A real treat yo self experience is to be had at this restaurant by the Bengelina Hospitality Group. Recommendations: At this coastal Mediterranean restaurant we enjoyed the Stracciatella consisting of grilled grapes, rosemary almonds, and aged balsamic and the shrimp oreganata as starters. For the grilled over charcoal portion of the menu, we enjoyed the the Denver steak and skirt steak. For the side, you can't go wrong with the fire baked potato with truffle fonduta. Dessert: The limoncello tiramisu is delightful and fresh. The homemade chocolate truffles are made by Chef's mom and are a must try menu item. Ambiance: Warm and intimate with great music playing in the background. Staff: Ellie was knowledgeable, friendly, and provided excellent recommendations. Jonathan's keen sense of hospitality and operational excellence further enhances the restaurant experience. read more

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I was excited to try Esca after friends were raving about it. My husband and I dined here for our anniversary meal, and I wish we would have chosen a place with a little more enthusiasm and less pretension. The server seemed annoyed with being there, never asked my husband if he wanted a refill, took forever to check on us, and messed up the bill, which I didn't catch until after signing it. I've been to plenty of fine dining restaurants where our server has introduced themselves and asked about the occasion, and this place did none of that. Esca has the service of a fast casual restaurant- zero rapport with the customer. Oh and I was charged a 20% service fee. Super tacky to do that for a table of two at a nice restaurant. Bruschetta was such a small portion and flavorless. The artichokes claimed to have anchovy but my husband said he couldn't taste any, so he essentially got a tiny $20 artichoke as an appetizer. My $16 spritz was so loaded with ice I had maybe three sips of the actual drink. I noticed every other table had bread service but we weren't offered any. Our dinner was finished and I finally asked our server for bread. The best part of my meal was the gelato with olive oil, that's it. I don't think I'll spend the $$ again at this place. It's such a bummer because I had high hopes for a stellar Mediterranean meal. read more

Esca has been on our list for a while, and I'm so glad we finally made it. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is exquisite. The space is striking: the perfect blend of elegant and eclectic. Service is truly impeccable from the moment you walk in. Our server was phenomenal and guided us seamlessly through the menu. We loved that there were so many shareable options, which made it easy (and fun) to explore. Standouts for us were the cocktails, the wine selection, the truffled baked potato (don't skip this), the shaved veal, and the zucchini carpaccio. Every bite delicious. We'll absolutely be back. read more

What is recommended: - lamb meatballs: consistently good. Perfect for sharing - recommend to order the bread. Perfect to go with the appetizers - The orange cake was delicious. It is out of our expectations. Service and ambiance are also top notch. There is a free parking lot next to the restaurant. We'd come back in a heartbeat. read more

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Here's a Yelp-ready version -- same story, tighter, more reviewer-style and easy to skim: Finally made it to Esca and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment you walk in, the space sets the tone -- warm lighting, cozy seating, and a moody, intimate vibe that makes you want to slow down and actually enjoy the evening. It feels elevated without being stuffy. We started with the ciabatta and Esca butter, which was warm, crusty, and dangerously good. The beet + carrot salad was bright, earthy, and perfectly balanced, and the grilled artichokes were smoky, tender, and impossible to stop picking at. Because the appetizer list was so good, we also added the lamb meatballs al forno with milled tomato sauce, pecorino, and pangrattato -- rich, comforting, and beautifully done. For our main, we shared the branzino with olive-pistachio tapenade, which was crisp on the outside, flaky inside, and perfectly seasoned. The cocktail and wine list deserves a shout-out too -- really well curated, with interesting options that don't feel intimidating. And the hospitality here is next level. I casually mentioned that I wished there were more chocolate dessert options, and the bartender had the kitchen make fresh chocolate sauce so I could have a mini sundae. That kind of attention makes a place memorable. One of the most charming touches: while you're eating, they quietly box up anything you don't finish, give you a claim ticket, and you pick up your leftovers at the front on your way out -- like a coat check, but for food. I also can't wait to come back when the patio is open, because this feels like the perfect place for long, candle-lit evenings with great drinks and great food. Highly recommend. read more

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Love love love this place. The vibe the view the drinks and the food. All top notch. Even the bathroom is a cute corner on its own. The service was great, everyone was super friendly and welcoming! The Bronzino is probably the best I have ever had, the octopus was chewy and flavorful, and being a vegetarian lover you should definitely try the eggplant or the zucchini it's such a unique combination of flavors! Would definitely come back again!!! read more

