Charcoal House

This is a beautiful restaurant, in a nice, old business district. The building was actually a…read moreformer car dealership...the renovation is fabulous! It's elegant, with service to match. Reservations are strongly encouraged. The menu is Chef driven and changes with the seasons. The menu is diverse, with a variety of items to suit most dietary preferences. The food is excellent! We had such a nice time here and left quite

Service from Kenzie W was the highlight…read more Cocktail was second. And I probably just ordered the wrong appetizer and entree. I found them both just a little too over-spiced and not to my liking. I'm used to octopus being "the star of the show" and this one was pretty much over-powered by the potatoes and smoked paprika aioli. Not sure I'd call what I got "charred", either. The goat was fine; just didn't "wow" me. While my entree was hot, my dinner guest's was "tepid" at best. Given the long amount of time it took for the entrees to arrive led me to believe theirs was ready way before mine and just sat there too long. Atmosphere very nice yet casual.

Dining Room

Clams and pasta

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Dining room

Wright’s Tavern

4.6(189 reviews)

3.4 mi

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.

Restaurant

Filet and Pomme Frites

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Dining area

Frank Papa's Ristorante

4.3(205 reviews)

1.8 mi

Reminds me of an old school Italian restaurant with home made recipes, classic decor, etc. service…read morewas exceptional. Food was seriously amazing. Baked ravioli starter for an appetizer was really delicious. Ordered the Filetto Monte Carlo, which was such a great meal. Filet was perfectly cooked, seasoned, with a brandy cream sauce and mushrooms. It's rare that food comes out hot and fresh. But, seriously it was delivered right out of the kitchen. Both of my work colleagues raved about their dishes - Linguettine con pesce and the Cannelloni. Finally, we shared the Italian Wedding cake dessert. Layers of chocolate/vanilla sponge cake with layers of Italian cream and one layer of a cinnamon/nutmeg flavored cream. Light, airy, and full of flavor! Best of all, colleagues complimented me for the restaurant selection. Thank you Yelp! and Frank's. Outstanding experience.

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.

Chocolate Ravioli

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The Block

3.9(377 reviews)

1.3 mi

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.

The service and food were excellent. I enjoyed the grilled chicken with whipped mashed potaotes,…read moresquash and green beans very much. The fresh herbs and seasoning made the dish. We will be back for this dish again soon!

Charcuterie Board

Flatbread

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Grilled Chicken

801 Chophouse

4.0(450 reviews)

3.8 mi

•$$$$

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.

Interior

Lobster Bisque. It's the best Lobster Bisque I've ever had

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Louie

4.7(542 reviews)

4.4 mi

We had a wonderful dinner. The food was amazing and our server Avery was fantastic. We sat at the…read morebar and she took such good care of us. We will definitely be back and would recommend this to all our family and friends.

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!

Bar area.

The BEST Barata ever

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Asador Del Sur

4.6(185 reviews)

3.2 mi

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!

Tostones Rellenos

Homemade Flan ( Egg Custard)

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Tira de asador ( beef short rib)

The Crossing

4.4(316 reviews)

3.7 mi

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!

Dining room

Tagliolini

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Close up of the Niman Ranch Lamb Roulade. This might be better than the lamb comps I usually get.

Truffles

4.3(220 reviews)

2.5 mi

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.

Provisions!

Complimentary bread and truffle frites( my favorite appetizer)

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Truffle Frittes

The Capital Grille

4.3(335 reviews)

3.7 mi

•$$$$

One of the best fine dining restaurants in STL. The food is great during lunch and dinner but the…read moreportions change slightly. We like to go every year for our anniversary and we appreciate they decorate the table with a rose. The service is always great and I appreciate all the knowledge the waitstaff has for the drinks down to the desserts. One of my favorite items on the menu is the seafood tower that has the juiciest shrimp, crab, oysters, and lobster! The salads are always fresh and the table bread is a nice mix. I do wish the butter was not as cold to spread easier. Accessibility note: the space can accommodate wheelchairs but the restrooms are at the main entrance away from the dining room. The restaurant is also fairly dark. For parking, it is street parking but I would utilize the valet.

Wow. So disappointed in the quality of steak flavor from Capitol Grille last night…read more Ordered a KC Strip and Ribeye and both tasted horrible. Not sure who was on duty last night but they need to go back to culinary school. Worst tasting steaks I think I've had since Ponderosa went out of business. When the veggies taste better than the steaks at an expensive steakhouse you know you have a proble problem. I should've gone to 801 Chop or Flemins. Over $300 wasted!

