First off, THANK YOU Beck for being a top notch server who truly understands the menu and how to…read moresuggest the best complimentary drinks! (Can you tell we started off with a great experience and this is going to be an excellent review?!?!?) Food was exceptional. And I am not just saying that. Flavor bombs in every dish. We ordered Hummus, wings, and cheese curds for appetizers. All great. The wings were phenomenal, perfect combination of ginger, curry, coconut, and heat! I had the special of the night the salmon with crispy skin cooked on. It was prepared medium as described. The cocktails were great, atmosphere welcoming, and service exceptional! I highly recommend!

Hard to believe it had been eight years since I last dined at Olive + Oak. During the summer of…read more2018, I was working in St. Louis and had several occasions to dine there. Since then, Olive + Oak has moved to its current location, which is spacious, airy and filled with light. And somehow, our experience last night was even better than what I remembered. I was having dinner with three friends I used to work with, and Abby, our server, was outstanding from start to finish. I arrived first and had a chance to chat with her before everyone else got there. Her energy and personality immediately stood out, and I knew she was going to be a hit with our group. Hard to believe she has been at Olive + Oak for only six months. She kept taking care of us throughout the evening. She really wanted us to try the grilled carrots, so she brought us an order on the house. Later, one of the managers stopped by with wine glasses and poured us some wine, also compliments of the restaurant. Those unexpected touches made an already great evening even more memorable. With four of us, we were able to explore quite a bit of the menu. We started with the Chicken Wings, Charred Octopus and Lion's Mane Steak. All three were distinctive and delicious. The Fried Green Tomato Salad was enormous, easily enough for all four of us to share, and packed with flavor. We learned it was leaving the menu after that night, so our timing was pretty good. For my entrée, I had the Grilled Flank Steak with crispy Parmesan potatoes, along with a side of Olive + Oak fries. Incredible. The fries were world-class, and Abby even tracked down some barbecue sauce for me to dunk them in. And those Grilled Carrots Abby insisted we try? Wow! Definitely one of the surprises of the night. We finished by sharing two new desserts, the Cloud Cake and Samoa Cookie Cake. Both were super delicious and a great way to end the meal. We ultimately spent more than three hours at Olive + Oak, and never once felt rushed. We were there to reconnect, tell stories and enjoy being together again. Great food certainly mattered, but the warm, attentive service made the evening even better. Eight years was way too long between visits. Olive + Oak remains my favorite St. Louis restaurant.

