Fresh summer cherries, both Bing and Ranier varieties, are plentiful in local stores. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Yogurt hollandaise sauce. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
A salted caramel brownie with chantilly cream, at Olive + Oak. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
A Lil John dessert, with chocolate, cream cheese and pecans, at the Lucky Accomplice. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cavatelli, at Sydney Street Cafe. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Homemade biscuits. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Oysters on the half-shell, served with cocktail sauce, mignonette and lemon, and fresh-grated horseradish, at Olive + Oak. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Fresh strawberries, local and otherwise, are in season. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Buckwheat cracker topped with garlic aoli, cilantro, and pickle kohlrabi, at Vicia. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Escargot with garlic butter and fines herbes, at Brasserie by Niche. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Rotisserie chicken, picked up from the grocery store, can be the base for many recipes to feed you and your family. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Homemade blueberry pancakes. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Steak au poivre with pomme frites, at Brasserie by Niche. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Cheese souffle. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Bialys, with smoked salmon and capers. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Pork steak and dirty grits, served at Grand Pied. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Baba ghanoush served with pita. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Hot dogs with 10 different toppings, for the 4th of July. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Fennel. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
A sauce is applied to beef enchiladas before the cheese topping and final baking. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Potato, leek, and bacon soup at YaYa's Euro Bistro. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The Frisco style smash burger with carmelized onions, topped with a fried egg, and a side of seasoned fries, at Pangea. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Homemade croissants, baked and ready to eat. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Drunken noodles with shrimp, at Rice Thai Bistro. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Beef wellington for Christmas dinner. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Summer salad of watermelon, feta cheese and mint. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Potato Head sits among his potato brethren. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Pad thai with shrimp. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Shrimp bisque and hominy grits, mussel stock, and wakame, at the Lucky Accomplice. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Kale with onions and olive oil. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Citrus-marinated olives. Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Karaage (Japanese fried chicken). Photo by Hillary Levin ©St. Louis Post-Dispatch