Lobster Mac 'N' Cheese – Made with freshly poached lobster and topped with a Grana Padano crust.

Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail served with housemade mustard sauce.

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14 oz Dry Aged NY Strip au Poivre finished with our housemade Courvoisier Cream for a decadent finish.

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5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Andy K.

268

420

1463

9 years ago

The good...they serve steak, the rest not so good. plenty of much better options. Please update your bathrooms, they are not good

John B.

9 years ago

The Charcoal House is a great place to eat. The Steaks are great and drinks are too. We enjoy dinning here and will return.

Gregory D.

10 years ago

Yet to come for dinner, but the burger was one of the best I've ever had, and I've had quite a few.

Mary S.

2 years ago

The server told me we needed reservations, while looking me up and down. Won't be back.

Julius H.

14 years ago

Their website: http://charcoalhouse.us/

Charcoal House - steak - Updated October 2026

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Citizen Kane's Steak House

4.2

(330 reviews)

Citizen Kane's Steakhouse is, without question, the best steakhouse in St. Louis. I've been here…read moreplenty of times, but last night was special -- a father‑son dinner before sending my son off to college -- and the team at Citizen Kane's made it unforgettable. The steaks were perfection: beautifully seasoned, cooked exactly to temp, and rich enough to remind you why this place has been a St. Louis institution for decades. The sides were spot‑on, the cocktails were crafted with real care, and the service... honestly, some of the best in the city. Attentive without hovering, friendly without being over the top -- just the kind of hospitality you hope for on a meaningful night. Citizen Kane's has that rare mix of old‑school charm and consistently excellent food that keeps you coming back. If you're celebrating something important, or just want the best steak in town, this is the place.

I've been wanting to try this place for years. Literally decades. Sunday was my birthday, which…read morealso happens to fall on Father's Day this year. SO called and asked the host if we needed reservations if we were to show up around 820pm. She was sweet and said that would be a perfect because things would probably be calmed down by then and we could easily snag a table. When we arrive at 8:20 and ask for a table for two, the hostess declines and said they're only taking reservations today because of the holiday. SO mention that we spoke to someone on the phone. She was clearly annoyed, but went in the back, came out and reluctantly sat us. They were plenty of open tables. They sat a table of five 20 minutes after us, so they would've been there past close anyway. She sat us at a teeny tiny table in a little stuffy side room that looks like it used to be a porch. It definitely wasn't romantic the way I was picturing this place. Our server was fine, as attentive as we needed him to be. We shared the Cajun bbq shrimp, pork chop, ribeye with bearnaise sauce, zucchini, and potatoes, salads. Overall, the food was good, but nothing compared to what I've heard people rave about over the years, so I was disappointed. I wasn't a fan of the pork chop. For being such a thick pork chop it was dry. The zucchini was slightly undercooked. Nothing really impressed. I'm glad I finally tried it but disappointed that it wasn't what I was hoping for.

The Tenderloin Room

3.8

(166 reviews)

The good: The tenderloin was excellent, the salads are the best in St. Louis, and the seafood is…read moreamazing. This is undeniably a quality restaurant. The catch: We split an entrée, had cocktails, and still spent over $200. Staff also upsell sauces and extras that are comparable to what you'll find at other St. Louis restaurants. We reviewed the menu beforehand, so the final bill is on us, but the overall value is questionable. The location: Perhaps the rent is high, but the restaurant wasn't crowded during our visit. Having to walk down the hallway to the hotel desk to validate parking after a $200-plus dinner felt a little strange when we weren't even hotel guests. It's not the end of the world, just an awkward part of the experience. The garage was also hectic, with aggressive drivers and posts showing signs of previous scrapes. The competition: I'd give serious consideration to Sidney Street Cafe, Citizen Kane's Steakhouse, Pepe's Apt. 22, or Buzzetta's Italian Bistro. Bottom line: Great salads, outstanding seafood, and quality food--but a price tag that's difficult to justify. If we return, we'll stick to salads and cocktails. For the money, I believe there are better overall values in St. Louis.