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I think this might be one of my new favorite restaurants! From the minute you walk by the heated patio and into this meticulously decorated restaurant, you know you are in for a treat. The cocktails were delightful( loved my Gin Fizz!) and the food was phenomenal. The branzino was crispy on the outside yet cooked perfectly on the inside. The light sauce with it was even more delightful. The waygu steak was flavorful and one of the best cuts of meat I have had. Definitely on the pricier side but will make for a memorable date night or celebration. read more

Esca - Branzino - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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We met up with friends here for their first experience and our 3rd! The service is always great, friendly staff that are knowledgable about the menu. Luckily the special was the mushroom lasagna, which has never been on the menu- and it was phenomenal! I have added a photo, unfortunately they said it takes all day to make and not normally offered. Great atmosphere as always, parking behind building. read more

Esca - Mushroom Lasagna - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Everything was fantastic! The potato dish was flavorful, the ciabatta bread was incredibly fresh, and Ben's Vodka martini was strong and perfectly balanced. The tuna crudo was so fresh it practically melted in your mouth. Service was attentive and friendly, and the ambiance was top-tier. The outdoor patio was such a vibe. It was beautifully set up and perfect for a relaxed evening. We were bummed we chose to sit inside but it was a little too chilly unfortunately. Overall, an amazing experience. Highly recommend! And next time we will definitely be opting in to enjoying the amazing patio! read more

Esca - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Well, this place wasn't over-hyped! Our server was very helpful (we were clueless!) and friendly. We were a group of 4 and chose 2 items from the Snacks, Appetizers, and Grilled over Charcoal sections. We shared everything amongst ourselves and could have walked out at that point perfectly satisfied. BUT, we'd skipped picking from the Salads section so that we could try a Dessert or two??? We may have gone OVERboard here, because we shared THREE (Classic Tiramisu, Limoncello Tiramisu, and Chocolate Truffles. We needed wheelchairs after THAT! ALL the food was TREMENDOUS and the ambiance of the place is just AWESOME!!! I especially like that they include an almost 16% tip into the bill (and he was nice enough to remind me of that when he presented the check). I assume this is to give the workers more of a living wage. And our server was WELL worth that, plus more. read more

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I am officially obsessed with Esca. The vibe is immaculate. The service is top notch! The food is even better. You can tell they truly care about the ingredients, presentation and quality of the food. We sat at the bar since we only had 40 minutes before our event. The bar is gorgeous. They have a great cocktail menu and list of wines. Our bartender was a gem! I can't wait to come back. read more

Esca - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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One of the best experiences my wife and I have ever had at a restaurant. From service, atmosphere to the food everything was 10/10. Family style meals is the way to go at this restaurant. We were celebrating my wife's birthday and our waiter informed us to get one or two meals from the "Snacks", "Appetizers" and "Entrees" section. Every meal was memorable and we have been talking about going back asap!! read more

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WOAH! Extremely unexpected amazing food and service experience. I felt like such a VIP at Esca even though we just made a normal resevration. This was probably one of the best dining experiences I've had and the fact that it was in STL just made it crazier! About the food: - American Wagyu "Bistro Steak" - I think this the best steak I've had this year which is crazy because I've been to a couple of NYC steakhouses and it doesn't even compare. The steak was marinated so incredibly well as the flavor was so present throughout. The outside of the steak also had a slight crispy-ness to it while the inside was a perfect medium rare. I actually don't know how this dish could be better, literal definition of perfection. - Spanish Octopus, Marinated Chickpeas, Celery, Oregano, Calabrian Chili - This dish was also absolutely fantastic! It transported me back to the octopus dishes in Cancun where the octopus was incredibly crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. I think in general, the meats here are done very well without it feeling overly heavy. - Lamb Meatballs Al Forno, Milled Tomato Sauce, Pecorino, Pangrattato - I think you could probably skip this appetizer. Although the lamb meatballs were very unique and flavorful, I think compared to the other entrees, I didn't feel like the flavor profile stood out a lot. - Ciabatta, Egg Butter - This could be skipped as well although the hot bread with the melted butter is always a nice welcome. - Tangerine Vanilla Shrub - I've never had a shrub before and this was such an interesting experience. This is essentially a flavor concentrate with soda water and you could definitely taste these parts of the drink. Although I would say that it's not quite a soda but almost had a mocktale like experience. - Tiramisu - Great tiramisu, although I felt like after all the entree, I didn't really need the dessert. The service was something else. They asked if me and my friend were celebrating anything and my friend had ran a half marathon that day so that's what we shared. They then were so excited to share her success as well and we went on to having a great conversation about running, love for food, great restaurants in NYC, etc. I feel like these experiences typically only happen when I sit at the bar so it was so cool to be able to connect to the waiters in that way while sitting in the main dining room and they were all so personal too. Then they surprised us with their homemade vanilla ice cream, olive oil, and sea salt to celebrate my friend which was so incredibly nice of them. I don't think I've had ANY restaurant celebrate something that was not the typical wedding anniversary, birthday, etc. It was so special to have them celebrate my friend's half marathon! The ice cream was so good as well! Then on top of THAT our waiter realized I had the same namesake as his grandmother who created a salad dressing brand after their name and he gifted us each a salad dressing bottle. Oh my gosh, wow. We are blown away by the hospitality and the nice-ness of all the waiters there. Thank you so much, we are so grateful to have had this amazing dining experience with you guys! Thank you Esca for the wonderful food and experience. I could not recommend it more and we will definitely be back! read more

