanterelles mushrooms

$21.00

Beef Short Rib Pappardelle
oyster mushrooms, rapini, sweet corn, caramelized onions, red wine braise

$18.00

Spaghetti A La Chitarra Veg
asparagus, heirloom tomato, basil, roasted garlic, fresh mozzarella

Entrees

$26.00

Pan-seared Salmon
poblano whipped potatoes, wilted mustard greens, black bean-corn salsa

$29.00

Pan-seared Day Boat Scallops Gf
bamboo rice, baby bok choy, orange-ginger sauce, crispy wonton

Seared Market Fish
roasted fingerling potatoes, tuscan kale, saffron cream, crispy shallots

$19.00

Seared Tofu
coconut black rice, oyster mushrooms, zucchini, red pepper-citrus salsa

$25.00

Pan-roasted Amish Chicken
potato hash, broccolini, natural jus

$28.00

Grilled Pork Chop
garlic smashed red potatoes, green beans, sherry-mushroom sauce, tobacco onions

$30.00

Lamb Duo
grilled rack, braised leg, cardamom basmati rice, yellow curry braise, asparagus, mango relish

$32.00

Grilled Strip Steak
black trumpet mushroom risotto, rapini, walnut, smoked amish bleu cheese, balsamic glazed cippolini

$30.00

Pan-roasted Duck Breast
parisian gnocchi, grilled ramps, heirloom radish, rosemary jus

Flatbreads

$14.00

Braised Beef Short Rib
horseradish cream, gorgonzola, red onion, arugula

$12.00

Margherita
roma tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella

$12.00

Southwest
aged chorizo, black bean puree, tomatillo-poblano salsa, shaved manchego

Desserts

$8.00

Chocolate-cherry Decadence
flourless chocolate mousse cake, bing cherries

$8.00

Tiramisu Cheesecake
espresso swirl, chocolate crust

$8.00

White Chocolate Creme Brulee
seasonal berries

$8.00

Strawberry-rhubarb Crumble
vanilla ice cream

$8.00

Lemon Olive Oil Cake
grand marnier whipped cream, berry compote

$8.00

Passion Fruit Tart
mascerated mango and kiwi, coconut cream

$7.00

Housemade Ice Cream & Sorbet
salted shortbread cookie

Looking for another city?

Araka

131 Carondelet Plaza Clayton, MO 63105

314-725-6777

Description

2008 | Best Decor

By Ian Froeb | Mon, April 30, 2012

By Ian Froeb | Mon, February 13, 2012

By Ian Froeb | Mon, February 6, 2012

By Stephen Fairbanks | Fri, December 9, 2011

By Bryan Peters | Thu, July 21, 2011

rftbestof | St Lous, MO | 149 Reviews