Polite Society Polite Society set the tone for my entire St…read more Louis trip. If you know me, you know -- if I see octopus on the menu, I'm ordering it. And this one did not disappoint. It was perfectly cooked, flavorful, and honestly one of my favorite dishes from the trip. I also had a scallop dish that was just as good -- rich, well-seasoned, and beautifully prepared. On top of the food, they have a really strong wine selection, which made the experience even better. The overall vibe is polished and elevated without feeling too formal. Service was great, food came out on time, and everything felt intentional. Highly recommend if you're looking for a nice dinner spot in St. Louis.

Came because it was in the Yelp top 100. Enjoyed what I got but might need to come again and try…read moresome new things. They have a great cocktail menu but we opted for a bottle of wine instead. The waiter was super helpful in helping us pick out a nice red blend. We got the octopus as a starter, which I don't personally love octopus, but my friend thought it was the best in stl. I also got the apple dish, which was listed under the salads but the waiter was sure to explain it's not an actual salad. Since it wasn't a full salad I also got the soup. Both the apple dish and soup were really good. It's street parking but there's lots of spots in the area. The bathroom is super nice with hairspray and mints if needed. Nice place for a good meal.

Yet another restaurant that surprised me in St. Louis. They have good food here. Like, foodie food…read more So my next dinner lead me to Little Fox. A small plates restaurant that felt a little Italian. We make reservations and show up to this place that looks like a neighborhood pub. Quaint, in the corner, inviting light shining through medium sized windows. Inside, the vibes were a hybrid of someone's very nice dining room and an old western saloon. I know that's almost nonsensical, but the vibes were good. We felt right at home. Service was spot on. The server was very nice and new the menu pretty well. The food came out tapas style, so when something was ready, it just came right out. I like that. I like the periods where there are so many plates on the table at one time that it's overwhelming. What's what eating is all about. As for the food itself, it was good. I'll give a little blurb on each thing, as not to wear out your eyeballs. Crispy Artichokes (sauce au vert​). These were fun and nice and crispy. Don't see artichokes like these very often. The sauce was a little weak, though. Didn't exactly go well with these fried little morsels. 'Nduja Croquetas (bomba rice, spicy prosciutto, fontina, grenada pepper aioli). Wow, now these little flavor bombs cannot be missed. Spicy sausage arancinis with a nice peppery aioli to dip. An intensely flavorful little dish that I loved. Can't find it on the menu, maybe it was seasonal, maybe it was a special, but we had a bone marrow French onion soup that was nice. The soup was good good. Very well developed flavors. The marrow bone was a little sloppy, though, and we got a transverse cut of bone, leaving very little marrow to access. Next were the Mussels (green garlic broth, Spanish vermouth, pickled peppers, spring onions, grilled LF bread). Very well cooked mussels, sitting in a lovely broth to dip your bread in. Ask for extra bread. But do not ask for extra of that sauce. That was really bad sauce. Sauce work seems to be this place's only weak point. Probably the biggest dish of the night, the Bolognese Bianco (Newman Farms pork & mushroom bolognese, bucatini, gremolata, parmigiano reggiano). This was a really nice pasta dish! Love those big, thicc bucatini noodles. Flavorful bolognese, great texture from the gremolata, and just cheesy enough to make this probably the most complete dish of the night. Then finally the Sea Scallops (ramp soubise, morel mushrooms, house-cured pancetta). Scallops were scored and cooked to look like fine art. Light scallops paired with nice umami from the morels and the pancetta, all tied together by that nice soubise. You don't see that very often either. We ended the meal with a Sticky Toffee Pudding (apple & date cake, apple brandy toffee, crème chantilly, marcona almond tuile). Chef's kiss. Such a delicate sponge with a nice date flavor. Then boom, the sweet boozy toffee, the creamy chantilly, the texture from the tuile. Every element helped make this a great dessert to end a great meal. Overall, another very pleasant surprise. This was a very good dinner, and I'll definitely come back if I'm ever in St. Louis again.

Pros: Ambiance was so quaint. It felt like it was a…read moreneighborhood corner bodega, but with a refined elegance. Very cozy. Service was A+. Very nice people who knew the menu very well, and the food came out at lightning speed. The food was so good, too. An eclectic, semi-Italian tapas menu with some real bangers on it. Lots of great sauce work, too. Cons: No real cons. Whatever spread that was on the bread with the mussels was absolutely terrible, so avoid that if you can. But everything else was great! Tips: Artichokes were great, scallops were great, sticky toffee pudding was great. It was all great!

