An intimate, low-key, and aesthetic spot to enjoy a nice meal and a good drink. My friend and I…read morecame here one evening for dinner and drinks. Clayton was busy, so street parking was hard to find. Once seated, we were greeted with friendly service and were brought water. I ordered a ginger beer with cranberry juice added to it for a refreshing mocktail. We ordered the Squeaky Cheese to start, the golden-brown cheese curds were gooey and had the perfect crunch. They were served with marinara and a serrano dill aioli. The aioli had just the right amount of spice, complementing the dill flavor. The marinara was saucy and also good. I ordered the Bacon Jam Burger with fries. The burger was juicy, sweet, and had a nice crunch. The bacon jam was subtle, but it enhanced the overall flavor. My only complaint was that the bottom bun came out a bit soggy causing the burger to lose structure as I ate it. The fries were thin and crunchy! I had a lovely experience and would like to come back to try a cocktail!

It's a speakeasy!…read more Opens at 6pm, (fyi ) if you reserve on the website, you are not reserving for Bemiston you are reserving for Louie's Wine Dive bar. No reservations are needed . Trish was our bartender and she was welcoming, friendly and very helpful with the ordering process. I ordered crab tostadas which came in a platter of three . Truffle fries were fresh but basic and for the drink I ordered an Chai Colada. Very fruity and strong . I enjoyed it all. Restroom was clean . Plenty of open seating . Menu has alot of options . Check website for menu, times etc. I will definitely return for more items on the menu.

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

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

Ivy Café is truly a top tier coffee spot and absolutely worth the stop if you appreciate a great…read morecup of coffee and a delicious pastry. I consider myself a bit of a coffee snob, so I am always on the lookout for places that really know their craft and this one delivers. From espresso to cappuccino to lattes or even a simple cup of coffee, everything is done exceptionally well. It all starts with their exclusive blend of fresh coffee beans that are roasted locally and brought in fresh. You can taste the difference in every sip. Their blend is roasted to perfection and creates a consistently smooth and flavorful experience no matter what you order. The staff are friendly, courteous, and clearly knowledgeable about what they do. I have been especially impressed with Sarina, the manager, and Lynne, one of the baristas. Their attention to detail and care for customers really stands out. They make their own simple flavored syrups in house, which adds a fresh and unique twist to many of their drinks. The ambiance and decor make it a beautiful and relaxing place to sit, unwind, and truly enjoy your coffee. This is definitely a place I will keep coming back to.

The food and service were great, but for the third time in a row it was so loud eating dinner at…read moreIvy Cafe we could hardly hear ourselves speak. This was way beyond the noise level of a lively and energetic atmosphere. Everyone in the small restaurant was yelling to be able to hear themselves and each other. I strongly suggest they look into acoustic treatments for the restaurant.

If Sasha's on Demun were a person, it would be Donna Meagle from Parks and Rec. Versatile, knows…read morehow to treat yo' self, equally at home in yoga pants, ready for a backwoods adventure or dressed to the nines, and doesn't blink at any version of you that walks through the door. That's the vibe. We started on the front patio on a Friday night and quickly realized we'd made a mistake. The doors to the interior were open and the music -- a rock-forward playlist that night -- was loud enough that we considered bailing. Our server, was unbothered when we asked to move up to the rooftop. Where we met with a new bartender and server, London, who rolled with it, got us resettled, and from that point on the night was great. London was clearly handling the bar and most of the rooftop tables, but she was attentive throughout, and made eye contact, which seems a near miracle from many 20-something these days. Bumping the score up just for the flexibility on the table move alone. The food: crab cakes were genuinely good, not life-changing, but well above the weak-crab-cake bar that exists in most of the world, served simply with capers and a small salad. I went off-script and ordered the wagyu burger medium rare with fontina (London mentioned cheddar is the more common pick, but the Fontina offerd a great alternative). The burger was deeply flavorful and cooked exactly right, but here's my one real note for the kitchen: toast the brioche bun. Wagyu medium-rare puts out a lot of juice, and an untoasted bun loses its structural integrity about three bites in. A quick toast would let the bun keep some additional integrate and keep up with the perfectly cooked beef. The pom buff were great, the best elevated patato tots you may come by. Beyond what we ordered, the Greek salad is a longtime go-to -- chopped, with grape leaves and pita, available in a small or large, and easily dressed up into a light meal with or without adding some protein or can be share as a self-dress bruschetta appetizer for the group if you ask for extra bread. The cheese boards are also a reliable pick. The wine list is extensive (it's a wine bar, after all), but they don't sniff at cocktails -- I had a solid fine old fashioned, and my wife shared had a Malbec that paired well with everything. Lots of gluten-free options across the menu, too. What Sasha's gets right is that it has refused to become precious. "Wine bar" reads as pretentious to some people, but this place runs as a neighborhood spot. You'll see college kids dressed way down, couples on dates dressed way up, Hawaiian shirts, oversized sweaters, the full range. It's the kind of place where you can split a bottle with your girlfriends, meet a date for drinks and a quick bite without committing to a full dinner, or roll in for brunch on the weekend. Different times of day, different vibes -- always approachable. 4.7 stars. Loses a few tenths for the front-patio music situation and the weak burger bun, but more than makes up for it on flexibility, food, and overall hang factor.

