We look forward to Restaurant Week (RW) every year as an opportunity to enjoy a special dinner at a…read morelocal spot we've never visited. 5 of us came from St Charles County and were delighted with our experience at Cafe La Vie (located within the La Meridien Hotel, parking underground). The cocktail menu and RW menu were fabulous, and yet bringing it all to life with effusive knowledge and enthusiasm about the various dishes was our outstanding server, Corinthian. She shared interesting and incredible insight on each offering, making us feel valued and appreciated patrons, advising based on our interests and likes to help us make decisions. Each of us was pleased with our various selections. While the soups were tempting on a cold night, I was delighted with the French-inspired Lyonnaise salad complete with a perfectly prepared soft boiled egg. My panko-encrusted swordfish with burre Blanc sauce was light and tasty. The gooey butter beignets were light on the gooey butter custard-like filling, as promised by our server (and more special than the typical St. Louis dessert), sprinkled with powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate. The ample dessert (3) provided take home leftovers for delicious breakfast treats. The cocktails I enjoyed included a Japanese Old Fashioned & an Espresso Martini, both very good. Initially upon arrival, an adjacent table of younger women was unusually loud (in a space that doesn't absorb noise well) that I feared would spoil our evening; rather than approach them (tempted) or engage management, I glared a few times at them and it seemed to have resolved. Overall, this was a very enjoyable, comfortable, and satisfying dinner; we would return.

Ambiance - hey, it's part of the Le Meridien Hotel, and guess what?we were staying there! We seated…read moreourselves at the bar and I quickly ordered a Kolsch local brew while hubby ordered a Stella 0.0 beer - we weren't TOO hungry but still - we ordered up a menu and dived in! I ordered a smoked turkey soup while hubby ordered up his signature French Onion soup - we also ordered up a 1/2 charcuterie board - good news? The soups were just great, really. We ate 'em up quickly! The charcuterie board? Ok - where to start? The salami and prosciutto were great. The cheddar cheese was way too basic and (dare I say) a couple pieces were hardening up- yikes! Fresh it was not. The other cheese was unable to be ID'd and was kind of "bread like" - not good. But the bread (crostini)? Oh my goodness- hard as a rock. Not good at all. So we ate up the meat, some of the cheddar - and left most of that funky cheese and that hard bread. The hummus and fig spread was great, though - so no issues there. Hmm. So this was a mixed bag. But the surprise came - partly my fault, I know - I asked for a shot of their most expensive Scotch on the rocks. I should have asked the price - just over $100 for a shot! We didn't know this and only wish the bartender would have asked me to confirm the order by saying "the one I have is over $100/shot - are you sure you want it!" - but that didn't happen, darn it. So we paid up - and I swore never to order nothing but basic Scotch going forward! So - the soups and beers were great - but we suggest staying away from the charcuterie board until the bread and cheese selections are tweaked a bit more!

Stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning and it was great! We got coffee, a smoothie, scone &…read moreI enjoyed the avocado toast while my friend got the breakfast sandwich. Everything was fantastic -- the smoothie wasn't overwhelmingly sweet and all the food was really good. Food presentation was pretty too! It was a little busy, so there was a short line, but it moved pretty quick. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. The staff was friendly and though there was a bit of a wait for our food, I think the ambiance was perfect for a slow Saturday morning. Can't wait to come back and try different things!

Great place for breakfast. My friend is currently obsessed with their scones which did look good…read more No scone for me, I got the soft scramble. Still not sure why it is called soft but it was delicious. 2 eggs on bed of arugula with avocado and toast on the side. I also got golden milk latte which was good. Loved my food and drink but prefer if portions were slightly larger. FYI- order at counter then they bring food to table.

And this bird can sing! I'm late to the intro, but happy to finally check in at the Tower Grove…read morelocation. Songbird makes great use of its space and should be near the top of your STL brunch list. A reasonably-sized (not-overwhelming) menu, great coffee, delicious cocktails, quick, attentive service, and undeniably delicous food. I took off on a redeye this morning (coffee courtesy of Blueprint), and landed on the Farm Sampler: two scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, sourdough toast, sliced avocado and sauteed shiitake mushrooms. Phenomenal flavors and textures. Toast is typically an afterthought for me, but the buttery crunch of the sourdough has to be spotlighted. The Bee's Knees cocktail was also a wonderfully refreshing prelude to the approaching STL summer. The time has come, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say: wake up, reserve, enjoy.