First time eating here was last Saturday night with my SO. Brian was our server and he gave us…read moreimpeccable service. All other staff we interacted with were also friendly and attentive. SO is gluten free. Brian was careful to check the ingredients on anything we were curious about. We shared the crab and artichoke dip, whipped feta app, little gem salad, salmon, and tenderloin with green beans and mashed potatoes. SO I had vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup for dessert. Our experience was on point throughout the entire meal and the food was delicious! It had a really nice Saturday night vibe. Highly recommend!

Twisted Tree

4.4

(955 reviews)

My husband and I came back to dine for our anniversary. Service was EXCELLENT from host stand all…read morethe way until we paid the bill. Tim was outstanding! I spoke highly of the brisket ravs in my last review and my mind remains the same. The house salad is the way to go. The accompaniments work so well together. The dressings are delicious! My steak was cooked as I liked. I love the tableside serving of steak and au jus for the mash. My drink was well balanced and fresh with a hint of sweet. I'll be back!

Twisted Tree is known for its incredible selection of steaks and its signature tableside steak…read moreservice. Your steak arrives on a cart over an open flame, still sizzling and cooked to perfection exactly the way you ordered it. The ribeye cap is especially hard to pass up whenever you see it on the menu. Although the steaks receive much of the attention, Twisted Tree is far more than just a steakhouse. They offer several fish selections, along with pork, pasta, and chicken dishes, and everything is consistently well executed. I once enjoyed an outstanding scallop and risotto special, while also stealing a few bites of steak from my neighbor's plate. The endless house salad is so freaking good that you could honestly order it alone and leave full and happy. The house-made croutons are fantastic, and the two dressings are even better when combined together. Be sure to try the chipotle corn, which is truly unique and absolutely delicious. Most importantly, save room for the wedding cake. It's a must! I'm looking forward to my next visit.

SuWaller's Bar & Grill

4.4

(84 reviews)

•$

Great service! Small bar but a lot to offer!…read more Large food menu, a lot of drinks and patio seating! Highly recommend

Stopped in for lunch here based off of a recommendation from a coworker. What the place lacks in…read morecurb appeal, it makes up for in flavor and service. Cozy sports bar feel inside and lots of bar favorites on the menu along with some healthier salad and wrap choices. My friend and I had the fried cauliflower for an app and really loved the spiciness. I had the quarter pound burger with crinkle fries and had enough to take half home. The Bistro sauce was a nice dipper for the fries and had a horseradish kick. I will definitely be back yo try more of the menu.

Joey Bs

3.8

(350 reviews)

Lunch specials reasonably priced for this day and age. You get a lot of food. Waitress was late but…read moreonce she showed up she was very good. I would definitely eat here regularly. Now, the reason they lost a star. Was seated outside by hostess. We had a whole conversation about the great weather to sit outside. As I said above, no waitress for a good 5-7 minutes. Finally asked someone. Hostess comes out wanting to know who seated me and "did I sneak in the outside gate?" Super awkward. This was after lunch crowd on a weekday. There were only 4 others seated outside.

Every single one of my coworkers talk about this place like it is what you see after you die…read morealongside angels and harps, so I figured I would want to try this place and see what the stir is about. I was seated immediately after taking reservations (I reccomend it, it is a really busy place inside and outside) and the waitress was incredibly friendly and charming. She was nice and patient with our table. The food here is 16-19 dollars on average for a reason. The portions are absolutely massive, and can genuienly feed two-three people with just one meal. I ordered the alfredo and a classic cheeseburger, and the burger was good. The meat was thick and cooked accordingly to my ask. While I was sitting at the table, I thought it was funny how my peers thought Joey B's was a second heaven because there was clearly enough salt in the alfredo for a demon summoning ring. It was so salty it was not enjoyable at all, and despite paying $7 extra dollars for extra chicken I was barely given any. They also forgot to give my table bread and butter. I wouldn't go here again, but maybe it was just because I came with expectations too high. It was nice trying for the first time, I suppose.

Kobe Steak House of Japan

3.4

(356 reviews)

Kobe's hibachi in Westport is one of those places where I already know I'm going to enjoy myself…read morebecause I LOVE hibachi. The food was good, flavorful, and definitely hit the spot. I'm always a fan of the whole hibachi experience, and Kobe's did not disappoint in that department. My biggest complaint is the price. I feel like it's just a tiny bit overpriced for what you're getting, and I honestly think lowering some of the menu prices just a little would make it feel like a much better value. Also, because it's table side hibachi, I feel like the chef really makes or breaks the experience. Some of the chefs were definitely more entertaining and interactive than others. Our chef was pretty quiet and didn't interact with our table much, especially compared to the other chefs around us, which was a little disappointing. Part of what you're paying for with hibachi is the experience, so I would've loved a little more interaction and entertainment. Overall, I still enjoyed the food and would go back if I'm craving hibachi. I just think the pricing and consistency of the table side experience could use a little work.

