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This is one of our absolute favorite spots in the entire universe. Splurge and do the 7 course tasting and always, ALWAYS ask for Harris. He makes every visit extra special!
Situated in the heart of Maplewood, parking is limited to the street. The string lights on the patio invite you into the intimate dining space, whose door is shielded from the elements by thick curtains. Conversations can easily be held with whomever you are dining with because of the soundproofing strategically placed throughout the restaurant. Our waiter was superb, giving us his full attention and a rundown of what Acero has to offer. We decided on the four-course dining experience. For our drinks, I ordered the Paloma, which was rimmed with grapefruit salt; it was quite refreshing and so good that I had to order a second one. I cannot recall the mezcal cocktail my boyfriend started with, but the black Manhattan was sophisticated and definitely a sipper. They also start you off with house-made ciabatta, which is soft and great for dipping in the provided olive oil, though I wish there had been an herb mixture and balsamic vinegar to accompany it. For starters, we had the smoked burrata and gnocco fritto. Both were delicious, but the gnocco fritto takes the win--imagine a doughnut fried in beef tallow and topped with prosciutto. Every bite was savory with a light sweetness, and the dough was airy rather than heavy. For our pasta course, I ordered the tagliolini ai funghi, and he ordered the egg raviolo. The sauce was light and flavorful, and the mushrooms were perfectly balanced with the pasta. For our entree, I ordered the special of the day, branzino, while he ordered the filetto. The branzino was cooked skin-on, laid atop mashed potatoes, spinach, and mushrooms, and finished with a heavenly lemon-caper sauce. His steak was tender, and the bordelaise sauce accompanied the dish very well. We both finished our entrees. For dessert, I had the dark cherry cheesecake, and he ordered the goat cheese panna cotta. I loved the toasted almond and dark cherry compote combo for the cheesecake; it was very tasty and the perfect size. I was very impressed and will be back!
Top restaurant in STL!! Every single detail is dialed in, from the warm, attentive staff to the cozy, European style ambiance to the FOOD and beautiful plating. It is one of those places you walk into, settle in, and truly take your time, wine, dine, and enjoy the full experience. Executive Chef Nick P clearly knows what he is doing. His talent and experience come through in every dish. The menu feels thoughtful and intentional, simple in execution but elevated by incredibly fresh, seasonal ingredients, with flavors that build perfectly from one bite to the next. You can taste the care in everything, from the house made pasta to the sauces, proteins, and vegetables, all perfectly cooked and balanced. What also sets this place apart, though, is the people. The staff and servers are genuinely excited about the food, knowledgeable about the ingredients and wine, and add to the overall experience. It is the kind of place you leave already thinking about when you can come back.
Got this restaurant as a recommendation as one of the best restaurants in St. Louis and have to say I was a little bit disappointed! We did the tasting menu and looking at the menu prices, I think a lot of the items they had listed were overpriced with the quality. The wine I had was nice. Started with the beet salad and the beets had a bit of a metallic taste to them. For my pasta, had the Cacio e Pepe, the noodles tasted fresh and were the perfect texture but the actual sauce was extremely bland. Next were the scallops, the base and sauce were nice and the scallops were well cooked but extremely fishy. Finished dessert with the goat cheese panna cotta and hands down was the best dish I had all night. Also this is the first time where I felt the service was overbearing. In between every bite it felt like our server was there and it was a bit suffocating. I couldn't have a conversation without him showing up. Additionally he was circling the seating area like a shark and it felt like a little bit much. Overall, was a meh experience. Wasn't terrible but I wouldn't go back
I can't speak highly of this place enough! I've been here several times and will keep coming back! An al a cart menu is offered but just go for the tasting menu to try all the great options they have. Pairing it with the wine will just elevate the experience! Sizes are the perfect portion and served quickly and timely for a coursed dinner. Service has always been exceptional. Each time our waiters have been very knowledgeable and tailored some tasting to meet our personal likes with the food. This quaint little place is small and intimate but not too loud! Perfect place for girls night or date night! Can't wait to go back!
The food and service continue to be exceptional, truly. And I personally really enjoyed my latest visit here! My parents who were here for the first time found the crudo, the black ink pasta, and all the entrees to be truly exceptional! I had the pork chop this time and it was scrumptious. The prix fixe is now $65 which is just slightly higher than a few years ago, but the biggest takeaway from my most recent visit was that the portion sizes of the pastas and entrees have been downsized. For the most obvious visual comparison, check out my latest egg raviolo photo vs the one from my 2022 photo. And hey that's ok I'm not knocking it, the restaurant has to do what it has to do. I do have to note that my husband was not completely full after the 4 course meal and he's not a big dude. He ended up eating at least half my full bone-in pork chop. Another lovely meal, but this time, def did not have to box anything up to bring home!