I think that Songbird suffers from a problem that many businesses have when they scale up: the…read morepersonal connection is lost, and the food no longer tastes like it is made with love. I was very excited to try them but left knowing I would not return. I waited 40 minutes on a weekday morning for a bar seat for one, standing because all the waiting area seats were taken. The hostess/waitress was very nice when she got to me, but you could tell that the amount of customers was simply too much to handle. Now, this was okay - I should have made a reservation, and it's not the staff's fault they were overwhelmed. However, the service once I sat down was patchy, delayed and distracted. I had to remind different servers of my presence, multiple times. I was willing to overlook this if the food had been fantastic, but unfortunately, their most popular item, the combo breakfast sandwich, was so incredibly heavy. The first bite was crispy, oily and fatty deliciousness, but by the third bite it was simply too rich. The sweet overtone of the honey was lovely but did not cut through the grease. By the time I finished half, I understood why several diners had left the other half uneaten. My personal preference is for a fresh, umami yet balanced sandwich that does not make me feel queasy after finishing it. This was not the sandwich for me. There was a long delay after I finished eating for them to bring me the check. My whole meal took around 2.5 hours. I had arrived starving and, I like to think, with an open mind. These are my honest, unfiltered observations. It is wonderful that so many people want to try their food and that their new space is bigger. Their decor, glassware and menu were cute and tasteful. I also love that they grew from a farmers market food stall and that they source their ingredients locally. With their level of popularity, I think they should focus on preserving the quality of their service and food.

Absolutely amazing, you can tell the noodles were homemade. Great portion size of pasta.read more

I loveeee pastaria!! It's dangerous how close I live because I do frequent this place often and I…read morecan't believe I hadn't left a review yet! I pop in for gelato frequently, but I also enjoy the pistachio raviolis a lot. You really can't go wrong with any pasta choice, and I haven't tried their pizza but it looks and smells amazing. I usually enjoy my dinner with a glass of wine -- they have a great selection. If it's nice out, we try to sit outside. I do recommend getting a reservation because they get really busy during peak dinner hours! The staff is always friendly, from the hostess to the waiters to the bartenders, I've never had a bad experience. Highly recommend this place!

I've been to Ivy Cafe a number of times for coffee and breakfast, but today was my first time…read moreordering from the lunch menu. There are so many great options, and as expected, the food was really good. The coffee is always excellent too. What truly makes the experience stand out, though, is the service. Sarina is always exceptional -- friendly, attentive, and welcoming every single time we visit. She genuinely makes you feel valued as a customer and adds so much to the overall atmosphere. Looking forward to coming back again soon!

delicious food, beautiful café, attentive service, accommodating of dietary restrictionsread more

This is one of the go two places that my St. Louis family takes visitors to eat when they are in…read moretown. We came in today for a breakfast prior to airport drop off, and it did not disappoint. I had a veggie omelette with egg whites. The omelettes come with pancakes. The most surprising thing about my breakfast was how fluffy the omelette was. It literally bounced when the server placed the plate on the table. My two little ones had a half order of brioche French toast, and a strawberry waffle. They really specialize in the breakfast breads here, so the pancakes, French toast, and waffle were all delicious. Our other family members also enjoyed their food. One of the best things about this place is that the food comes out extremely fast while also being hot, fresh, and well-made. They were popping on a Saturday morning, but we were able to be sat right away at 7 AM in the 7 AM hour. By the time we left around 8:30, there were people waiting for tables.

In spite of the Toast app, we are seated. I really like the people here and the omelets are…read moreespecially yummy! I knew it was going to be a problem when they changed how reservations are made and waitlists are "maintained" Well, I'm fairly certain that First Watch is pleased that The Original Pancake House has made this uninformed decision. Regular diners here should know the decision was not made in Missouri. Obviously! The staff the menu and the ambiance is not negatively affected. So, stick with your favorite choices. And let the staff know we understand. Brunch was excellent. Service was prompt. Very good choice for breakfast, brunch, or lunch! It's all as it should be in here.

My coffee was really good, it came out really quick, perfect temperature and there was some good…read moreseasonal things on the menu. The staff was super nice and friendly and I appreciate the good customer service. It was pretty clutch how it was within a mile from my hotel and I will return. Thanks for the delicious coffee and pick me up before my work event. They have food, a kids menu they have pastries. They have desserts and sweets. They have a lot of good options and got a good table space here.

My wife and I have been coming to the living room since we started dating over a decade ago. Over…read moretime the restaurant has expanded but kept the same great service. The new (ish) expansion was a great move. The restaurant space is open and bright with ample room to spread out. The menu has a good mixture. My favorite is the wingspan breakfast. It is a medium boiled egg, bacon, and a peppery biscuit. I get it every time. They also make good drinks and I'm partial to their chais. Overall it is a great neighborhood coffee shop. .

I've been to this creperie a few times with my mom for mother's day and other occasions and I've…read moreenjoyed my experience. Finding a parking spot in that location can be tricky since it's a busy area and there only seems to be street parking. The wait time can be pretty long, but the crepes there are pretty good.

City Coffee & Creperie is such a gem, especially in the Clayton area! They have a beautiful plus…read moreindoor patio as well, so it's always a hit for me no matter what. The service is pretty quick too even when busy. I always get the Santa Fe crepe!! The flavors are absolutely immaculate, and it's perfect for sharing with friends. The menu is so diverse, with so many flavors and toppings, both sweet and savory crepes. Honestly, it's one of my favorite go-to spots, and I highly recommend it! Just note that parking can get tricky since the area is super busy.