Wright's Tavern is Clayton's neighborhood upscale seafood and steakhouse: a small dining room, an…read moreintimate bar, good luck trying to get a reservation before 10pm. For those of us who eat at 5 and are in bed by 8, that's a non-starter. So for a birthday dinner we did the thing you're not supposed to do, showed up on a whim at 5 p.m. on a Thursday with no reservation, fully prepared to be turned away. All four bar seats were open. We took two. Sometimes the shot goes in. The room is modern chic with an old-school soul, green-and-white striped plates, the footprint is small, the kitchen is open, and the staff are polished and professional without being stiff. Jose, the bartender, has been behind that bar for most of the time the restaurant's been open, and he was the best kind of host, warm, unhurried, and honest. Yes, walk-ins are possible. No, don't count on it; some nights there's a line out the door of people hoping to squeeze in. Get there early and pray, or plan on a late supper. The Old Fashioned was solid, served over a mound of crushed ice with a fat orange wedge, which is not how I usually take one, but it went down easy. The crab cake, though, won the night, among the best I've ever had, on par with our favorite Chicago steakhouse...Bavette's. Thick, honest pieces of crab (not filler pretending to be crab), a perfectly crisp golden crust, a scatter of chives, sitting in a buttery sauce you'll want to chase with bread. Order it. Share it only if you must, even though I'm about to tell you to share everything else. Confession, I don't like spending money on pricey salads. Moreover, I don't like blue cheese. And yet the wedge, which they graciously split into two plates for us, turned me into a living contradiction. I'd order it with enthusiasm. Don't look for me to bring that spirit to any other restaurant, this is an exception, not a new rule for me. Crisp iceberg, blue cheese crumbles, a crunchy crumb topping, and a pool of herby vinaigrette underneath. Then there's the bacon: not bits, a full thick-cut slab draped over the top like a trophy. Bacon GOLD. It deserves its own line on the menu...Wright's Tavern, follow Bavette's lead and put the bacon on the menu, we'll all thank you for it. Now the steak. We went with the 22 oz. New York strip, and for what you're paying at a place like this, I expected the main event to be the main event. It arrives pre-sliced, showered in chives, sitting in its own jus. Beautiful plate. The flavor was spot on, no complaints there. The problem was the cutting. I don't know whether it was the cut itself, whether it got pre-sliced with the grain instead of against it, whether it didn't rest long enough, or whether the steak knife just wasn't up to the job, but I was sawing our medium-rare steak. More pressure than I'm used to, the knife catching on the fat, and by the end I'd left a small graveyard of partial segments and rubbery fat on the plate. Maybe it was just a bad cut on a good night. It happens. But at a steakhouse, the steak is the franchise player, and the franchise player had an off game. The side, though, quietly stole some of the steak's minutes. I'd never had dauphinoise potatoes, so I had to try them: paper-thin sliced potatoes baked au gratin until the top goes golden and the middle turns creamy. Excellent. And here's my free consulting for the kitchen: crumble some of that wedge-salad bacon over the top as bits and you've got a stellar side. You already have the bacon. Just walk it across the kitchen. Dessert brought it back. The apple cinnamon cheesecake is really light, none of that giant, dense brick that's the calling card of many cheesecakes, topped with soft spiced apple slices and a streusel crumble, and it was excellent. The scorecard: crab cake and cheesecake were the spotlight, the salad and the potatoes were the surprise, and the entrée was, oddly, the letdown. If Wright's Tavern were a TV character: it's Don Draper. Stay with me. Handsome, clearly talented, a real man's man and a ladies' man, magnetic in a small dark room with a drink in hand and flawed in a few key places. Everything Don touches at the office is brilliant; it's the thing that should matter most in his life (being a father, husband, good business partner) that he can't quite get right. That was our steak. I'm giving Wright's Tavern some grace here, because everything else was so well delivered and this little nook of a restaurant has "future regular" written all over it. I'm coming back for another steak, and I'm expecting redemption. Until then: 4.5 out of 5. The only thing keeping this from a perfect score is the one dish that's supposed to carry the team.

After hearing about it for ages, finally made it to Wright's Tavern! Yes, reservations are…read moreannoying, but if you stay up until midnight before the first of the month and have multiple days and times in mind, it should be doable. The restaurant felt very upscale - service was extremely attentive and fantastic. We ordered the following and did a lot of sharing: shrimp cocktail, crab cake, Caesar salad, halibut, French dip, and steak frites. Everything was fantastic. My personal favorite was the crab cake - I've never gotten so much crab meat in one before and the sauce was incredible! Caesar salad was good too. The steak to fry ratio on the steak frites was a bit off (steak was fairly small) but I appreciated that they don't skimp on sides at all! The French dip was the most meat I've ever had in one. Sadly, we were not able to save room for dessert, but I cannot wait to go back! Worth every penny, absolutely.

This is your traditional Italian restaurant. The weight staff was super nice and helpful. Our…read morewaiter was actually amazing. They had a great menu with lots of options. Everything came out quickly and tasted good. It was cutely decorated on the inside. We had a reservation, but the night we came there were tornado warnings and so it wasn't super crowded. For us the chocolate covered strawberries was a stand out.

What a hidden gem! We heard about this place due to their "Eviction notice pasta" (aka penne…read moreamatriciana) for very pregnant people. We called on Saturday evening and were able to get a reservation on the same night. Turns out I've driven by 100 times and never noticed. The vibe is white tablecloth, intimate lighting, and attentive service but somehow still casual. I love that they have the story of the family business right there on the first page of the menu. We had the pasta that we came for and the tortellini as well as the escarola and calamari to start. The escarola was great. The escarola was great, everything else was "pretty good" as my husband put it. In other words, the pasta didn't blow us away. But, the atmosphere, the drinks, and the quick, attentive service sure did. Due to Yelp reviews, we also got the chocolate ravioli which was DECADENT and like no desert I've had before. We'd come back for a date night or to entertain visitors!

Had the Short Rib Ragu and the cornbread special. Both were delicious! I'm definitely going back…read moreand if they still have the cornbread special, I'll order exactly what I had except get two orders of cornbread and not share with anyone.

