The Dining Divas Find Refuge at

Frisco Barroom in Webster Groves

By Lisa Kampeter

It was a different Dining Divas this month. Enjoyable but with an underlying sadness. Two longstanding regulars to the group had just lost their beloved 92-year-old aunt. For weeks, they’d been alongside her as she was dying, and within a half hour of our dinner reservation, this remarkable, gregarious woman who was like a second mom to them, passed away.

They had planned to join us as they hadn’t made plans in weeks, but it wasn’t to happen this night. Our thoughts were with them as we dined at Frisco Barroom in Webster Groves.

Parking in Webster can be tricky, but this night we lucked out on side streets and a back parking lot. The restaurant was packed. It was a nice summer night, slightly humid, but not hot like it could have been. Had I known, I would have requested a table outside. Frisco Barroom has great outdoor patio seating and rooftop options.

The building the restaurant resides in once was a general store, and now as a “corner tavern,” this historic location has been classically preserved. The restaurant takes a limited number of reservations, and we were fortunate to get one. With the cancellation of two of our regulars and the typical late drop out, we ended up with a “small for us” group, which was nice. We could at least hear each other because the room we were in was very loud.

It was nice getting to catch up with the group. We talked about the Traveling Diva’s current adventures in France and how the adventure would continue when she returned from her trip. She had just sold her house. The Enamored Diva is house-hunting with her new love and enjoying their new boat. We’re so happy for her. We enjoy sharing the “small world” stories with a new Diva as we discover the similar connections we have from when she grew up in North County.

Trying a couple appetizers first, we enjoyed the Potato Pierogi, which is potato dumplings served in brown butter. The Ham and Bean soup and the Vegetarian chili were a great start to our meals.

A couple Divas shared the Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushroom with a potato and cheese casserole, and it was so delicious. The Salsiccia sandwich is a popular item that you don’t find at many restaurants. It’s a very good choice. The French Dip with the thicker sliced top round of beef was very filling. Always looking for a good burger, Frisco has a good single but an even better double.

It really was about timing this evening. We missed our Teacher Diva freshly back to school and stuck in the classroom because the school busses were delayed. Planning to have been on her way to meet us, she instead stayed with her students the additional couple hours it took before they were picked up. It took quite a while for the food to arrive so the Lake-Bound Diva requested her check as soon as her food arrived.

She needed to eat and get on the road. But that didn’t happen. And then when she asked again, it still didn’t happen. And then when she went to ask someone else, it still didn’t happen. Obviously, time was not going to be on her side that night.   But in the long drive that night, her thoughts were clear. What’s really the hurry?

As she thought about the Sister Divas whose aunt had just died, she was reminded to make sure to take the time to enjoy the little things. Like with the kids in the classroom. Like the drives to the Lake. Like dinner with the Dining Divas.

For almost 20 years, we’ve been getting together for dinner one night a month, and we’re so lucky to get to do it.

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