Cafe Ventana

A beignet. It's a French fried, hole-less donut smothered in powdered sugar. It goes well with the large array of coffees, sandwiches, salads, and beverages available at Cafe Ventana, a New Orleans inspired eatery. This new addition to West Pine Boulevard, near Saint Louis University's campus, is a perfect study-and-bite site for college students, faculty, and local busybodies. The ambiance is comfortable and soothing, with exposed brick walls, soft leather furniture, and complimentary WiFi for those who need to continue their work beyond normal business hours. There's live music on Thursday nights and a fire pit out back, so even when the weather is frightful, the beignets will be delightful.