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Basso

4.1 (943 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

About Basso

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Basso Photos

BASSO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Loud
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Basso

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Cannellini Dip, Warm Olives
Elizabeth B.

Great vibe, decent food. Basso is so cool because it's underground! You walk down a big staircase into a dark-lit restaurant with a variety of seating. The bar takes up the most space to the right with the main seating and there's an open kitchen to the left you pass by the restrooms. Gas lanterns line the walls with booths surrounding the bar. Service is prompt and professional. Their menu consists of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and Mediterranean appetizers. Their happy hour menu features their popular burger and fries and Margherita pizza. We ordered the cocktails Alice a vodka drink and Secret Door a bourbon drink. Food was good but not super memorable. The mixed olives and cannellini dip appetizers weren't the star of the show but enjoyed the beef carpaccio appetizer more. Our table ordered a Mushroom + Truffle pizza with duck egg on it which was unique. Our entrees were probably the best: Lemon Ricotta Ravioli and Ricotta Gnocchi. We'd go back for the vibe and maybe just drinks or during happy hour but will skip having an entire dinner here.

Carpaccio
Stephanie H.

Love the vibe here. Food and service was excellent. My husband and I got the pappardelle and mushroom truffle pizza. They were delicious. The Manhattan is pretty good, but overall we found the happy hour offerings a little lacking.

Erica S.

Great space, food, drinks, vibes, and service! I've come here a couple of times, including a graduation dinner with a large party. Servers are attentive and helpful. I love their shrimp diavolo, which is filling and has a yummy kick to it! Basso also has awesome cocktails and other drinks. It's a great place to come with friends, family, or even for a date night as it has a nice evening atmosphere. There is seating available inside and in their outdoor patio area; I've only sat inside and it was wonderful! It is located in Westport Plaza, so parking is free and plentiful in the lot or garage. Excited to come back here!

Happy Hour Margherita pizza

The good: Great atmosphere and service. Excellent happy hour Manhattan. One drink and I got a buzz on. The bad: Margherita pizza had hardly any cheese on it (photo). That is a crime, who is it meant for? If you're a pizza lover. then you love lots of cheese. If you dont like a lot of cheese then it makes no sense to order pizza.

Melissa L.

The ambiance at this place is outstanding! Like a speakeasy. Food was delicious! The winding staircase as the entry takes you into an elevated vibe. Can't wait to come back!

Emo Cover Band Pizze
Sally N.

Basso is such a hidden gem! The interior is warm and cozy with dim lighting and its of open flame. They had a fireplace going as well which gave a cozy bonfire feel. Our server was so sweet with giving us suggestions and ensuring we enjoyed all of our food. She checked back frequently and was so fun. We got the truffle fries, bread with dipping oil, and carpaccio to start. All of it was PACKED with flavor. Of the apps, the carpaccio was my fave. It was thinly sliced and the capers gave little bursts of extra flavor in each bite. For our entree, we got the lemon ricotta ravioli and the emo cover band pizza. The ravioli was an INSTANT fave. Super butter, fresh and light. A great place for a date night!

Papardelle
Areanna S.

I thoroughly enjoyed how much this place was a cozy dungeon vibe. It smelled of fireplace and charred wood which was an immediate turn-on for vibes. + a review said to grab a reservation, so we did. Unsure how much we needed to for a Sunday night. Our server was very knowledgeable and gave us a breakdown of practically everything on the menu (we were as familiar with the place). Her explanations were done well. + I would have liked her to check in on us more. At first bite, and then a little later. She came back to check in when we were practically ready for dessert and determined we needed some condiments for our meals -- they were almost finished. The food looks really good and lacks an element of seasoning. We are big pasta people so we enjoy robust flavors and richness. While it wasn't lacking in richness, we needed something else to tie everything in. My Shrimp pasta was spicy (as we were told) but it seemed like the spice was intended to carry the dish. The shaved Parmesan was a nice touch but lacked again in flavor profile. It might've been an oversight but my noodles were on the harder side most of the time bites. The Papperdelle as the same.. they might be leaning on the nuance and forgetting to bring in more boldness with the flavors. The Lemon ricotta ravioli looks like it's a fan fave so I plan to go back and try that and maybe the spumoni sundae. 10/10 for the tiramisu!

Pizza
Natalie H.

Loved our meal here! We sat at the bar since we got on the Yelp Waitlist a little too late for a table, but the bar service was great. We ordered some glasses of wine, a pasta entree, and a pizza. Ambiance is great for a date night! There's table options and plenty of bar seating. Plus you get to see the kitchen in action from your seat.

Drea H.

