Marquette Restaurant and Bar's sophisticated food and decor make it a favorite lunch spot

In a world of crowded, loud and generic lunch stops, the Marquette Restaurant and Bar serves as a throwback to times when a meal was relaxing and service was personal.

They also serve up original dishes for both dinner and lunch with a "rustic American" flavor, according to general manager Jay Holiman.

"It's more of a feeling," said chef Michael Pratt, a familiar feeling.

The menu is "adjusted" monthly to add variety and keep with the seasons. Pratt said his favorite dish on the current menu is the macaroni.

The dining area is in the lobby of the hotel, which opened in 1928. The decor was repaired between 2002 and 2004 when it was renovated. Pat and James Allen, who own Celebrations, opened the Marquette Restaurant and Bar in May 2007.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comServer Alisha Haman, left, clears the table for ladies from the Historical Association Bonnie Chavdoir, of Cape Girardeau, left, and Honey Baker of Cape Girardeau, at the Marquette Restaurant and Bar Monday.

"It's a beautiful space," Holiman said. "We just wanted to use what was already here."

The space is full of tables for two, four or six. Holiman said they get lawyers, teachers from Southeast Missouri State University and to-go business from the federal courthouse.

But the sophisticated menu and calm atmosphere of the restaurant also draws the ladies-who-lunch crowd. The windows let natural light fall gently into the room, and make you want to stay in the atrium for hours talking.

The Marquette also opens for dinner. They have a front room for private parties and the bar area stays open late for the night crowd. What used to be a cafe at the Broadway entrance was renovated with a full bar and one of the most polished selections of craft beers in the area.

"We're pretty proud of that," Holiman said. The beer list touts everything from Boulevards from Kansas City, Mo., to foreign brews like the Westmalle Dubbel from Belgium or the Aventinus from Germany.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comHead Chef, Michael Pratt, puts an order up in the window during lunch time at the Marquette Restaurant and Bar.

The bar was meant to be a cozy place to, "have a drink and a conversation and feel comfortable," Holiman said.

The seventh floor of the building was renovated and the Marquette now hosts parties of up to 150 people — anything from weddings to company parties to small concerts. They also cater. They host a beer tasting the last Monday of each month, and have planned a family-style dinner with "The Whole Hog" on Nov. 17.

The Marquette Restaurant and Bar is open 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

MARQUETTE RESTAURANT AND BAR

338 Broadway

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.comJay Holiman has been the general manager for Marquette Restaurant and Bar since it opened a year and a half ago.

332-0769