Historical February 1978 restaurant review. Original menus, prices, hours and opinions are preserved as contemporary reporting, not current business information.
The “Loop” area of Delmar has caught the trend and is busy “rehabbing” itself. This will be the first of a series of articles to acquaint the residents of the SkinkerDeBaliviere area with the availability of good food, entertainment, and shops almost within walking distance. CICERO’s
Cicero’s at 6510 Delmar is the newest addition to the growing number of restaurants in the area. It is managed by Dennis Gilbert, an energetic blond-haired young man who believes in the restoration of the Loop area. Cicero’s is Dennis’ dream. He withstood financial problems and some opposition to make his dream become a reality. After a visit to this fine Italian restaurant, I’m sure that you will agree that it was worth the effort.
The menu is basically Italian but it does feature a Strip Steak ($6.75) which is the most expensive item. There is also a Rib-eye Steak ($4.95). Other entrees include Jumbo Fried Shrimp ($4.95), Veal Parmigiano ($4.95), and Eggplant Parmigiano ($3.95). For those who feel that they must watch their weight while dining at an Italian restaurant, a Dieter’s Plate ($2.50) is featured. All entrees are served with salad and choice of pasta, french fries or vegetable of the day.
Pizza is a popular selection among Cicero’s diners. Either New York or Chicago style crust can be obtained for a slight extra charge. There are twelve varieties in three different sizes: 8″ small, 12″ medium, and 16″ large. A special, Cicero’s Deluxe, is topped with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, black olives, and green pepper and is the most expensive pizza on the menu. It s price is $2.50 for the small size while at the other end of the price scale is the small cheese at $1.55. Cheese garlic bread (85c) and regular garlic bread (60c) are also listed.
Appetizers consist of Shrimp Cocktail ($2.50), Fried Eggplant ($1.35), Eggplant Parmigiano ($1.35), Fried Mushrooms ($1.35), Toasted Ravioli ($1.95) and Antipasto ($1.75).
The salads are a treasure in themselves with the lettuce being very fresh and crisp. The Shrimp Salad ($3.00) was covered with large pieces of shrimp of good texture and Provellone cheese. A dish of cocktail sauce can be obtained to compliment the shrimp. The Cicero’s Special Salad ($2.50) is garnished with Provellone cheese, salami, pepperoni, and ham. A Caesar Salad is also featured. House dressing is of the vinegar and oil Italian variety. Other salad dressings available are Thousand Island, Blue Cheese and French.
The usual pasta dishes including Spaghettini ($2.25), Mostaccioli ($2.85) and Lasagna ($3.25) are listed on the menu. The sauce will delight a lover of Italian cuisine. Featured were the Cicero’s Pasta Specialities. Pasta Al Mare ($4.50) is linguine covered with a rich creamy cheese sauce laced with shrimp and crab meat. The Pasta con Broccoli ($3.25) and Pasta con Cauliflower ($3.25) are also served with a cheese sauce. Two types of Fettucine and Canneloni round out the pasta speciality listing and prove to the gourmet that Cicero’s is not just another pizza house.
For the not so adventuresome a large selection of sandwiches are offered. The Roast Beef ($3.25) is known to rival some of the best in St. Louis. Hamburger Sicilian ($1.85), Salsiccia ($2.25), Pastrami ($2.50), Reuben ($2.75) and Filet of Sole among others complete the sandwich listings. All sandwiches are served on garlic bread with a choice of french fries or combination salad.
If the appetite is large enough, side orders are available so a soup of the day can be added to your choice as well as a vegetable of the day. Potato Sicilian° (80c) sounded interesting. The staple french fries (60c) and onion rings (80c) completed the listing.
Beer is the only liquor but it can be bought by the pitcher ($2.50) as well as by the glass (55c). A large plus is the real butter served with bread along with the meal, a service many restaurants have discontinued.
Cicero’s has a daily luncheon special Monday through Friday. They are open seven days a week and the hours are Monday thru Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. Carry outs are available.
The atmosphere at Cicero’s is simple and rustic, not overpowering, just comfortable. This writer is sure that one visit will encourage another but it will take several to sample new dishes and savor old favorites.
Blueberry Hill
Blueberry Hill, 6504 Delmar, is a longtime favorite of Skinker-DeBaliviere residents. The fame of the 7-oz hamburger, the vast wine selection and the nostalgic 50’s atmosphere has spread far and wide. It could be known as the landmark of the Loop. So this writer will not waste print on what is common knowledge, but awaken the reader to the changes and improvements at Blueberry Hill.
Joe and Linda Edwards, proprietors, have added a breakfast menu. Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., Monday thru Friday. A complete breakfast menu was printed in the last issue of The Paper, but for those who missed it, here is a brief re-cap.
A la carte item consist of one egg with toast, butter and jelly (69c), hash browns (50c), bagel with butter and jelly (35c); with cream cheese (65c), bacon, ham or sausage (85c), and pancakes with butter and hot syrup (85c) among others. Combination breakfasts range from two eggs and butter-crust toast with butter and jelly (99c) for the dainty appetite to three eggs, hash browns, toast with butter and jelly and choice of bacon, ham or sausage with choice of juice ($2.35) for the robust appetite. A real treat is a half cantalope (50c). a variety of juices are serves in small (30c) and large (50c) sizes. Breads and pastries are from Pratzel’s Bakery.
Salads, served with French bread and a choice of herb or orange butter, and soups “made fresh in our kitchen” have been added to the Blueberry Hill sandwich menu. The New England Clam Chowder; bowl ($1.35) and cup (70c) is the featured soup and has become a favorite among the patrons. The kitchen has been enlarged and modernized to accommodate the new menu additions.
A new large game room with fourteen dart boards has been added. A Dart Tournament will be held at Blueberry Hill on February 25 and 26. There will be prizes and the competition will be divided into professional and amateur status so all will have a chance to win. Darts can be bought at Blueberry Hill also. Stand up bars are placed conveniently behind the dart throwing area so throwers have a place to rest their beverages. Another game room behind the bar is filled with pinball machines, a foos-ball table, table games and arcades games. Many of the tables have checkerboards on them and chess and checker pieces can be obtained from the waitress or bartender.
There are new signs outside and new interest items inside, including a stuffed baby elephant in the new game room. (wonder if it was bagged with a dart?) Effective January 22, Blueberry Hill will be open Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. A visit to Blueberry Hill is a visit to memory lane. Even the vintage juke box plays no new songs. So if you want to remember, see what it was, or bring your kiddies so they can experience a “good” 50’s burger, visit the revitalized Blueberry Hill, “In the Loop.”
Originally published in The Paper, February 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The printed “a la carte item consist,” “cantalope,” “are serves” and “arcades games” are retained.
Original source: SD_Times1978_02.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 8.
