Street Scene: Cherokee Street

Over the last decade, new St. Louisans from Asia, Mexico and Bosnia — along with a dash of local hipsters and visual artists — have been revitalizing the Cherokee-Lemp district, an 1890s commercial hub that descended into disrepair in the 1950s. The stunning architecture of the last century has met the entrepreneurial spirit of this one, making it a source of civic pride. And awesome tacos.

1. NEVERIA LA VALLESANA
2801 Cherokee St
This Mexican spot with a casual atmosphere offers authentic dishes that include safe options (chicken enchiladas) as well as adventurous choices (cow tongue tortas). Wash it all down with a bottle of Mexican Coca-Cola, and save room for the prune-flavored ice cream. 314-776-4223  

2. ARTDimensions
2720 Cherokee St, 2nd floor
Founded by local artists for local artists in 2002, this edgy gallery hosts exhibits that typically run for six weeks, as well as classes and workshops for those who want to channel their inner Pollack. Downstairs is a live music venue, where evening revelers dance among the often-provocative works. No phone; www.artdimensions.org  

3. RETRO 101 & CHERRY BOMB VINTAGE
2303 Cherokee St
Jackie Kennedy-esque dresses (with pillbox hats to match) and Mad Men-style attire never go out of style at this den of vintage. And don’t miss the furniture: That chrome kitchen table set with the bright red seats will go great with your new duds. 314-762-9722

4. SAXQUEST
2114 Cherokee St
This music store is brimming with great saxophones, from the new line of Buffet Crampons to that near-mint Selmer Mark VI soprano sax made in 1963. Just a fan of the music it makes? Head to the secondlevel museum and gawk at the Selmer Paris “cigar cutter” C-melody horn from the 1930s and other sax wonders. 314-664-1234; www.saxquest.com  

5. THE STABLE
1821 Cherokee St
Named for what it once was — a stable for the Lemp Brewery draft horses — this brewpub deserves all the attention it gets... and not just for its 36 rotating taps of beer. It’s also the city’s first micro-distillery; make sure to hoist a glass of 85 Lashes, rum distilled from pure cane sugar and molasses, then aged in French oak. 314-771-8500; www.thestablestl.com

6. CAFÉ DEMENIL
3352 Demenil
Place This charming café is a popular spot with the “ladies who lunch” crowd, which demurely indulges in the chicken pot pie or crêpe of the day. It was originally a mere carriage house for what sits across the lawn: the historic ChatillonDeMenil Mansion, one of the last remaining Greek Revival mansions in town. 314-771-5829; www.cafedemenil.biz

7. LEMP MANSION
3322 Demenil Place
Founded in 1840, Lemp Brewery generated a fortune for the Lemp family, allowing them to turn their modest farmhouse into this 33-room Victorian showplace in 1864. Alas, tragedy befell the Lemps for generations, including multiple suicides and the liquidation of the brewery. Tours — including haunted ones in the evening — are available. 314-664-8024; www.lempmansion.com