First time here and was impressed overall with the cozy dark vibe and espresso martini. The martini was 10 out of 10 a true classic espresso martini. We went with a larger group so we could not be seated at a normal table, we were placed in the lounge area with couches and a coffee table to eat our meal. I was thankful they were able to accommodate our group same day, but it would've been more relaxed and enjoyable if we were actually at a table. The food was underwhelming, we got the gnocchi and pepperoni pizza, our group got the lemon ravioli and the emo cover band pizza and cesar salad. Nobody raved about the food, and according to part of our group who'd be there before, this night was a miss... our server was very nice and dealt with a larger group well, it was just extremely slow so we were able to get in a lot of conversation. Overall, would be back, with smaller group so we could actually enjoy the restaurant vibe.

Tiramisu
Wanda H.

Went again. It's STILL a five! Service was impeccable. Not so loud because we were in the back, in a booth. Tried new things from the menu, and loved ALL of it.

vibe
Thao N.

Basso is always a go-to spot for a nice Italian dinner with that cozy, darker vibe. I usually end up here for my birthday or a friend's, and it never disappoints. The menu has something for everyone, which is great since a lot of my friends can be picky eaters. I highly recommend giving Basso a try at least once. It's consistently a good experience and one of my go-to spots in the city. I also can't forget about the service. For my birthday, we came in a little close to closing, but the staff was super kind and never made us feel rushed. They even helped bring out my cake and cut it up for everyone, which made the night feel extra special. Plus, the photos came out amazing Definitely recommend checking Basso out at least once--it's a safe bet for good food, good vibes, and a great experience.

Bathroom
Anna G.

Have been wanting to come here for forever! Super glad I had the ability to come with a friend who was visiting from out of town. We got drinks, an appetizer, and two pastas! The service wasn't super quick but we were seated right away without a reservation on a Sunday night. Parking was easy to find too in the parking lot. It is in the basement and I'm not sure if they have an elevator. The food was all super good and the drinks were the best part. The dining room was a bit dark though.

mushrooms and duck egg pizze
Katlyn M.

Amazing spot for drinks, food, and atmosphere. Dark basement pub that feels modern and cozy. Our server was a gem -- always checking on us and giving great suggestions. Pizze was fired to perfection with ample toppings and sauce. Appetizers always on point. Definitely come for happy hour!

Ravioli

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11 months ago

Not able to make a reservation online or on open table. Food was amazing. Will go back great ambience

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6 months ago

Our evening at Basso was for a special celebration. The service was outstanding and the food was delicious!

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11 months ago

Wonderful food & service! The energy in the restaurant is also great. We can't wait to go back.

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11 months ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

1st time visiting and was very impressed with our appetizers and steaks. Everything tasted amazing!

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

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4 years ago

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7 months ago

The atmosphere at Basso is great! Friendly staff, good food and drinks. The happy hour is top tier!

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4 years ago

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8 months ago

It was my first time here. Good food and service was fast and friendly. Would recommend

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

The atmosphere is cozy . The food and cocktails are delicious . Highly recommend. The service has always been good.

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7 months ago

Always a favorite! Fun people, great drinks, cool atmosphere, and delicious food!!! Consistently a fun time!!

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9 months ago

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9 months ago

Ellis was incredible. I came here for my birthday, and she always had an amazing attitude. Without a doubt, I can say she was amazing!

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Ask the Community - Basso

Is there a way of getting down to bar besides the stairs? Elevator?

Yo my knowledge, it is only stairs

What time do they stop serving food?

9 if I'm not wrong. No hot food or Tapas after 9.

Happy hour times?

4-6 weekdays

Does Basso allow people to bring their own wine? Do they have a corkage fee?

Yes, $15

View All 5 Questions

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Service was very attentive and kind! Showed up a bit early for my reservation but they got the…read moretable prepped pretty quickly. The cocktails were pretty good and came out fast. I had the Steak au Poivre and all in all I'm not mad at the dish. Not amazed, probably won't order it again, but it's well balanced between the grits and the asparagus. Asparagus was a bit less crispy than my preference but not bad. The steak was seasoned well and cooked to my preferred temp, I just don't think the green peppercorn sauce complimented it well. The only really negative thing about the place is the volume it can get to, it was a bit hard to hear who I was eating with. Otherwise I think the ambiance was homey and cozy and the lighting was soft for an enjoyable evening. I'll likely visit again sometime!

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Sasha's - Bruschetta!!