The 4 course tasting was a wonderful way to experience more of the menu. Although the portions were "smaller", I still was not able to finish every dish! Standouts were the warm chocolate torte. I may come back just for this dessert! Same for the tomato soup. Incredibly simple and flavorful. So smooth and soothing. The lamb chops were beautiful and the parsnip whip was a nice surprise. The linguini Nero also delicious. Overall, Acero is a stand out.
The tasting is $75 now :( Weird experience. I honestly quite liked the opening crudo bite. The fish quality was questionable but the dish was light and tasty. Gnocco fritto has gotta be one of the blandest things I've ever eaten. Nothing remotely interesting about this dish. Things picked up during the entree course. The lamb chops weren't gamey at all, and had a smokey flavor with a decent amount of meat. Chicken milanese had a great crust. Dessert was average. I have to comment on the service because that was the first time I've ever felt a server be overbearing. He was checking in, no joke, in between every other bite and making me super anxious. I've read others having mixed reviews about this place. I dunno. The food wasn't extraordinary, especially for the price, and the restaurant felt pretty dated. Favorite dishes: Crudo, lamb chops
Our first visit for an anniversary dinner -- can't believe we missed this gem before now. Excellent choice for a special night out. Food: 5 out 5 Atmosphere: 5 out of 5 Service: 5 out of 5
Went here for my birthday dinner and I'm so glad I chose it! What a great spot for a nice dinner out! The staff was very accommodating. I had a reservation for six people, but we ended up having seven. They were very kind and let us squish seven into our table. Service was great and our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and had excellent suggestions. This place isn't the biggest, and I'm not sure how they accommodate large parties. But for small groups or a cozy dinner, it's a great place! I do recommend making a reservation. We went on a Saturday night and it was fully booked with reservations. It shows just how good it is!
An incredible meal, surpassing my expectations. If you can make it out to Acero, please do. My boyfriend took me here for a dinner date and the 4 course tasting menu was honestly perfection. The inside of the restaurant is pretty nice, and feels upscale but not pretentious. Our server started us off with bread and oil and this already was a great beginning. The bread was warm and soft, with a very open crumb. The oil was also very high quality, super flavorful and perfect for dipping. Here's what I tried: -Gnocco Frito: 10/10 - I didn't really know what to expect but this blew us away. The gnocco are like these sweet, buttery, flakyish fried pieces of dough and their richness is perfectly cut through by the salty, tangy proscuitto and sea salt on top. The proscuitto was ridiculously good, and the waiter mentioned it was the most expensive one they could get imported. -Egg Raviolo: 9/10 - Wow! When I cut into this huge raviolo it just started oozing with rich egg yolk. It was also chock full of delicious cheese and was swimming in a buttery, garlicky sauce. Absolutely delicious. My only notes are the richness could have been cut with some sort of citrusy or fresh herby addition. -Duck confit: 8/10 - The duck itself was so well cooked and the skin was intensely crispy yet not too fatty at all. I didn't love the squash puree but the sauce made up for it, as it was sweet, tangy, and delicious. -Chocolate Torte: 9.5/10 - A top tier dessert. The gelato was smooth and creamy, and the torte itself was so rich and fudgy. The chocolate flavor was beyond perfect and the contrast of temperatures was perfection. I also tried my boyfriend's mussel pasta and chicken Milanese. The pasta was average but the chicken Milanese was out of this world. So thin, crispy, citrusy, on a bed of beautiful broccolini and topped with capers. I did not expect such well executed and delicious plates, but Acero is a new favorite here. read more
5 months ago
Acero is our go to Italian restaurant in St. Louis! The food and service is always top notch and the ambiance feels like you're in Italy! We usually order the 4 course tasting menu, but if you want to go all in they offer a 7 course menu as well. Also, their wine selection is amazing! They have many DOCG wines to choose from and if you can't choose they offer wine pairings or will suggest a bottle based off your preferences! I would highly recommend Acero to everyone and anyone!! read more
11 months ago
Sit at the bar! Such great atmosphere and service, excellent food. Truffle pasta was to die. A favorite spot for special occasions. read more
1 year ago
What a delight! Everything we ordered was fantastic! Our waiter, Keith, was extremely knowledgeable and personable! There was a vent directly under my husband's feet, so he had cold air blowing up his pant legs which he wasn't fond of, but it was still a great experience! We will be back! read more
6 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Great food and service not fussy. Ate here as one of our first dates, the night of the proposal and had take out the night of our zoom wedding during Covid. Just went again and was fabulous as always. read more
7 months ago
7 months ago