I visited Crafted and it was such a fun, flavorful dining experience from start to finish. The…read morespace has a modern, energetic vibe that feels perfect for a casual night out or a laid-back date. Their menu is packed with creative tacos and shareables that make it easy to try a little bit of everything. Each dish came out fresh, vibrant, and full of bold flavors that really stood out. Service was friendly, quick, and attentive without being overbearing. You can tell they put real thought into both the ingredients and the overall guest experience. It's the kind of spot where you end up lingering longer than planned because you're enjoying yourself so much. It delivers a unique twist on tacos and small plates that keeps you coming back for more. Definitely a must-visit for anyone looking for great food and a great atmosphere in St. Louis.

Went for brunch They had bottomless bloodys for $12…read more Nothing special. Zing zang & vodka. Came in a small glass so had to request a few refills. The server was nice & did her best to chexk on us but she was making drinks & delivering food & had another large party. So service was slow at times. But she was kind & friendly. Ordered several things: Shrimp n grits Chicken biscuit Biscuits n gravy Falafel The grits were cheesy & tasty. The chicken biscuit & the home fry potatoes were ok. Tasted very greasy. Even the biscuit had been grilled & was greasy. The falafel had good flavor but they were crispy (maybe a little over done). It was cold in there- maybe because we were sat by the door but i had to keep my coat on. That is not ideal. Also their ceiling is like sprayed with something fluffy? It had a lot of dust bunnies. My friend was holding her hand over her drink afraid of the dust falling down.

1111 Mississippi was the perfect way to wrap up my St. Louis food lineup…read more I love stuffed mushrooms, so of course I had to try theirs -- and they were a 10 out of 10. Flavorful, rich, and cooked exactly how they should be. The menu leans Italian, with a lot of classic, comforting dishes that make you want to sit, relax, and really enjoy your meal. The vibe is cozy with a slightly upscale feel, making it a great option for a sit-down dinner. Service was smooth, the food was consistent, and overall it was just a really solid dining experience. Definitely recommend if you're in the mood for Italian or just want something reliable and good

After 68 minutes we still had not received our entrées. Just one salad and a drink. What was…read moreespecially frustrating was that another table was seated after us and were already served and finished with their dinners while we were still waiting. We expect reasonable pacing and consistency in service, and that simply wasn't our experience that evening. Guests should be served in a timely and equitable manner.

I was devastated for months because my work schedule wouldn't let me have brunch at Grand Pied. I…read moreliterally dreamed about their pancakes. Today finally came, and I got to visit on a Wednesday lunch. Our hostess and staffs were wonderful and made us feel so special right from the start. Of course, the food was the real highlight. The pancakes were crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly buttery. The gumbo was rich and flavorful, well-seasoned without being overwhelming. The grits were cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with the gumbo. Everything felt incredibly comforting on a cold day (see finished plates for reference) We came on a Wednesday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all. Such a relaxed, cozy experience.

Came in for a weekday breakfast (yay maternity leave!) to avoid the crowds & long line I've heard…read moreform on the weekend. You sit and order via QR code, with minimal table service (they bring you water/drinks ordered and food, not much else). The food is like 10/5 amazing and quality. I got the herbed goat cheese omelette and it was perfection. The side salad was perfectly dressed. I ate every last bite. No need to add additional seasonings. Husband got the ham & cheese omelette and felt the same. We split kids pancakes to get the toppings on the side. OMG people don't lie these are an indulgent and amazing treat. 4 stars overall because there are literally 0 modifications which is kind of annoying in my opinion. Like, they were out of hoagies and there was no way to say - I'd still get the sandwich just put it on different bread. Or I don't want mayo. Find that odd. I guess it's a choice but it does deter me from rushing back or trying more on the menu, and be aware if you go. Ps does seem there is an allergy option so if you do have an allergy I suppose you can check that but I'm not sure how to note what you need a change; didn't see it in the QR-only ordering.