Quietly, Kobe Steak House of Japan has become a local institution. I never hear anyone talking…read moreabout it, and you wouldn't know it's there, to drive by, but it's seemingly always packed to the gills. If other reviews posted here are any indication, they've dealt with issues of people making reservations and not showing up on time. (I'm sure it's a surprise every time it happens.) They've got to move people through there, like cattle; they can't afford to wait around for anyone. It seems to be a popular place to celebrate your birthday. When I was there, there were multiple parties with someone clutching helium balloons attached to a ribbon, and in some cases, this was entirely age-inappropriate. It'd be a great place to just get fried rice and a steak with some yum yum sauce, except it might be a little bit pricey. You're paying a premium for the show that comes along with the food, which isn't even that interesting the first time you see it, let alone the umpteenth. They might consider a separate location for people who are just there for the food. I think Hooters tried something similar years ago. It didn't work, but who wouldn't want to see powerfully built girls along with their chicken? Even if I'm just going through the drive-thru, I want the attendant to lean especially far forward. But I digress. I'd been here once or twice before and had either the steak and shrimp or the steak, shrimp and chicken. The latter might be the most expensive thing on the menu, pushing $50, and is an insane amount of food. You can't go wrong with either of them. The steak doesn't seem like it could be very high quality, but it somehow ends up being surprisingly good, like the cuts they serve at college cafeteria steak night. You don't feel conflicted about dipping it in the small collection of sauces they provide you with, but you could just as easily eat it without them. This time, I figured I might go all seafood. I was in a classy kind of mood. I opted for the shrimp and scallops. Shrimp alone would have been good but not as special, the fact that a shrimp is somehow capable of frying rice notwithstanding. I don't get scallops as often, and sometimes they're not good. There's a tendency to overcook them, and I imagine that could be an issue given this place's demographic. I'm pleased to report that it wasn't an issue with my serving. My chef, who really was a wizard, must have sensed that I don't play that. They charge extra for fried rice, but you have to get it. It might be the best thing they serve, even though it's just rice. It's a touch lighter than authentic STL hood rice, but it's still legit, and there's something about it that's oddly addictive. It's just the slightest bit sweet with maybe a meaty undertone? They make it right there in front of you, but maybe there's some special MSG they sprinkle on it before they bring it out from the back. Or maybe they really are magicians. At any rate, they earned their upwards of $50.

CJ Mugg's

3.4

(195 reviews)

Came here on a Friday during happy hour and since it's soccer season the theme on the drink menu is…read moretailored to that. My bestie ordered a drink and I just stuck to water. It was not too crowded when we arrived inside the place around 3:30ish. We were immediately seated and I ordered a cajun chicken sandwich with fries and she ordered chicken tenders with fries. I will say the fries were a bit salty and the cajun seasoning on the sandwich make the dish a bit salty. Overall the flavors were good and the service was great. If I decide to come back I will end up ordering one of the pasta dishes or some wings to try something new. As always until next time...

This is a nice, clean, and friendly bar-grill in St. Louis…read more I was surprised at the variety of offering on the menu -- far more than just burgers and beer, and I wish I had come with a large group so I could see what all the dishes looked like. There were a number of dishes I was curious about. I ordered the Cobb salad and tomato bisque. It was all fine. Nothing special and nothing wrong. I would have rated 3 stars just on what I ate, but I'm uping a star for all the rest of positives: big menu with lots of choices, friendly service, clean (particularly for a bar-grill), and nice seating. I want to come and try something a bit more adventurous next time.

1904 Steakhouse

3.2

(75 reviews)

My husband and I both ordered the filets, caesar salad, mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts…read more My steak was tender but his was tough. Salad and potatoes were fine but the Brussels sprouts were awful! Overcooked and tasteless. Expectations were much higher for an upscale steakhouse, disappointing.

This is our go-to absolute favorite steakhouse for food, service and ambiance. We like our steaks…read morecooked medium and they always come out perfect. The food is consistently spot on and the service is excellent!

The Country Club

3.8

(103 reviews)