Sasha's

3.8(429 reviews)
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If Sasha's on Demun were a person, it would be Donna Meagle from Parks and Rec. Versatile, knows…read morehow to treat yo' self, equally at home in yoga pants, ready for a backwoods adventure or dressed to the nines, and doesn't blink at any version of you that walks through the door. That's the vibe. We started on the front patio on a Friday night and quickly realized we'd made a mistake. The doors to the interior were open and the music -- a rock-forward playlist that night -- was loud enough that we considered bailing. Our server, was unbothered when we asked to move up to the rooftop. Where we met with a new bartender and server, London, who rolled with it, got us resettled, and from that point on the night was great. London was clearly handling the bar and most of the rooftop tables, but she was attentive throughout, and made eye contact, which seems a near miracle from many 20-something these days. Bumping the score up just for the flexibility on the table move alone. The food: crab cakes were genuinely good, not life-changing, but well above the weak-crab-cake bar that exists in most of the world, served simply with capers and a small salad. I went off-script and ordered the wagyu burger medium rare with fontina (London mentioned cheddar is the more common pick, but the Fontina offerd a great alternative). The burger was deeply flavorful and cooked exactly right, but here's my one real note for the kitchen: toast the brioche bun. Wagyu medium-rare puts out a lot of juice, and an untoasted bun loses its structural integrity about three bites in. A quick toast would let the bun keep some additional integrate and keep up with the perfectly cooked beef. The pom buff were great, the best elevated patato tots you may come by. Beyond what we ordered, the Greek salad is a longtime go-to -- chopped, with grape leaves and pita, available in a small or large, and easily dressed up into a light meal with or without adding some protein or can be share as a self-dress bruschetta appetizer for the group if you ask for extra bread. The cheese boards are also a reliable pick. The wine list is extensive (it's a wine bar, after all), but they don't sniff at cocktails -- I had a solid fine old fashioned, and my wife shared had a Malbec that paired well with everything. Lots of gluten-free options across the menu, too. What Sasha's gets right is that it has refused to become precious. "Wine bar" reads as pretentious to some people, but this place runs as a neighborhood spot. You'll see college kids dressed way down, couples on dates dressed way up, Hawaiian shirts, oversized sweaters, the full range. It's the kind of place where you can split a bottle with your girlfriends, meet a date for drinks and a quick bite without committing to a full dinner, or roll in for brunch on the weekend. Different times of day, different vibes -- always approachable. 4.7 stars. Loses a few tenths for the front-patio music situation and the weak burger bun, but more than makes up for it on flexibility, food, and overall hang factor.

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Lazy Tiger

Lazy Tiger

4.7(124 reviews)
2.5 mi•Central West End

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Lazy Tiger - The chicken burger of all chicken burgers

The chicken burger of all chicken burgers

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4.6(237 reviews)
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Collina - The bar

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4.6(332 reviews)
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Yes! This place! Stop scrolling for a place to eat and make a reservation!…read more We made a reservation the morning of and I'm glad we did. We arrived 20 minutes early. The bar was waiting room only and there were no empty tables. The hostess worked her magic and she was able to get us seated before our reservation time. Our waiter did a great job estimating how much food we'd need without under or over ordering. We shared everything. It was amazing. Even the gluten free bread and pasta was delish. And if you have to eat gf, you know how hard it is to get anything traditionally made as gluten free. Yum! Yum! Yum! Excellent.

I had a delightful little brunch. The space is warm and inviting. I had a cozy two top table and a…read morebook. A girl couldn't ask for more. The patio is perfect when the weather permitting. Owen was my server during my visit. He took excellent care of me, made good recommendations, and worked to accommodate special requests. The coffee is local from Coma Coffee. The cocktail menu has a robust list of offerings. The brunch menu is a nice balance of savory and sweet. If you've read any of my reviews, I usually always prefer savory over sweet for breakfast. This visit was no exception to that. I went with the loaded hash brown. This was a unique interpretation of a latke. The hash brown practically covered my entire plate, a nice portion of cured salmon, and a lovely basil yogurt and chili crunch for contrast. I made a fantastic choice. Not only was this a nice portion of food, it tasted amazing as well. I did add a side of the chicken sausage. It actually ended up being too much. This was the perfect way to spend a slow Saturday morning. I plan to stop in soon to visit them for dinner.