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Brilliant cocktails and overall amazing food. Best waygu steak I have had. The meat literally melts in your mouth and no steak knife needed. Everything here was flavorful. Only negative was this restaurant was a bit noisy to hold a good conversation. read more

Esca - Cannoli - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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The service was wonderful and I loved the ambiance as all of Ben's restaurants have such a cool vibe. read more

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Upscale Mediterranean bar and grill off Delmar. As a spritz fanatic, the Esca spritz was one of the best I've had. Other notable items were the charred onion dip, the incredibly fresh whipped ricotta and lemon dip, and the lamb meatballs. My mistake was filling up too much on bread and appetizers, so we neglected to order anything from the "grilled over charcoal" section, though I'm dying to try their beef. Oh, and the ciabatta and Esca (mound of) butter are delicious. I don't recall the service being memorable so that is something that could improve. read more

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One of the best group dining experiences we've had in St. Louis! Every appetizer we tried was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. I especially loved the La Escalivada, Zucchini, and Bruschetta--the ingredients were incredibly fresh and thoughtfully combined. For entrées, the branzino and Amish chicken were clear standouts. Our friends also commented on the well-curated wine selection. The atmosphere was perfect for group dining--warm, welcoming, and moderately lively. We're looking forward to trying the outdoor seating when the weather is nice. Service was attentive and friendly, rounding out a fantastic evening. read more

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Overall a wonderful experience for dinner. The atmosphere is inviting and gives you sense of something not typical to the StL food scene. Service is impeccable here, all staff were friendly, welcoming and approachable. Patio dining is a must on a nice weather day and I appreciate that it's covered. Be careful on the cobblestone/brick type floor in terms of your seat and shoe heel placement. I appreciate that they offer a side purse table for ladies. The ciabatta bread and butter was delicious! Luved the grilled romaine caesar and take a moment to use some of your bread to dip the Caesar dressing and parm, it taste great. I opted for the Amish Chicken with Jus and the Baked Potato with Truffle Sauce. The chicken is meant for sharing, but feel free to have as a single meal the way I did. Cooked perfectly but the flavors were a bit lack luster as I had to add salt and pepper to help things out a bit. Nice options for dessert, but the Gelato wasn't available this evening. I opted for an espresso Martini to close things out and really enjoyed it. read more

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Been meaning to try this place! Overall super happy with the experience. You kind of forget you're in St. Louis. We got a mixture of things and I would definitely come back. The waiter was very nice. We had a few allergies and restrictions and they seem very flexible on gluten free options which is super nice. Most dishes were already gluten free or were easily made gluten free read more

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Went here for a nightcap with a few friends last weekend. The cocktail was pretty good and I loved the gelato served with the pizzelle. I understand the gelato is typically server with olive oil and sea salt on top so was a little bummed ours didn't have that but since it was near closing time, I guess it was overlooked. Loved the vibe inside and would love to come back for a full meal. read more

Esca - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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When you enter the Mediterranean-inspired Esca, it feels like you've been transported to a larger, more cosmopolitan city. The open, airy space with ample patio seating is perfect for a pleasantly warm, fall evening. I appreciate the efforts of the Bengelina Team to develop this area, now known as the St. Louis Delmar Maker's District. We celebrated three birthdays by ordering a bottle of prosecco, the cervelle de canut (an onion dip with chive oil and crudités that lacked flavor), and the delightfully blistered cherry tomato bruschetta, whose tomatoes were sweet and delicious. I had the Amish chicken, which paired nicely with the potato puree. Others ordered steak, octopus, a Caesar wedge salad, shrimp, and two desserts, all of which were decent, somewhat unremarkable. While the food was nothing extraordinary, the wonderful ambiance of the space made up for it, perfect for celebrating special occasions. The service and cocktails were a bit slow, but our server was attentive and easygoing. The owner circulated among the other tables to converse with patrons, yet did not approach our table. read more