Everything here was so delicious. The wine selection is great, the foot is better, and the staff is very helpful! The scallops may be the best I've had and the mixed greens salad is very creative with the pistachios. The mushroom pasta was delicious and well presented. It's not too loud but the venue is lively. I highly recommend and is a new favorite for when I am visiting. read more
Friend was in town so one of the girl made reservations at this local Italian place. They have a pre fix menu for $58 that includes 4 courses. The place is bigger than it looks since it fills to the back of the restaurant. It was crowded at 7. My friend had raved about their pre fix menu. I do think it is a great deal but I was not hungry so my friend and I shared pesce crudo and scallops as an entree. The two other girls got the pre fix menu. The pesce crudo was fresh, perfectly marinated, and just tasty. The scallops were so salty... I had to take off early so I didn't complain to the waiter, read more
1 year ago
Can't say enough great things about this restaurant. One of the best 4 course tasting menus in town. The service, the environment, and the food is always spectacular. We had dinner with our family tonight. Our server, Zurn was outstanding. We always recommend this spot to out of town guests. This place never disappoints! read more
Seriously, one of the best dining experiences I've had in St. Louis! I went here with a couple of friends for one of their birthdays, and I couldn't recommend the four course tasting menu more! Personally, I chose to have the Barada bruschetta, the mushroom pasta, the Duck special with roasted brussels sprouts and acorn squash purée, and Tsuda finish it off. In total, this was $58 plus an up charge for the bruschetta and duck. My total bill ended up being about $74 with tax included. Each dish just seem to get better and better, and I Could taste every single flavor coming through in each of them. I feel like they combined the flavors and ingredients so incredibly well and the meals were so well balanced. I truly feel like the course menu is the best deal you can get as well for such high-quality dishes. I think this is the perfect date night spot, or even just nice night out. The staff was so incredibly helpful and even brought my friend out some cake and champagne on the house for her birthday. She also had a happy birthday card waiting for her at the table after she made the reservation. The inside is very cute and intimate. It is a little small if you have a big group, but they have a back room as well as a patio. Overall, I couldn't recommend them more! read more
1 year ago
This is an intimate classy restaurant with great service. Reservations is recommended and sometimes hard to get on short notice. The $50 4-course tasting menu is a great option, but you can also order ala carte. Love the complimentary bread served prior to the meal. Beet Salad $12 - Refreshing, great flavors. Spinach Egg Raviolo $29 - Interesting dish, one giant ravioli, as if a ravioli was an over easy egg as you cut into it. Tagliolini (wild mushroom) $24 - Simple but delicious. Acero Cheesecake $10 - Good dessert, topped with amarena cherries and syrup, and toasted pistachio. Closed on Sunday and Monday. .|\---/| | o_o | .\_^_/..2021 read more
5 years ago
Acero is a quintessential, "traditional", Italian restaurant that offers amazing service and excellent food. They offer a $50 4 course tasting menu that is an outstanding value. Some of the options do require a small upcharge, but they are definitely worth it. Additionally, there is typically a wine special on a couple of bottles of wine. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate. Acero offers a front and back dining room and a few bar seats. Service is outstanding, with professional wait staff that knows how to take care of customers without being obtrusive. As great as everything else is, the food is the real star at Acero. On my last visit I enjoyed the beet salad, gnocchi, ribeye, and panna cotta. However everything is outstanding. And if you don't save room for that tasty dessert, they are happy to wrap it up to take home for later. Bottom line--you can't go wrong with a dinner at Acero. I highly recommend reservations! read more
We visited Acero for my partner's graduation from residency because we wanted to do something special and show his parents what a tasting menu was. We opted for the 4 course (though the 7 course one also sounds awesome). It was $58 plus some up-charges for certain items. The price was well worth it. Each course was amazing! I added morels to my pasta which was exciting because I've never had morels. It was so good. That was my favorite dish with the beet salad as a close second. The entree was good but I wish they had a vegetarian entree on the menu - we had a mixup because I had no idea that "brazino" was a type of fish and the menu didn't call it fish, it just listed the vegetables in the dish. I asked the server if there was any meat at all in it because I'm a vegetarian and he said no. I was super embarrassed when I received a plate with fish on it and had to send it back, but it didn't seem to be an issue because they came back with the same dish minus the fish part. It was a good dish, but definitely not the highlight of the meal like you'd expect of the entree. I'd like to see what the chef can do with a purposely all-vegetarian entree. I got the cannoli for dessert which was good but I would have liked more cold (it was room temp). Our server was very kind and enthusiastic. We enjoyed his service and assistance a lot. The ambiance inside is upscale, dimly lit with simple but very nice decor. We were a little dressed up and felt in-place. read more
