From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt elevated but still warm and inviting--classic,…read morecozy, and perfect for a special night out in St. Louis. Tthe crab cake was one of the standout dishes of the night--packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and beautifully plated. Every dish felt thoughtful and high quality. The dauphinoise potatoes are a MUST! You can tell why reservations here are so hard to get--it's one of those places that truly delivers. And of course, we had to end with the hot fudge sundae, which was such a fun and nostalgic dessert experience with every topping you could want. Wright's Tavern is definitely worth the reservation and a spot I'd happily return to again.

3.5 stars. After my last visit, I'm torn. The food we had that night was mediocre with the best…read moredish being the Caesar salad with anchovies. My filet au poivre and my husband's French dip were forgettable at best. My steak was overcooked (ordered medium rare and came out close to medium well). With such a lean cut of meat, the overcooking of it ruined it. The Au poivre sauce which likely had cognac needed to be cooked off as it was extremely bitey (and salty). There was no peppery flavor at all. My cocktail, on the other hand, was delicious and well made (old fashioned) and our server was efficient, helpful, and timely. Overall I enjoyed the atmosphere. I've had the crab cake before so I didn't get it this time, and it's as good as people say. It is huge and can be shared with at LEAST two people. I'd likely visit again but I'll probably stay away from these two entrees next time.

Working in St. Louis for the week, Louie's Wine Dive & Kitchen was THE afterwork meetup spot for my…read moreteam! A few of us would stop in around 4/4:30pm and grab seats at the bar, chat, and polish off a couple beers. The bar was pretty spacious with plenty of seats surrounding it. Also, shoutout to the gentleman who served us drinks! He did a fantastic job taking care of us and even remembered us and our drink orders each day. Whenever I come back to St. Louis for work, I'm looking forward to coming back for some after work drinks!

There's something about a place in Clayton insisting: don't call me a wine bar, I'm a wine dive…read more Okay. We see you. You're a wine bar. Nothing divey about a hip cocktail or hip deviled eggs -- these are sophisticated modern twists, the exact move wine bars make and dives don't. A chalkboard of specials and weathered seating gesture at the aesthetic; the rest of the room knows. Kendall Roy of restaurants -- comes from privilege, wants badly to be of the people. It's a bit, and mostly the kitchen and bar back it up. Nevertheless, we arrived to a full room, hour wait for a table, but we fortunately arrived to snag the last first come patio table. The bar was also full, by the way, which felt neighborhood like, people clearly like this place during happy hour. The old fashioned makes the case: Old Grand-Dad Bonded, pickled rye, cognac, butterscotch bitters. Two whiskeys and a bitter you won't find at an actual dive. Rich, a little sweet. The harissa deviled eggs keep going -- fried shallots, roasted red peppers, cilantro, marinated tomato jam. You know, just like the old dive with the $1 PBR.Deviled eggs for people that don't like deviled eggs. However, we love deviled eggs...foreshadowing. The short ribs are the headline -- fall-apart tender over whipped potatoes substantial enough to stand up to the meat, gravy spot on. Eats like a perfectly executed roast dinner. The brie burger is the sneaky second hit, genuinely decadent, bacon with the cheese melting into the beef. The service was good and pleasant and that felt more like dive-friendly, where you might expect a wine "bar" to be snooty or full of themselves. 4.4 Stars Picking Nits: hip deviled eggs that reach past what they can hold. Tomato jelly on top is a lot going on, in the wrong way, and the egg disappears under it. These are trying to be hip deviled eggs more than they're trying to be good deviled eggs. Every ambitious kitchen has one plate that tries too hard; this appears to be one. A 5 needs those eggs landing, in the same way the entrees excelled. Regardless, we'll be back.