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Sat at the bar. Talked to Charlie about cocktails, and had a few. The clay pot Negroni might be the best Negroni I've ever had (I've had a lot). We had friends with us, so we got to order a lot of things and share, which seems like the perfect way to eat here. You might want to save room. I didn't think the dessert could possibly be as good as the other food. I was wrong. read more

Came here with a friend and it was soo good. Exceeded my expectations. Love most of the restaurants in this group and esca is no exception. Ordered several food items to share including the tomato bruschetta, octopus, branzino and brandade. Not a fan of the brandade, but everything else was wonderful. Also enjoyed a few great drinks here. Servers were great and gave great suggestions. We were seated at the bar and the decor was adorable. Def plan to eat here again. read more

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This the first restaurant we've been to from Ben Poremba and the Bengelina Team. We had a 5:45 reservation on a Friday night. The service was great. Our server knew the menu and that evenings specials. There were a number of server assistants that were attentive for pre bussing and waiting on the guests. I really loved the ambiance and decor. Once you enter the restaurant it doesn't feel like you're in St. Louis. We want to sit on the covered patio next time. Everything we ate, we enjoyed. The bruschetta is amazing, so fresh. I've never had tomatoes that fresh and flavorful and the basil was full leaf but didn't overpower the tomatoes. It was my favorite thing we ordered. The salad and table bread were delicious also. My boyfriend loves shrimp and thoroughly enjoyed the shrimp dish. I also ordered 2 sides: the rice polenta and broccoli. Both were good, especially the broccoli. I was a little disappointed with lack of meatless entrees. There was one and it was gnocchi. I like gnocchi but it is so filling. Maybe next time now that I've gotten to try a number of items on the menu. We got a bottle of Chardonnay and I ordered a cocktail, the Bellini. No complaints about the drinks. The vanilla sorbet/ ice cream was great way to end the meal. We don't regularly order dessert but it was light and delicious! Overall, we have a great night. I would recommend this restaurant and I would return. read more

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$26 for a plate with 4 tiny pieces of eggplant and 2 cherry tomatoes cut in half $50 for 4 small pieces of burnt (not charred) octopus $50 for 2 ounces of burn (not charred) white fish This is the worst restaurant I've ever eaten at. They tried to give us a free dessert as an apology. Didn't eat the dessert and added $12 to the tip to pay for the dessert. Absolutely embarrassing. read more

Esca - Burnt fish. So over cooked that the fish meat wouldn't come off the skin. Half the meat was just stuck to the skin. - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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What a great dining experience! It hit on a the key categories - amazing food, great atmosphere, and superior service. The portions are really large so we split the lamb chops and Seabass between three of us. We also had the salad which was so fresh and amazing. The bruschetta had some kind of seasoning that made it taste unbelievably awesome. We also split the lemon tiramisu. I hate coffee so having a lemon variety was really appealing to me. Completely enjoyed this experience. Our waitress did a fantastic job too. read more

Sat in the covered/heated patio, it was probably around 50 degrees, but we were comfortable. The ambiance, the music and the decor were on point. We ordered and shared everything: Mortadella, zucchini carpaccio, la escalivada, gnocchi, meatballs and octopus. All was very good except the octopus which in my opinion was cold, I would have expected that dish to come out warmer (maybe I'm mistaken), but regardless I enjoyed the grilled, crispy octopus and the flavor of the whole dish. The gnocchis on the other hand were not good. Overcooked, texture was not right. Dish was flavorless, so I would skip that. The ones I didn't go into details were very good, and recommended. Service was good. A bit slow at times but place was very busy. Our server gave solid recommendations and answer our questions with no issues. Good spot for a nice dinner. read more

I'm so glad I was able to try Esca yesterday. Esca in Arabic means "Better tasting" and the food tasted better than I expected. The atmosphere was great, the staff was lovely, the noise level was perfect (not too loud). The staff are some of the best people from around the city experienced in the business, experienced bartenders and waiters. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the dishes. The desert was great I forgot to take a picture (vanilla gelato with sea salt rocks and olive oil 10/10) read more