1 year ago
We went to Acero for dinner last night and thoroughly enjoyed our food, service, and the whole experience! With both of us being first-timers here, we weren't too sure what to expect but by the time we left, we were SO happy that we went. We had reservations and our request to sit outside was accommodated with no problem. Got a few drinks to start and the Milan was a fantastically light cocktail that I really appreciated because whiskey cocktails don't always pair well with summer. However, this one did and I loved it. Next I got the roasted beet salad - the mixture of texture and flavors were perfect. The marcona almonds really make this salad special and also dang tasty. My dining buddy ordered the gnocco fritto and oh my goodness this was SO delicious. This dish was like having savory beignets and boy did it work well with the prosciutto and the dusting of sea salt on top. Finally, we split the linguini Nero and it was a good thing we split it because the portion sizes all around were pretty healthy! This was also a delicious dish not lacking in flavor, protein, and presentation. Exquisitely done! Our server was wonderful and this was a dinner to remember for sure. I would highly recommend Acero if you are looking to give your palate a joyful experience. I really loved this place and will likely be back for more! read more
2 years ago
We did the chefs tasting and absolutely loved all of our courses. Our server Jacob was amazing and pointed us to some delicious wine and food. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and will definitely be back! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Food was pricy but decent, but very unfortunate experience with the waiter when I he realized I had a gift card. (For a small amount of the total) I don't know if this is restaurant policy or just bad manners on your servers part but the tip line was aggressively crossed out to make sure I did not tip short because of the gift card. Considering the cost of the meal and how much I spent over the gift card amount I was offended. This is something I would have expected at Applebees..... Maybe I did not look like I could afford it to tip.... Either way I won't be back. Worth noting I sent a message to the restaurant and they read it but chose not to respond. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Been 3 times. Pricier, fancier place good for special occasions. But compared to other expensive places it is honestly better priced than most. Delicious food. Never had anything bad. Changing menu gives you new things to try. You can get Al la carte but I've always done the multi course meal. It's amazing. read more
4 years ago
Wow. Was recommended to go here for a date night by two of my friends. After going, I will be recommending it to everyone for an upscale meal! We did the 4 course tasting menu for $58 and everything was delicious. I started with the shrimp bisque (soup of the day), then the tagliolini, halibut main, and acero cheesecake to finish. The only tiny drawback was everything I ate was super rich (other than the cheesecake which was surprisingly light) so I was feeling veryyy full after the meal. Likely could avoid this by starting with a salad like my boyfriend did. Service was great. Spent about 90 minutes there total but the time flew by--could easily spread dinner out over 2-3 hours here. Will definitely be going back! read more
2 years ago
Came here last night for my boyfriend's 30th bday and it was absolutely perfect. The food was so good--every bite was memorable from the crudo (fresh!) to the delectable proscuitto laid over a pillowy beignet to the egg raviolo (that soft cheesy bite, my goodness) to the mushroom pasta (such savory mushrooms, yum!) to the bistec (perfectly cooked). Our server, Jerry, was an absolute gem and the GM, Adam, was so generous. Both of them were great to talk to and just incredibly kind. I hadn't been to a restaurant in several months, but nights like these remind me why I love them so very much. We'll be back for sure! read more
4 years ago
What a lovely evening. The restaurant looks small from outside but has lots of room in the back. We did the 4 course dinner tasting menu (starters , pasta , entree and deserts) and had the most wonderful relaxed experience. Our server was attentive and friendly. The tasting menu came with half portions of food and was pretty flexible . We could include specials and some of the more expensive dishes with a small up charge . We were so full that we packed desert to eat later. It was lovely and quite a memorable evening. I am glad we went with friends and whose company we enjoyed because otherwise the dinner would have been really really long. Jokes apart it's a lovely place with great food ! read more
4 years ago
I don't know how I didn't know about this place. It was delicious! The service was absolutely wonderful. What we ordered: Egg raviolo Tagliolini Trout Warm dark chocolate torte Panna Cotta To repeat what everyone else has said, the egg raviolo was so good. I LOVED the tagliolini. And the desserts were to die for. I absolutely love panna cotta. But the most amazing part was the service. It was an oddly cold day for May when we went, and it was freezing inside the restaurant. The waiter, I'm not even kidding, brought out a space heater and placed it next to me to warm me up. I mean, I've been to some extremely nice restaurants in my time, but I've never had a server do that. And I'll never forget it. read more