I love having drinks at Planter's House! Like to come for the food, too but this time it was just…read moredrinks. So awesome to be waited on by Ted himself! He made some suggestions after I asked a few questions. Ended up with the Denial and Error made with Strawberry Infused Cambio Blanco Tequila, Black Sesame-Miso Syrup, Lime, and Chocolate Walnut Bitters. So different but so good as is always the case! I loved how the miso and sesame came through. My other pick was what my daughter was going to get so I got to try that, too! The So Hip It's Outta Sight made with Blanco Tequila, Green Chile Vodka, Creole Shrubb, Cranberry-Sage Syrup, and Lime. It was sweet and good. I would order either of them again. We arrived late on Sunday, around 9:00 PM and they closed at 10:00 not realizing till we were in and seated that no one else was there, we must have passed the last person that came out as we were coming in. Everyone was very gracious; we had one drink and were on our way. I normally have two but didn't want to overstay. I love this place!

Planter's House is not a bar... it's a whole experience. If…read moreyou appreciate a well-made cocktail, this is the place to be in St. Louis. The vibe is classic, elevated, and gives true cocktail lounge energy -- not loud or chaotic, just intentional and well put together. Now let's talk about what we came for: the drinks. We ordered the Old Fashioned flight, and when I say they did not come to play... they did not come to play. Each one was crafted differently, and you can tell there's real skill behind the bar. These are not bartenders -- these are mixologists. Every drink was balanced, strong (in a good way), and thoughtfully made. Quick tip: If you plan on getting the Old Fashioned flight, make this your last stop of the night... because you will feel it. Service was great, drinks came out in a timely manner, and the overall experience felt elevated from start to finish. Highly recommend if you're looking for a true cocktail experience in St. Louis.

Wow, house incredibly thought out & delicious each meal was. For starters, we got the ribs &…read morelobster turnovers. Ribs have this caramelized sweet ?peanut butter type of tasting drizzle and the meat was flavorful. The lobster turnover was unique and just melts in your mouth. Our entrees came with soup or salad, we tried both and probably one of the best tomato soups I've ever had. Entree beef cheek was perfection. The tenderness of the meat mixed with flavors + cabbage carrots & potatoes was perfect. The roasted chicken was good, but nothing special. We got the pomme ?anna potatoes which were truly divine, only wish it was a bigger portion. I'm definitely excited to return to this place. Not to mention our service was incredible! The menu was well described by our server, water cups were always full, and the staff was clearing our finished plates efficiently I truly felt well taken care of. The lighting and ambience in the restaurant was intimate & perfect for our dinner.

Sidney street has been famous for its French Onion soup for over 10+ years. So much so that it was…read morethe one place I'd recommend for any traveling co-workers, family, and friends. As petty as this might sound, they never bring it back or consistently. In the summer they will tell you fall, in the fall they'll tell you winter, and then the winter they don't have it. Many times we've returned just for that. Over the summer we attended from seeing the chefs social media and the amazing S'more's Baked Alaskan they promoted was not there. We continue every season to give them a try as the chefs social media especially in the summer time with their garden is growing - has great choices. But it seems that it's hit or miss. The menu stays about 90% the same time and time again, and the special dishes are what we come for as well. This time I give a 3 because we were sat by the door and it was freezing. The door is not properly sealed. The patrons next to us by the window kept their coats on. The draft under the table even with the heater on max did nothing. It was uncomfortable. My partners filet was very hard to cut. Maybe just luck of a bad butchers cut? I think it will be a long time until we return or recommend. Food is great, service is amazing, chef has the right idea. But please bring back the one nostalgic memory of Sidney Street that keeps people returning. This time the had "onion soup" no cheese no bread. "What?!...." For all others reading this review - give it a try but don't fall in love with the French Onion Soup or you'll be disappointed each visit.

What a fun place!…read more Since the previous place we went to was on last call, we came and spent the rest of the night here. I had heard from several friends that this was a great place to watch sports games and has a good crowd. While it was late when we came, there were still plenty of people. First off, this place is huge. I almost got lost for a second because it seemed like every turn I went I ended up in a new room. Like the last place, this has a whole section dedicated to darts and pool. There's ample space and TVs in the main part of the bar and throughout. Drink wise, I got my typical three olives grape and sprite and my friend got a beer. He loves this place for the food and the atmosphere. He got an order of wings, fries, and jalapeño Mac and cheese balls. While we were looking for a place to sit, he took me outside in their heated and covered outdoor area. Again, there was ample seating, but best of all, they have a pop-a-shot machine! He ate for a little bit and then we went to play. Overall, I loved the space and drinks and def see myself coming back when I'm in the area.