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Four of us had dinner here. We had the branzino, which was excellent, The skirt steak kebabs, which were a little tough, the Denver cut steak, which was a little tough. Drinks were excellent. Service was excellent. Vibe was excellent. For appetizers, we had the veal Tartar, shrimp, and roasted onion dip with fresh veggies. All were excellent. read more

Came into Esca for the Elaia pop up dinner and enjoyed an amazing meal! Service was great between the bartender (shout out to Noah!) and serving staff. It was our first night in and loved the feel of the restaurant, very warm and inviting and the heated patio looks great for when it isn't quite so cold out. This was four course menu with some optional add ons and I don't think there was one course we didn't love. That said, the short rib lasagna was the star of the show! Excited to come back for the regular Esca menu! read more

Great midweek dinner here, we had the grilled grapes to start, wife had gniocchi and I had octopus for our mains, which were tasty. Did not care for the merengue dessert which was slathered in whipped cream; but they were gracious enough not to charge us for it. Half a bottle of the house champagne made the meal go down even smoother! read more

The brand new restaurant from local chef, Ben Poremba, is one of my favorite new restaurants. The food, decor, and service are perfectly on point. You NEED to try the onion dip, stracciatella, branzino, and Be sure to save room for dessert! read more

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Esca in the Delmar Maker District is a total vibe! The food is a mashup of Mediterranean and Italian flavors. We had four small dishes and everyone got an entrée. The service was warm and welcoming however, I did tell them that we are celebrating a birthday and nothing was acknowledged to the birthday girl. A plus - it's nice to see how Esca is helping to build up the neighborhood. Hopefully others move in! read more

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Ben Poremba does it again! Esca is phenomenal. First off, the space is stunning. Sit inside and watch the bustle of the kitchen from your table (everything is wood/charcoal grilled!) or sit on their beautiful patio (heated in the winter!). The cocktails are wonderful- I love the sage gimlet and my husband loves a splurge on the Mexitalian champagne cocktail (worth it!!). We've been twice now, and have enjoyed every dish we've had! If I had to give some must orders, I would say go for the pasta special if they have one. We had an incredible butternut squash gnocchi & a homey ragu polenta dish on our last visit. Also, their signature dish La Escalivada is a must (add the tuna)! I'm also a big fan of their house salad, the vinaigrette is amazing. To top it all off, their service is spectacular. Make this your next date night destination, or if you're a Fox Theatre goer like us, it's only a 7 minute drive so it's the perfect pre-Fox dinner! read more

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A very sexy restaurant. As good as the atmosphere was, the food delivered as well. Was really impressed with their polenta ragu -- A ton of flavor coming from that bolognese sauce. I'd probably skip the eggplant next time. For entrees, I believe the wagyu is a must. A bit of a tougher cut of meat but honestly one of the best steak dishes I've had in STL when it comes to flavor alone. Pair it with the baked potato doused in truffle cheese sauce prepared table-side. Dessert was good, not spectacular. Overall, I did not leave disappointed but I did feel like a lot of their dishes lacked a noticeable "wow" factor. Would love to come back and try more of their menu. Favorite dishes: Polenta ragu, wagyu read more

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Mind blown! This is the only way to describe Esca, Ben Poremba's new restaurant in the Delmar District! Thanks Ben! We love and appreciate everything you do for St. Louis! 11ish years ago, Ben changed the game in the Tower Grove neighborhood with his Olio and Elaia concepts. He'll do it again on Delmar we have zero doubt. First, the company, my dates were incredible. They are lovers and advocates of everything St. Louis! The food needs no explanation. It's all delicious and beautifully presented. The crudo melted in my mouth and the branzino was juicy and flavorful! Everything was absolutely delightful. The vibe is adorably artistic and creative. Chic old world accented in light baby pink. BenP are you an interior designer in all that free time you have? This is a life requirement! Hurry in! read more