My husband and I came down to Webster for Happy Hour at Frisco Ballroom and they were INSANELY…read morebusy, so we started searching for another one. It was already getting late so we were worried we wouldn't find one in time, when this spot popped up! Their Happy Hour goes until 6:30!! I was a little nervous for parking in this area, but it's far enough down that we had no issues. We walked in and luckily, two people were packing up at the bar, so we snagged their spots. Happy Hour is limited to the bar area only. I have no idea why I haven't heard more about this spot, and I'm honestly surprised it's not hyped up more! They use a lot of local, fresh vendors for their ingredients, and the spot is very clean and welcoming. The bartender was great all night, he gave top notch service. The food menu looks phenomenal, and they have have a lot of great options on the Happy Hour menu itself. I just got a couple glasses of house wine for a great price and my husband got a couple beers, which even the NICE ones were only $5. Their cocktails looked bomb too, we'll have to come back and try some. The beef tacos had REALLY great flavor, the fries were ginormous, crispy and cooked to perfection, and even the whipped feta was tasty. The bread they served it with was bomb. Such a cool spot, great prices, and super high quality. We will definitely be back.

We came here after going to an art fair down the street. We sat at the bar and we're greeted…read morecomply. It's your typical old style/school Steak House lots of wood, full whiskey bar and extensive wine list. Oyster Rockefeller is probably the best I've ever had 10 out of 10 Caesar salad with the Parmesan crisps or more Parmesan chewy as they tasted stale, we asked for anchovies on it. Once I removed the Parmesan crisp, the rest of the salad was very good. The mushroom pan was literally amazing The 12 ounce fillet was cooked perfect and delicious Everything was very good with the exception of the Parme

I had an amazing time at 801 Chophouse. It is a very classy place. It's upscale and worth every…read moredollar. The table was very elegant. The service was exceptional. My server did an awesome job. John kept our drinks full. He made the experience much more enjoyable. There's a full bar. I utilized the valet parking.

This was our second time at Louie, and once again, we had an amazing experience! Everything we…read moreordered was absolutely delicious. The burrata practically melts in your mouth and is paired perfectly with their sourdough. The salsicci pizza was so flavorful and easily one of our favorites. Our server convinced us to try the special pasta of the night, and I'm so glad we did--it was SO good! It had an olive oil base with hints of lemon, Parmesan, and sausage, and every bite was incredible. You really can't go wrong with anything here! We will definitely be back!

This is a beloved restaurant that is a cornerstone of the Demun neighborhood. The ambiance is dark…read moreand elevated with real candles dotting the tables. The noise level is moderate. Louis was a national finalist for outstanding hospitality at the 2026 James Beard awards, but our service experience was quite ordinary with no mention of the anniversary we were celebrating. The food was a good 4/5 with dessert being the star of the show. - House white wine: pleasant, light and fruity - Burrata special: their large, creamy burrata is flown in overnight from Italy and also found in their sister market Box Hill Grocer! It was complemented by lots of grassy olive oil and some crusty Union Loafers sourdough - Pappardelle bolognese: light noodles with a salty, cheesy and meaty sauce. At $29, the flavors were good but did not wow - Roasted chicken: the sous vide chicken was very tender with crispy skin but lacked chicken flavor and was heavy on the salt. The rapini was surprisingly delicious, with a well balanced bitterness - Ice cream sandwich: really delicious, interesting and creative with the macarons. The crunchy poppyseeds bothered my partner but we both loved creaminess of the almost mocha-flavored ice cream - Espresso martini: well balanced Reservations are recommended! It is possible to get a spot on the day of but probably not at an ideal time (9pm or later). There is a side parking lot. Overall, dinner at Louie was good but did not blow us away. I would be interested in returning for a seat at the bar in view of the pizza oven. I've heard they have a fabulous prosciutto and shaved Parmigiano Reggiano appetizer topped with Eckert's peaches during the summer.

This is a cute little place in the heart of Maplewood and you can tell it's ran with love! Whether…read moreit's for a dinner date or drinks at the bar you will be pleased! Latin America meets St. Louis! We mostly went in for apps but the full menu sounds as delicious! The waiter was very quick and served with a smile. The bartender made very good high quality drinks. Even the owner was around to assure our night was going as planned. Very gracious people who are appreciative of your patronage. Defiantly different type of menu and if you like meat this is your place! Chorizo was our favorite apps followed by the pork plantain. And I mean you can't beat a freshly made red sangria. So for your next night out to mix it up add Asador Del Sur to your list!