I'm a sucker for a south city dive bar and Friendly's nails it on the head. It's casual and has a…read moreneighborhood vibe, as it's literally located in the middle of a neighborhood. It's cash only and has multiple places and rooms to sit, watch, eat, relax, and socialize. Buckets of beer are super cheap, and food is pretty good. Who doesn't love bar food? Back patio and sitting area is super nice on a warm day, and it's dog friendly. Street parking is available!

This has been on my list for years, so I jumped when my bf said we were going. He made a…read morereservation for 8:45 because he said it's normally packed. We came right on time and were sat immediately. The inside was lively and buzzing. Right after we were sat, our server came to introduce himself and take our drink order. To start, we each go a Caesar salad, we split an order of calamari, and I got the flower power to drink. I was warned before hand that the drink I chose would be an "experience" but that I should enjoy it. An experience would be an understatement. The salad was good and I loved the croutons, although they were a bit tough. The calamari was quite tasty and seasoned well. As for my drink, let's just say I was NOT prepared. The drink itself wasn't the problem but more so the buzz flower that accompanied it. You're supposed to eat the flower first and then drink. It comes with a glass of prosecco as a palate cleanser but I don't feel as though it did much. I'd say that flower kicked in within 15 minutes and ultimately, that's when things took a turn. At first it felt like pop rocks in my mouth and then I started to feel awful. While the chaos was going on, I managed to eat my blackened salmon, which was delicious. The slaw was so-so and I could have done without the beans and rice. All in all, we had a lovely visit aside from the drink. Our server was fantastic, the food was top notch, and I really enjoyed the ambiance.

Frazier's was easily one of my favorite spots in St. Louis…read more From the moment we walked in, the vibe was just right. They had the windows open, giving that indoor-outdoor feel that I love -- it felt relaxed, inviting, and perfect for a laid-back meal. Now let's talk about the food... because that's what really stood out. We ordered the Louisiana-style barbecue shrimp and the red beans and rice, and both were so flavorful. The shrimp had that rich, buttery, seasoned sauce that you just don't want to leave on the plate, and the red beans and rice were exactly what you want them to be -- comforting, well-seasoned, and done right. I had just come from a night out, so I didn't go too heavy on drinks, but I did order a cocktail and it was really good -- balanced and not overly sweet. Service was great, the atmosphere was welcoming, and honestly, everything on the menu looked good. This is definitely one of those places where you already know you need to come back and try more. Highly recommend if you're in St. Louis and looking for great food and a solid overall experience.

Can we do six stars? I have nothing but good things to say about The Drawing Board! The staff is…read morestellar and the food is AMAZING--especially that Medart Burger, a dish with a rich (and kinda greasy) Saint Louis history. Sidewinder Fries are spiral-cut wedges that come with just enough seasoning. The falafel pita is a great vegetarian choice... seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. There's always a nice selection of craft beers on tap for about $7/pour, as well as a smattering of AB products and other national brands in cans. Beer is wonderfully cold. The bar is well-stocked--especially with local spirits--and the bartenders here know their stuff, making drinks to order and advising what to try if you ask. I'm usually interested in trying a gin or bourbon I haven't had, and they're quick to make recommendations and talk about what's on the shelf. The Drawing Board has a nice-sized bar area with pool tables, darts, and chalkboards, as well as a cool patio. There's a small parking lot on the east (right side of the building), as well as ample street parking just west of the bar on Oak Hill. If you like pub trivia, drop by on a Thursday and test your knowledge and memory!

This is a definition of a dive bar vibe but without the bar looking in rough shape. I didn't get to…read moretry the food (not hungry) but supposedly their burgers are fantastic according to my friend who was with me. It's on the smaller side, reminding me of places in my new home of SF, so anticipate seats/tables could fill up quickly. Parking is very limited, I got lucky to get a spot, so on a weekend evening I'd consider ride share otherwise you may be stuck parking blocks away. Beer was reasonably priced at $4-$5 for domestic. There was a group of people playing Magic The Gathering which was intriguing.