Used to love this place, but today really changed my impression…read more We stopped in for a quick drink on a beautiful Saturday. There were a few open tables, but we were asked to wait by the door while they "got situated." Meanwhile, a walk-in who arrived after us was seated at a table we had been waiting for. When we were finally seated, we were placed in direct sun. I asked if we could move to a shaded table in the corner and was told it was only for parties of three. After explaining we'd just be there briefly for a drink, we were allowed to sit there, but the interaction felt dismissive. From that point on, the experience felt rushed. We were pushed to order quickly, our menus were taken right away, and the check came almost immediately. It made what should have been a relaxed stop feel uncomfortable and transactional. I understand how busy restaurants can get, especially on nice days, but a little more consideration and courtesy would have gone a long way.

For starters.... bring a golf buddy with you! I only visited the location because I was dropping an…read moreitem off next door when I noticed the passenger I had come with had disappeared. I looked up and saw the sign.. "WINE"!! So, I walked in (but I didn't enter the front door). To enter you can open the large black door (no signs and no window), just a heavy looking bold, black door! I went through the side glass door (it made sense). The other door looked shut. But it isn't!! Parking Off street and on-street parking ***The YELP app is being finicky... my photos haven't been posted and I've already uploaded, commented and erased them from my phone. ( so you'll have to go visit)!! Ambiance Dine in or out. If you want a sip with a friend, this is a nice enough establishment to do so. If you want a small eventful place for celebrating, this is a nice touch. Upstairs with rows and rows of adult beverages (after all it is an adult beverage store) which also is an event space. There are 4 plexiglass squares cut into the floor for an opportunity to look into the event space downstairs. Food I tried the small charcuterie board ($25) which was enough for 2. I was able to make some substitutions. Bar I chose a couple beverage selections and was provided a wine glass and a cocktail (of sorts) glass. My guest purchased Bloody Mary fixings' (vodka and the Bloody Mary mixer). The manager poured the beverage for her (cup of ice, etc.). The bar has straight adult beverages you can order. No Cocktail mixing here, purchase what you like from the rows and rows of beverages. Store There are some rolls of meats and snacks to be purchased as well for you to take or go. Event space: Walking down the huge, wooden stairs and metal wire handrail, you are "entranced" into a quiet, sexy getaway basement, complete with large expansive bar which lights up (top and front) to showcase its amber and honey colors. Bring your guests to this lovely spot. No cigar smoking (although it seems like it's a cigar spot, the manager has made it clear...NO SMOKING of any kind)! This is not the place for that. You can order charcuterie trays from them and also bring in your own catered food. So, RENT this place out and please your guests without breaking the bank! Exterior It looks intimidating but in actuality it's a FUN place with.. a 3-hole green miniature golf pad with a space of turf! How fun. And 3-permanently placed, tall, round tables. There are colorful cushions inside (to bring outside and place on the concrete wall). The putters and flags are sat next to the door. Summary Visit! Say hi! Purchase something from $3.99 up to over $1,000. Relax and enjoy!

I had the pleasure of attending an event here and was blown away by all it had to offer. Don't let…read morethe size fool you as this place was packed from corner to corner with various wines and snacks. The event I attended was downstairs. It was decorated beautifully and there was ample space for people to mingle and sit. While our event offered wine, they have a bar upstairs for other drinks/snacks. I got a class of champagne that was pretty good but nothing to write home about. The highlight of my night was playing on the putter they gave outside. Overall, it seems like a great place to pick up a bottle of wine or gather for happy hour.

