St. Louis Restaurants, Hotels, Nightclubs, Caterers & Banquet Halls

Clean, sharp and understated are the first words that came to mind when I walked into Niche, one of the newest restaurant/bars to pop up in the up-and-coming Benton Park area. The understated elegance of Niche makes you feel relaxed-ly hip among the well-dressed but none-too-haughty crowd.

Niche is located in an extremely small yet somehow lofty space right on the border of Benton Park and Soulard. The minute dwelling that houses Niche was remodeled from what seems to have been a shanty, as depicted by the black-and-white photographs displayed proudly on the wall by the bar. Now it is a contemporary, vibrant spot filled with white tablecloths and rich wood accents.

The Lombardo family began its legacy of fine restaurants in 1934. After immigrating to the United States from Sicily in the early 1900's, Angelo Lombardo, Sr. opened a small fruit and vegetable stand on the corners of Riverview and West Florissant in North St. Louis. In 1934, he expanded the business by adding a small restaurant. The Lombardo's now famous toasted ravioli helped the modest family business prosper.

In 1965, the produce stand was torn down to make room for a new and larger building that was to become Lombardo's Restaurant. The new restaurant was run primarily by Angelo's son August, Carmen and Angelo, Jr. and featured a varied menu of appetizers, pastas, chicken, steak and seafood entrees. The Lombardo family had successfully established a favorite dining and meeting spot for many St. Louisians.