I have been here before, but I haven't reviewed it. This place is fantastic!! Its located in…read moredowntown Clayton and has valet parking right in front of the restaurant. Its relatively small inside, but cozy. A nice touch - is they offer a free coat check, so you don't have to carry your bulky coats to the table. The service here is really outstanding- but I think a huge benefit is they cook seed oil free- meaning everything is cooked either in butter or olive oil. They source local ingredients- rotate lots of different seasonal specials and also have a chefs tasting menu. You can really tell they care about food quality here. Many of us did go with the Chefs Tasting menu which they are also very flexible about- meaning if a special isn't on the menu you can subsitute it, etc. You truly could put together your own tasting menu. They start the table with crackers and a blue cheese souffle. Then they also offer a plain bread with butter which is amazing! Such a nice touch! Then we got stone crab as an appetizer - which was a special and came with a mustard dipping sauce!! It was great- I just wished they cracked the stone crab a bit more as it was hard to get into. We got a variety of menu and special dishes- Tuna Tartare, Soup of the day- Mushroom, Mixed Green Salad, Spanish Octopus, Pasta special, Sea Bass special, Missouri Trout, and Porkbelly Special. We also had a Chai Creme Brulee for dessert. Everything tasted fresh and high quality. This is one of my favorite spots! I also love how they will bag your leftovers and leave them up front by the coat check so you grab it on the way out. They think of all the little details here. Overall experience 5/5.

This was the second stop of my "progressive birthday dinner" (three stops; one for apps, one for…read moreentree, one for dessert). After a whole lot of research, knowing I wanted scallops for a main, I chose The Crossing. Our meal started with a complimentary offering of their bleu cheese soufflé with crisps and bread service--both delicious. I enjoyed a glass of their current "by the glass" Chardonnay, and my boyfriend got a Yeungling (poured table-side). I got my scallops, as planned, which certainly did not disappoint. Cooked perfectly, fresh and delicious. The wilted romaine seemed odd at first but totally rounded out the potato mash at the base, with the absolute flavor-bomb of the shiitakes. Highly recommend this dish any day! My boyfriend opted for the NY Strip; we both agreed it was one of the best steaks we'd ever had; seasoned perfectly and cooked masterfully. There was a slight mishap whereby a food runner gave him a tasting portion of the strip (likely meant for another table); we first didn't realize and were very disappointed with the size. However, without a word from us, the chef came out and personally explained, apologized, and corrected--I didn't snap a photo of the full portion when it came out, but it was perfect and much more what we expected. That brings me to the service, which was spectacular. Several staff members gave us a personal touch and they all seemed to be genuinely happy to be there. The space is beautiful and intimate. It was moderately busy and still quiet. The atmosphere feels upscale, but not pretentious or unapproachable. This place was on my radar for a long time, and I sure wish I'd gone long ago. If you're thinking about it, just go!! I can't wait to come back and try the chefs tasting menu--thank you for a wonderful dinner!

Looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion? This fine dining steakhouse is ready for…read morethe task. The food, interior, and service are top notch, and comes it the highest prices in the area. The menu focuses on steaks but the special menu offers additional seafood option. You can also order items from the 801 Fish restaurant across the street if red meat is not your preference. Complimentary loaves of sour dough bread were delivered to the table as we enjoyed our beverages. Crab Cake $27 - This was one delicious lumpy crab cake with succulent pieces of crab, big enough to share with two people. Down Home Shrimp $26 - 3 large pieces of shrimp on top of mouth watering mash potato like sauce that you want to lick clean. You can add on additional shrimp. Single Cut Prime Rib 16oz $66 - It was cooked perfectly medium rare and very tender. I didn't love that it sat in a pool of au jus, but was delicious. Brussels sprouts $15 - Large portion, more than plenty for 4 people. It was tender and very saucy. Garlic Mashed potatoes $16 - Semi-lumpy mashed potato with bits of skin. I was hoping it might be served with gravy similar to the shrimp sauce, but there was no companion. Cheesecake with blueberry sauce $16 - Large piece of cheesecake, very rich and smooth. It was nice that the dessert selected by the birthday guest was complimentary. If you dine here and park in the lot behind 801 Fish, you can get your parking ticket validated at 801 Fish. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