So, I believe that part of my complaint here will be for something I'm sure they were trying to…read moremake special for our group of 7. They put us upstairs in a room. This was great in that we could converse with no issues, but it was too warm in the room. They had fans, but we had to turn the fans away from blowing on our food, hence we didn't get cooled down from them. The food wasn't that great either. I ordered the Chicharron and though the tostones underneath were DELICIOUS, the fried pork belly on top (and there was a lot), seemed undercooked to me. It was chewy, not crispy as I've experienced it before. I was unable to eat most of it. The cocktails were delicious and the service was as good as can be expected considering he was having to go up and down the stairs each time. Maybe they're better for dinner? And definitely DOWNstairs!

This is a French restaurant that consistently has fresh flavorful and beautifully presented dishes…read more I've come here many times and the service has always been friendly, attentive and welcoming. The atmosphere is warm inviting. It's a great place for a special occasion, a business meal, or just looking for some good food. Oh yeah, their pasta is House made!

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!

We came here years ago for Valentine's Day and finally returned. Wow, we forgot how good it was…read more My husband claims one of the best steaks in STL so take with that what you will.

Great spot for date night! We went for Valentine's Day and had such a delicious meal. The service…read morewas outstanding and the ambiance felt elevated and romantic - perfect for a special night out. We started with the Korean fried cauliflower and it was honestly some of the best I've ever had. The batter was light, fluffy, and crispy, and the gochujang sauce with the mayo was sweet and sticky in the best way. Since it's a butchery, we had to try the steaks. I ordered the 4oz filet Oscar style. The meat was tender and very well seasoned, the crab was fresh, and the homemade hollandaise really pulled it all together. My husband had the ribeye. It was a flavorful cut, a little fatty (as ribeye tends to be), but exactly what you'd expect from that cut. The steaks come with a twice-baked potato and vegetable (or you can swap for different vegetables). The potato was flavorful but fairly dense. We also did the bread service - it was good, but felt a bit pricey for the portion. We ended with the flourless chocolate torte, which was very rich and the perfect way to finish the meal - especially on Valentine's Day. Overall, the food was good and the menu is solid. The quality was there, but the portions, bread service and sides didn't fully meet expectations. That said, it was still a lovely experience and a great date-night spot.

Let's start by saying this was my birthday celebration with my husband. I made the reservations…read more(only because I could not decide on where to go) and we were able to get in same day! We started with a cocktail. I had the dirty goose and my husband had an espresso martini. Now, here is where I get a bit particular...these martinis were perfect. Perfect ratios, taste and thank you God, COLD!! Someone please tell me why it is so hard to get a good martini and COLD???!! These cocktails were lovely We then ordered dinner. I had the chopped salad, and my husband had the lobster bisque. Both were fabulous! For our main dish I had the 10 oz filet off the menu, my husband had the filet special with the bone. Mine was with gorgonzola cheese and cabernet reduction my husbands was Oscar style. Both were perfect. We ordered the lobster mac n cheese and the asparagus - both perfect sides! We each had a glass of wine with dinner I had the prisoner and I cannot remember what my husband had - sorry - it was a cabernet - both accented the main dishes perfectly For the birthday dessert was a small chocolate espresso cake with small cheesecake. At first I was like, meh, cheesecake, but here I am surprised again. They brulee'd the top of the cheesecake - that took it to the next level and the chocolate espresso cake was fantastic with my red wine. The ambiance is pleasant. It was a busy night in the restaurant, and it has a certain buzz about it. There were times it was hard to hear the person sitting next to you (and yes, I have had my hearing checked and it is just fine). Mark our server obviously had been there for a while and knew his menu and drinks like the back of his hand. It was a wonderful dinner, but it was pricey - fair warning. $$$$

I had never been here before. We're not really steak house people because my husband makes them…read morebetter than any restaurant I've been in! We do occasionally go to one and the food is usually very good - we just never get steak. A friend took us here for lunch. It's really a very nice place. It was obviously upscale and looked great. We were greeted and seated right away. Our server came over and took drink orders. When she came back she went over a special or two and gave us time to make our choices. She was attentive without being too much. Our food was delicious! We enjoyed our meal and the time spent with a friend. Would I go back? Maybe! As I mentioned, we're not really steak house people, but I do highly recommend it fo