Esca - Mediterranean Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Upscale dining brought to Delmar. Needs better execution. Make sure your food is clean. Also, PLEASE keep your receipts and check your final bills. Environment: The restaurant oozes Mediterranean charm through the neutral colors accented by pink pastels, large windows, a small lounge area, an attractive bar, and an open kitchen. There is a subtle buzz throughout the restaurant which made us excited to see other patron's dishes come out and talk further about all the options on the menu. The staff started out very friendly, but we felt the service attentiveness decreased, until we found an issue with our meal (see below). They were also very knowledgeable about the menu and were able to answer all of our questions and tailor suggestions to our preferences. We were seated next to a large table that had all of their fresh cutlery, plates, and glasses, so we unfortunately saw high traffic of waiters near our table. Food/Drink: Our meal started out spectacular. To drink we had the Basil Gimlet and Gibson Martini. Both drinks were strong and despite being simple, were made exceptionally well. The Basil Gimlet is a must try. As for our meal, we tried the cervelle de canut (onion dip), fire roasted beets, and the daily garden special (roasted eggplant dressed with chimichurri). They also bring a few slices of fresh bread and whipped butter to start. The bread was good, but the highlight was the salted, whipped butter which was light yet creamy. The Onion Dip on its own was fantastic with a surprisingly rich onion flavor, but when paired with vegetables with high water content, all flavor from the onion dip was lost. The Fire Roasted Beets was probably our favorite of the night, which showcased a dance of earthy flavors from the beets, freshness from fennel and herbs, and acid from pickled watercress, tamed by a cool labne underneath. Would highly recommend this dish. Lastly, we tried the roasted eggplant daily special. This was absolutely bland and lacked salt. The chimichurri helped season the dish a bit, but still needed lots of help. The eggplant was also over-charred which overwhelmed the eggplant, clearing any eggplant flavor you could get from the dish. As we started eating the eggplant, we noticed a HAIR IN THE DISH. The staff took the dish after examining it themselves. After this, we noticed our service get more attentive (seeming to be as a way to make up for their mistake and also maybe noticing that they weren't as attentive to our table). We saw a variety of people consistently checking our table. We were offered a replacement dish (truffle and mushroom lasagna), but were later told that they no longer had that dish, and were told to choose another item. We went with their vegetable lasanga, which was also unremarkable. The red sauce was made very well and balanced herbs and sweetness very well, but the sheets of pasta were uneven and there was barely any filling. It was a very small dish for $22. After checking our bill a few days later, we also notice an UPCHARGE FROM WHAT WE PAID. We left a respectable 18% tip, but were upcharged an extra $4 on the tab after the meal. ***Bengelina/Ben Poremba group is known for this, as it has happened to us at Bar Moro and at Olio (now closed).*** I refrained from highlighting this in my reviews of those restaruants, but this is the third strike. It took time to get my money back from those other experiences, but I don't have the time to get my money back from my time at Esca. Rating: 2/5 overall. Some of the dishes were made exceptionally well. Some needed better execution. Some need to be re-conceptualized. Also, for their opening weeks, finding a hair in our dish is in-excusable. Still, the food quality was good and we would give it 3/5. As for the declining service quality and issue with our credit card statement, we cannot give the experience more than a 1. We chose this restaurant for a Birthday celebration, and left disappointed. Please save your checks and look at your credit card statement after you visit any of the Bengelina/Ben Poremba group restaruants. read more

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We've been here a few times and it's been consistently excellent on all fronts. Maybe the most European vibe of any spot in STL. I prefer branzino (and most fish) grilled whole, but the butterflied version they serve is still outstanding and a better fit for St. Louis tastes (I love STL, but for some reason many folks even struggle with bone-in chicken here). This time I had Vincenzu's Sicilian sausage (complete with Sicilian spelling of his name!), which was excellent. They also had a wonderful Sicilian white wine (nerello mascalese, never saw it in the US). I don't we've ever encountered a misfire. Oh, and the host is very charming and helpful! read more

Ben Poremba's lastest venture, Esca on Delmar, is a cozy and intimate spot. The restaurant offers a mix of small plates and entrées, reminiscent of Bar Moro's style, yet distinct enough to warrant its own spotlight. We started the evening with a great Manhattan, followed by a well-paired bottle of red wine. The sommelier's recommendation was spot on. The menu is well curated, and we enjoyed several small plates to share among the three of us: the stracciatella, octopus, veal tartare, and zucchini carpaccio. Each dish was beautifully presented -you eat with your eyes first--and bursting with flavor. The quality and creativity truly stood out. We could only grab a reservation for the patio, which is simply gorgeous. Despite a cool, rainy evening, the outdoor heaters made it a warm and pleasant experience. It's easy to imagine how incredible this space will be in the spring or fall. Service was impeccable--attentive and friendly without being overbearing. We can't wait to return! read more

Came here for girls' night and we all had such high expectations but we were not impressed. The decor was cute and we loved the vibes. We started out with drinks which were great. The waitress was really nice. The bread and butter was fresh. We ordered the shrimp, octopus, and roasted eggplant to share. All came out with the same seasonings and tasted the same. We also ordered the corn gnocchi and that was the only dish we liked. Willing to give it another shot as I am a huge fan of Ben Poremba. read more

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