An American Place

An upscale, four diamond, fine dining restaurant and lounge specializing in locally grown food products. An American Place is owned and operated by renowned Chef Larry Forgione, and is located in the original lobby of the Statler Hotel, which was built in 1917. The space boasts a 30' ceiling, a replica of the original wedge wood, marble columns, and beautiful architecture not seen anywhere else in St. Louis. With exceptional atmosphere, food and service it is a restaurant that you don't need a special occasion to visit.

Larry Forgione serves up a lush collection of recipes designed to reintroduce the essential flavors lost to us in the rush for newer, quicker and better. He takes the best flavors from the past and revitalizes them with the freshest, ripest and richest native ingredients. With over a hundred recipes reflecting the bounty of American cuisine: fish and shellfish from America's shores, everything from chicken, duck and venison to beef, pork and lamb from our forests and farms, and wonderful breads and old-fashioned desserts from our bakeshops.

Larry Forgione

Chef Proprietor

Throughout a successful 27 year career, Forgione has focused mainly on our national cuisine and played an integral role in giving it international renown. His reputation and culinary influence landed him a place as one of LIFE magazine's "50 Most Influential Baby Boomers." Further more, no other individual from the restaurant industry was listed.

His contributions to his industry and those in it are innumerable. Leading the effort to support local farmers, he has helped ensure the success of farmer's markets, regional products and specialties, cottage industries and culinary artisans in America. To help showcase these products and the individuals producing them, along with Justin Rashid he co-founded American Spoon Foods, a catalogue and group of retail shops offering specialty food products from the same native sources that he uses. Continuing in his campaign to elevate American cuisine he published An An American Place Cookbook in 1996. His publication won a James Beard Foundation award for best American cookbook.

Forgione has also given much attention to national and local charities. He co-founded the annual American Chef's Tribute to James Beard, held in the Plaza of Rockefeller Center, benefiting New York's Meals on Wheels program. In the past twenty years, the event has raised half a million dollars annually.

He has catered to many celebrated figures including: Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, President and Mrs. Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Princess Grace of Monaco, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Kenny Rogers, Madonna and the Rolling Stones.

Nick McCormick

Chef de Cuisine

Born and raised in St Louis, Chef Nick McCormick began his career after venturing to Chicago to receive his formal training at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. During the eight-year stint that followed, Nick had the opportunity to polish his culinary skills while working for some of the best restaurants in the country. Nick honed his unique style under the direction of Michael Kornick at MK the Restaurant, and he has now brought that style back to his home town.

Chef McCormick prides himself on utilizing both modern and classical techniques to showcase the true essence of an ingredient. He works hard to find the best-quality product that the American landscape has to offer. It is through relationships with farmers and foragers that Nick is able to create true harmony following the rules of seasonality and sustainability.

Outside the kitchen, Nick is an avid reader and has a true appreciation for the arts. Most importantly, he always finds time for dinner with his family and play time with his dog, Sadie.