As an out of town Houstonian, highly recommend. Beautiful restaurant overall with great food and a…read morewonderful vibe. The steak tartare was absolutely amazing. I'd gotten steak the night before so went with the chicken. Very flavorful, juicy & good sauce. Very attentive hostess set the stage for a lovely night. They even provided readers when they overheard one of the people in our party mention having left hers at home. Tables are tiny though so it made shareable plates a little more difficult. I was a bit worried about topping my wine when I reached over - clearly not a show stopper.

Food and drinks were great. No complaints there…read more Our party of 4 was on time but the kitchen was slow. The bill came 1 hour 35 mins after we were seated. After we paid (and tipped 30%), we were abruptly told by the hostess to leave the table and move outside to finish the drinks we had just ordered. We awkwardly gathered our belongings without protest and were rushed outside unassisted, with the other patrons staring at us. As we exited, we heard the server reappear and graciously apologize to the waiting party, offering them champagne. The table outside was set when we arrived but then actively cleared by the busser after we sat down. No one came back to check in. We felt unwelcome and quickly left. It was unnecessarily uncomfortable and put a damper on what was supposed to be a celebratory meal. This was a service failure. I understand the need to turn tables over quickly, but we should have been given at least 5 minutes notice, especially when the kitchen is running behind. Alternatively, the drinks could have been taken off the bill and we could have left outright. Even help moving or any involvement from our server or the manager would have been appreciated, but they were not present. Having had many great experiences at Vicia, I expected more from the take root hospitality group. We'll give Vicia another chance, but I'll be cautious about trying one of their sister restaurants again With the impending closure, this one may have already given up.

What a FANTASTIC find! This will absolutely be our routine first stop upon landing in STL, before…read moreheading out to visit family. The brews were great. As a wild sour lover, I was in heaven! The staff were amazing and patrons were quite welcoming. I can't think of a single negative thing, aside from being so far from my house!

Phenomenal experience for 11th anniversary party last week. Every single beer was well balanced and…read morethought out in my opinion. Can't wait to try my double barrel vanilla bottles.

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

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

Basso is such a hidden gem! The interior is warm and cozy with dim lighting and its of open flame…read more They had a fireplace going as well which gave a cozy bonfire feel. Our server was so sweet with giving us suggestions and ensuring we enjoyed all of our food. She checked back frequently and was so fun. We got the truffle fries, bread with dipping oil, and carpaccio to start. All of it was PACKED with flavor. Of the apps, the carpaccio was my fave. It was thinly sliced and the capers gave little bursts of extra flavor in each bite. For our entree, we got the lemon ricotta ravioli and the emo cover band pizza. The ravioli was an INSTANT fave. Super butter, fresh and light. A great place for a date night!

If you like carbs let me tell you about Basso. I would say with some serious thought behind the…read morestatement: best fries and potatoes ever. Yes. It's bold but it's true. If you like a gorgeous and unique bar area with amazing old school touches - yes. This is the place. If you like parking in a garage that was built before your grandparents were born- yes this place is for you. However- we had a lot of trouble with service. I don't know why but every time our waitress walked by our table, regardless of our "excuse us ma'am's " we were ignored. This is a real shame because we plan on eating dinner and having another drink, but after 45 minutes we had to leave and go somewhere else.

I visited the High Bar in Claton for a professional networking event. It took me a bit to find it,…read morebut I am so glad I didn't give up. While the drinks were pricey--as drinks typically are at a hotel bar--they were also delicious. It was the space that made it so nice, though. We were outside in a place semi-protected from the elements; so even though it was hot at the time, the evening shade and the breeze made it quite lovely. There was a great variety of sitting and standing space, making it nice for moving from group to group and talking with new people. This would be a really nice place to come on a date, too. Nice job.

I checked out High Bar, the rooftop spot on top of the AC Hotel in downtown Clayton, and the views…read moreare very nice! You get city views from all over the place. The bar itself is super stylish, really well decorated, and has this chill vibe during the day. I had a couple of cocktails and also grabbed the Italian flatbread, which was perfect for a light bite. Definitely planning on going back. If you're looking for a spot with great views and a relaxed atmosphere, High Bar is a must-try.