Came here for Valentine's Day dinner and the ambience was very nice. We were unfortunately sat at a…read moretable rather than a booth which was not ideal but our waitress was super friendly and awesome. When we were debating which cuts to order, she delivered a detailed explanation of each one, and even brought a platter of them out for us to see. Definitely an upscale place, so budget for that. Here's what we got: Roasted Bone marrow: 8/10 - came with quite a few bones, and the marrow was rich and buttery. It truly was a melt in your mouth experience, and with the addition of the arugula and red onions on the side, it was lovely. Brussels sprouts: 9/10 - these had such a lovely flavor to them and the honey Dijon sauce was delicious. We prefer Brussels a little more charred but otherwise these were a hit. Garlic mashed potatoes with Boursin: 100/10 - SO good. Best mashed potatoes we've ever had. You HAVE to add the cheese, it's so worth it. They're ridiculously creamy, flavorful, and overall, just tasty. Broccolini: 7.5/10 - this was average. We wanted them charred a bit more and also more red pepper flakes. It mostly just tased like lemon, but it wasn't bad. Australian Wagyu filet: 8.5/10 - A cheaper version of Japanese Wagyu, this cut is super tender and delicious. But don't expect it to melt in your mouth like the Japanese ones. Snowbeef Wagyu 4oz: 10/10 - The beef just melted in my mouth. The marbling on this cut is exquisite and it is SO rich. You honestly don't need more than 3-4oz if you're getting sides. It's that rich. Overall, we definitely recommend this place. The mashed potatoes especially were enough to make us want to come back.

Beautiful cafe with just enough indoor seating and a nice sized patio. The service style is order…read moreat the counter, find a table and be served. This makes me so nervous because what if no seats are open when it's my turn to sit down! LOL. There was no problem finding a table inside. Every item I ordered was 5 stars!! The umami omelette was delicious. Do not be alarmed by the mustard! It works! It's great. The hibiscus tea and lemonade was refreshing! Very light flavors and not too sweet. THESE ARE DEFINITELY AT THE TOP OF THE PANCAKE LIST IN ST. LOUIS. Fluffy, delicious, a true house-made batter. I'd prefer actual blueberries instead of the blueberry brown butter.

We came for brunch on Easter and had a lovely time! Cute interior and nice patio out front with…read morelots of seating. We got a cinnamon roll to share between the 4 of us and loved how it was balanced with sweet and spicy. The umami omelette lived up to its name and was delicious! Service was the most disappointing thing. You order at the register and put your number on your table, ok. Get your own water, alright. The cashier didn't let us know where the milk was for coffee and the person I asked seemed annoyed that I didn't know already. Sorry, first time here. For a really cute place with such tasty food, the cafeteria style service doesn't match.

A little hidden gem of a place in Clayton. Hadn't heard of it before, but had a gift certificate,…read moreso had to give it a try. Menu is on the smaller side, but that means "what they do; they do well". We both started with a glass of wine (one red and one white). Again, limited options but both were enjoyable. Ambiance was cozy and inviting. Server was knowledgeable and efficient. Clearly several regulars were in that night as both the servers and chefs/cooks interacted in a friendly manner. We both started with Spinach Salads, which were basic, but good. I had the Peppercorn Filet and my wife had the Cajun Shrimp. My steak was great and came with mashed potatoes and green beans. Shrimp dish was not spicy, but had good flavor. It also came with mashed potatoes. No dessert. Finally, pretty reasonable prices for a nice weekday dinner in Clayton.

Almonds I love you and I've missed you. I forgot about you but now I'm back. The menus on a…read morechalkboard are it because paper menus are for quitters. I got a tuna-crawfish situation! My appetizer was the crawfish in a rich and decadent sauce served over bread. Wow! Then I moved onto the tuna steak that I inhaled because it was simple and perfect and I couldn't stop enjoying. She's #stlouispescatarianapproved for sure. Such an underrated and unknown spot.