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Charlie Gitto's On the Hill - Toasted Ravioli

Charlie Gitto's On the Hill

4.3(1.2k reviews)
2.1 mi•The Hill
•$$

This was the best establishment we have been to. The way our day played out our party of 4 got to…read morethe restaurant 2 hrs early. We asked if there was anyway they could get us in early. The hostess asked if the patio would be ok and we were delighted to say yes. My wife is using a walker due to upcoming hip replacement surgery and the hostess suggested we use the outside patio gate instead of trying to pass through the restaurant. We sat in the patio and water and fresh hot 2 kinds of bread were placed on the table. Our server, Connor, is so knowledgeable and pleasant. He was patient with us and his wine suggestion was spot on. Great sense of humor and he worked all the patio tables. The food choices were amazing and exceeded expectations. Pricing was comparable with what we expected. The lobster bisque was thick, hot and very filling. There was ample pieces of lobster as well. My wife shared that her pasta was not hard or dry or rubbery but tasted freshly made. Connor shared that the prep starts every morning with homemade pasta. The traditional toasted ravioli were just that, toasted and tasty and the CG shrimp seemed so much more than an appetizer. Meals could be had with just those. I was very satisfied it ordered lasagna anyway. I just had them pack it to go as I was comfortably full. I know there are a lot of choices on the Hill but I assure you this one stands out. Please treat yourself to Charlie Gitto's. Don't wait for a special reason. Any time you eat here will be special

Overall Impressions: Visiting a historic St. Louis institution for the first time is always…read moreexciting, but our inaugural dinner at Charlie Gitto's on The Hill yielded a surprisingly mixed bag. While the drinks, bread, appetizers, and desserts shone, the main courses and service fell short of the restaurant's legendary reputation. Ambiance & Setting Stepping in from a mild, low-80s afternoon, the indoor dining room felt starkly dark--almost like a cave when walking straight in from the street. Thankfully, we opted to sit on the patio, which was a delightful choice and provided a very nice, relaxed environment for dinner. While the restaurant recommends smart or business casual attire, the vibe on the ground was much more relaxed; there were plenty of people wearing shorts, and a diner nearby on the patio was sporting jeans and a t-shirt. For parking, the Hill location does have a lot attached, but it was full when we arrived. Fortunately, there is plenty of on-street parking nearby, plus another parking lot just one block down. Drinks & Starters * Drinks: Both the house Pinot Grigio and my husband's Super Tuscan were excellent. We chose a single glass rather than a full bottle. * Bread: The bread was outstanding, served in generous portions. * CG Signature Shrimp ($22): Extra-large, roasted in garlic butter and seasoned breadcrumbs. We received three nice-sized shrimp with plenty of flavorful garlic butter left over, which was fantastic for dipping the bread. Entrees * Fiore Borghese ($24): Small, flower-shaped hollow noodles tossed in a pink Cognac sauce with prosciutto, onions, and parsley. The portion was good and shareable, but the pasta was slightly short of al dente and could have used another minute in the pot. While the first few bites were nice, the dish quickly proved to be very one-note; it would make a great side option, but it felt heavy and repetitive as a main entree. Additionally, no extra Parmesan cheese was offered tableside--even though we noticed another diner nearby being offered it--and this dish could have really used it, or perhaps it just wasn't designed for it. * Veal Parmigiano ($55): Bone-in, breaded, and baked with pomodoro sauce and CG cheeses. We had looked forward to this signature dish, and the size was very good and definitely shareable. The pomodoro sauce was the undisputed star of the dish--vibrant and delicious. Unfortunately, everything else missed the mark. The cheese was not melted through and was coolish at best. More importantly, the meat was very difficult to cut even with the heavy steak knives provided, snagging on silver skin, turning out quite chewy, and lacking proper seasoning. At $55, this was a major letdown. Dessert & Coffee * Tiramisu ($12): Ladyfingers, espresso, and mascarpone cheese--very nice. * Chocolate Cake ($12): Triple-chocolate--excellent. * Espresso: A great way to cap off the meal. Service Our server, Noah, provided a mixed-at-best experience alongside his helper. While they were initially attentive with clearing plates and refilling glasses, the pacing went completely off the rails toward the end of the meal. Noah wasn't very chatty (no real personal warmth,) and we had to prompt him to ask if there were any daily specials. Worse still, he cleared my husband's entree plate before I was even halfway finished with mine--making the table feel awkwardly unbalanced--and then dropped the bill right along with our desserts. He even came back to see if we were ready to pay while we were still eating dessert. With the patio only half-full (we arrived at 4:30 PM on a quiet Sunday) and us having been there just a little over an hour, rushing us out like that was completely unnecessary and frustrating. The Verdict With a total of $190 including tax, we expected a seamless, high-end meal. While the patio, wine, starters, and desserts were highlights of the night, the execution errors on the heavily hyped veal and the one-note pasta mean we likely won't rush back for dinner anytime soon.

Photos
Charlie Gitto's On the Hill - Beautiful interior!

Beautiful interior!

Charlie Gitto's On the Hill - Toasted Ravioli

Toasted Ravioli

Charlie Gitto's On the Hill - Cappuccino

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Cappuccino

Basso - bars - Updated October 2026

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