3 years ago
If I could give this 6 stars, I would. We saw Acero on the Post-Dispatch list of the best Italian restaurants and decided to go for my wife's birthday. From the focaccia at the beginning through all four tasting courses including (between the two of us), a butternut squash soup, gnocco fritto, egg raviolo, pici cacio e pepe, a porchetto entree, a beef tenderloin entree, a warm dark chocolate torte, and pumpkin cheesecake, everything was incredible. We will be back! read more
One of my favourite places to dine at in St. Louis- fancy enough but also family-oriented enough that our friends and I could bring our little ones. They have an amazing menu- 4 courses which you can pick your own specifics- all very delicious and rich in taste. Wine pairings also possible. Prices went up over the last year due to cost of ingredients but still definitely worth it. The salmon crostini is my go to appetizer. I always love their desserts. The staff all are extremely welcoming and friendly. The lamb is one of their best dishes. My favourite pasta is the tagliatelle. A little on the pricier side but worth every penny. read more
Phenomenal service to accompany a phenomenal meal. The tasting menu is not only excellent in value, but the best way to try to their menu. This was the perfect date night spot. Authentic Italian food with locally sourced ingredients. read more
7 years ago
A stones throw form Schlafley Bottleworks, Acero brings high class and refined cuisine at an affordable price. Undoubtably the best value for a tasting menu in STL, Acero provides flexibility and a build your own adventure dining experience, easily enjoyed by even the most picky patron. Opting for the 4 course tasting for a mere $40 is a must. The $20 & $30 wine flight tasting (healthy pours) are both thoughtful and worth the price (an affordable one @ that) Acero brings refined Italian cuisine. I started with the kale salad... seasonal, fresh, and beautiful. For my second I did the egg ravioli and as an egg fanatic I HIGHLY recommend. It was spectacular. Rich, but addicting. A gooey, yet refined core mimics that of a soft boiled egg. Apparently the complimentary sauce does change periodically. For my "main" I went for the trout. Crispy skin, perfectly done... highly recommend as well. The beans and greens made for a good taste departure mid trout. I finished with panna cotta and it was superb. Lovely vanilla bean forward flavor, dancing with fruity compliments. Other items of note; my mom had the scallops and it was the best item, flavor wise, that hit the table. She got the apple cobbler type dessert and that absolutely deserves and honorable mention as well. Will be back. Would come here for work, with friends, or family. GREAT date spot. 4.5/5 for ambiance 4.5/5 for service 5/5 for flavor. read more
Tldr; Bad service experience, great food. The kitchen did no wrong. Stopped in for quick trip into town and my boyfriend had been here before and loved his experience. Sad to say it was definitely not the same one. We had an 8pm dinner reservation, arrived at 7:53pm and were not able to place our food orders or get our initial cocktails until 8:28pm. When our server, Jerry, first stopped by to take our cocktail orders, we mentioned we were actually ready to place our orders. He pushed back, saying that there were certain ways to order, specifically a tasting menu, (which we already knew we wanted to do and told him that), and off-menu items that he wanted to talk through, and that he'll be back in a minute because he had so many orders to put in. Twenty-five minutes go by, and no cocktails and no orders had been taken. Once the first course was server, all the food came out promptly, brought mostly by other servers. We got almost no table touches until after we finished each course. I had no silverware after the starters for the pasta, and nobody stopped by to check on us. I ended up just using my boyfriend's appetizer fork. We weren't offered fresh ground black pepper, like other tables were for any course. For entrees, steak was supposed to be medium rare, it was not. Nobody checked in while we were eating, so guess that didn't matter. The other waiter who brought us our entrees saw that we had no silverware and brought some out promptly. I wish we had him for our service. The cherry on top was that I had asked for my three-bites eaten pasta to be packed to-go to save space for the entree course. My boyfriend had his three-bites eaten, not-medium-rare steak to-go and we asked for the desserts to go. They forgot to pack the pasta. Disappointing af for a supposedly nice dining experience. For a fair review, there were positives: 1. amazing wine list with everything sourced from Italy. We got the Casetta Barolo, and it was my boyfriend's favorite. 2. Nice buildout and decoration 3. Food was generally good. Highly recommend the trout, the mashed potatoes were top-notch. Ate that entree up, the quality of that made me less upset about the whole thing Would i come back or could i recommend this for my friends who visit STL? Nope. Go to The Tenderloin Room instead, I should have. read more
More info about Acero
7266 Manchester Rd
Maplewood, MO 63143
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(314) 644-1790
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https://acerostl.com
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