The Best Dining Experience We've Had in St. Louis - Hands Down…read moreMy husband and I wanted to give our dear friends who are leaving St. Louis one last unforgettable meal from their bucket list, so I immediately recommended Peno. I used to be a regular at Rosé with the same talented Chef Pepe, and his food is truly to die for. We walked in on a beautiful day and were lucky to snag a spot in their small parking lot (parking in the area isn't the easiest, but it's worth it). Our server, Harry, made the evening even better right from the start. He had such a warm, calm, professional presence--the kind that's rare these days. We instantly remembered his name thanks to a fun Harry Potter / Harry and the Hendersons reference, and he handled everything with effortless skill. When our friends had parking trouble, Harry quickly offered helpful suggestions. Then, when it was time to order, he elevated our meal in the best way possible. My husband and I got our longtime favorite--the Roberto pizza from Rosé days--and Harry suggested adding sausage and peppers. That small tweak took something we already loved and made it 1000% better. Absolute perfection. Our friend ordered the spaghetti (her all-time favorite comfort meal), and after taking Harry's thoughtful recommendation, she declared it the best spaghetti she's ever had in her life. We finished with the cheesecake. I'm extremely picky about cheesecake, but this one did not disappoint--it was creamy, rich, and flawless. This was one of those legendary meals you remember forever. The kind where you leave thinking you could die happy. Chef Pepe's food, paired with Harry's outstanding service, made it a perfect night. If you're in St. Louis, do yourself a favor and go to Peno. You won't regret it. Thank you, Harry and team--you helped create a truly special send-off for our friends!

Id like to add one more comment. I started my meal with the Tucci salad. It was supposed to have…read moreroasted red peppers(it had one strip), olives(it had one) onions(it had one small piece) and beans(there were three). A large amount of mozzarella-looked like Provel on top. I did call over the server to clarify if this was what this salad was supposed to be - mostly lettuce. She said yes then brought over a small plate with a few olives. Again, this salad was $15. It must have cost Peno a dollar to make because it was mostly lettuce. I live a few blocks from Peno and love the idea of a neighborhood restaurant we can all embrace. Sadly, I won't be back.

The bartender, Allen, I think. He was awesome. We were laughing our whole meal. The food was…read moreamazing. Blue ribbon burger and the homemade pickles were . Only recommendation would be more space at the bar because Allen was great and the lines for the bar seats make total sense. Don't sleep on the cheese curds.

Grabbed lunch at 5 Star Burgers in Clayton and walked out wondering why I haven't been coming here…read morefor years. The bacon cheeseburger is built for people who actually want to taste beef. The half-pound patty came out medium-rare with real char marks and seasoning that went all the way through -- not just a salt crust on the outside that fools you on the first bite. The toasted bun held everything together start to finish, which sounds like a low bar until you've had a $20 burger collapse into your lap. The bacon had a genuine snap to it, the cheese melted into every layer, and the produce was clearly cut that morning. You can tell the difference. The fries are a full portion and they stay crispy long enough to actually eat them. Service moved fast for a kitchen cooking everything to order. The room has that no-nonsense burger joint feel -- you're there for the food, and the bar-and-grill setup makes it easy to linger if you want to. Clayton location is convenient, parking is straightforward, and the price-to-portion ratio is better than most places charging the same or more for half the effort. If you're in the St. Louis area and want a burger that doesn't cut corners, this is the one. I'm heading back next week specifically for the mushroom Swiss.

This is a great steak restaurant in a nice area. The service was very good and the food was all…read morefantastic. I had the strip steak. It was grilled to perfection at medium rare and seemed larger than the described 14 oz. I was with a group so I had a chance to try almost all of the sides. They were all great. My wedge salad was good as well, but next time I'll have it in the traditional way rather than having them chop it for me. Overall, an excellent dinner

I visit this place often for lunch as it's right by my job and every time it is even better than…read morebefore. Consistency is key and they have they down packed! I have tried several different menu items but the burgers are to die for. Juice oozing out of them. The duck fat fries are yummy too. Honestly I haven't had anything yet off the menu that I would try again down to the appetizers. It is a dimly lit restaurant. Very intimate vibes. Can get some work done in here midday. Peaceful. They have an excellent wine selection as well!