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.

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!

A celebration calls for great food, drinks and experience!…read more Herbie's conquered all 3! Seatings: Great outdoor and indoor seating area. Extensive wine menu to choose from. The vibes of the restaurant will fit whichever mood your are in. Indoor for more dark and cozy experience. Outside by the fire pit, or around the front for a more brighter outdoor experience, or cozy up in the sofa like seating for a more comfy feel. Service- Service was great! Whenever I would turn my head, its like she had already read my mind and was right there. Good- Delicious! I had a hard time selecting because all entree sounded so good to me. I went with the pick 3 deal. Glad I did, it was worth it for an indecisive person like myself.

We hadn't been to Herbie's for about four years - not for any particular reason - it just happened…read more I was looking for a place to have dinner and when I saw Herbie's, it sounded good! We had a reservation and were greeted and seated as soon as we walked in. We prefer sitting outside when we come here, but it was chilly and in addition to not wanting to be cold throughout our meal, their outdoor seating wasn't set up. The dining room is just bland and boring looking. Our server came over with water right after we were seated. We needed a minute to check out the cocktail menu. We ordered drinks, heard the specials, asked a few questions, and made our choices. My husband started with a half Caesar salad and said it was just okay. I started with the French Onion Soup and I was disappointed. I believe it's the worst I've had. It was oddly sweet and it was served with two full bay leaves in it. I thought everyone knew to remove bay leaves before serving food. When our dishes were removed from the table, I pointed it out. The person said, "sorry about that" and that was it. My husband got the halibut special and said it was good, but nothing great. I got the Pear and Goat Cheese Flatbread and it was really good! I feel like everything used to be a bit more elevated there. Service, food, and vibe were all very average and we remembered, and expected, it to be better than it was.

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.

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.

Such an underrated brunch spot!…read more The coffee press in itself makes the trip worth it but the service and the cozy Dogtown ambiance helps start off my Sunday mornings perfectly.

Inside out: as we were visiting it was easy to get dropped off in an uber here. The outside is…read morecharming but the inside is incredibly cute! I love the decor and the vibe over all. Service: we had a pretty large and varied group, they took fast incredible care of us and had amazing suggestions! Food and drink: smoked Bloody Mary. Just do it. Everything was amazing portions of food cooked to perfection, the salmon I still think about months later! So worth the price, so worth every single bite! Over all: worth it, I cannot say enough how great this place is!

A little hidden gem of a place in Clayton. Hadn't heard of it before, but had a gift certificate,…read moreso had to give it a try. Menu is on the smaller side, but that means "what they do; they do well". We both started with a glass of wine (one red and one white). Again, limited options but both were enjoyable. Ambiance was cozy and inviting. Server was knowledgeable and efficient. Clearly several regulars were in that night as both the servers and chefs/cooks interacted in a friendly manner. We both started with Spinach Salads, which were basic, but good. I had the Peppercorn Filet and my wife had the Cajun Shrimp. My steak was great and came with mashed potatoes and green beans. Shrimp dish was not spicy, but had good flavor. It also came with mashed potatoes. No dessert. Finally, pretty reasonable prices for a nice weekday dinner in Clayton.

Almonds I love you and I've missed you. I forgot about you but now I'm back. The menus on a…read morechalkboard are it because paper menus are for quitters. I got a tuna-crawfish situation! My appetizer was the crawfish in a rich and decadent sauce served over bread. Wow! Then I moved onto the tuna steak that I inhaled because it was simple and perfect and I couldn't stop enjoying. She's #stlouispescatarianapproved for sure. Such an underrated and unknown spot.

Beautiful cafe with just enough indoor seating and a nice sized patio. The service style is order…read moreat the counter, find a table and be served. This makes me so nervous because what if no seats are open when it's my turn to sit down! LOL. There was no problem finding a table inside. Every item I ordered was 5 stars!! The umami omelette was delicious. Do not be alarmed by the mustard! It works! It's great. The hibiscus tea and lemonade was refreshing! Very light flavors and not too sweet. THESE ARE DEFINITELY AT THE TOP OF THE PANCAKE LIST IN ST. LOUIS. Fluffy, delicious, a true house-made batter. I'd prefer actual blueberries instead of the blueberry brown butter.

We came for brunch on Easter and had a lovely time! Cute interior and nice patio out front with…read morelots of seating. We got a cinnamon roll to share between the 4 of us and loved how it was balanced with sweet and spicy. The umami omelette lived up to its name and was delicious! Service was the most disappointing thing. You order at the register and put your number on your table, ok. Get your own water, alright. The cashier didn't let us know where the milk was for coffee and the person I asked seemed annoyed that I didn't know already. Sorry, first time here. For a really cute place with such tasty food, the cafeteria style service doesn't match.

wedding services are amazing they go the extra step to make sure our needs are met. the staff is…read morereally friendly the food is absolutely delicious and the location is beautiful over looking forest park.

Brisket toasted ravioli were perfect! Lightly breaded with generous portions of brisket. The…read morehomemade marinara is so tasty. We split an Italian chopped salad and it was plenty for the two of us. Spring mix was fresh, toppings of meat and olives were delicious. The rib eye and mashed potatoes were cooked perfectly to order and it was a good quality cut of meat. The grilled salmon with chili sauce was lovely. Honestly it was so good, it would have been amazing without the chili sauce! We finished with the port wine chocolate cake. Rich and delicious. Overall, the food quality to cost was very very good. High quality food for less than many other restaurants. Well done!

Very friendly staff. Service was excellent. The patio was a nice area to relax & enjoy a long…read moredinner with friends. The food was tasty. We loved the appetizers. Pastas were good & we had a favorite- the bucatini. The tomato sauce was delicious. We ordered for happy hour. Wine flight was $12. What an amazing deal. And the waitress brought the 2 of us flights with 8 different wines. Was a great way to try so many.