The Cheesecake Factory

Bulrush Stl

➤ 3305 Washington Boulevard, Saint Louis, 63103, United States Of America

Piatti • Full • Fusion • American • Contemporary

---

"My boyfriend and I came to this place during our visit to St. Louis after reading rave reviews about it online. We went in well-dressed and excited with high expectations, but unfortunately were left feeling extremely disappointed and underwhelmed. Dining at the restaurant definitely taught us a lot about the ozark history. I have a lot of respect for the time and enthusiasm the owner put into researching the history, arranging youtube videos, and conveying this information to the guests. His concerns about the environment and zero-waste efforts are also very laudable. His direct interactions with all of the guests and attempts to answer questions were refreshing. The food, however, was very lacking and mediocre. The concept of watching your food being made is fun and exciting. Understandably, they can’t make everything and plenty is prepared in advance. Except they really didn’t seem to make much of anything at all. A few grilled mushrooms here, and a delicate but also pompous plating there and that’s it. I know there’s probably a kitchen in the back and they work throughout the day as most kitchens do, but this gaudy element of pseudo showmanship missed a serious mark. Again, that’s fine. It’s an aesthetic and part of the bulrush experience. What annoys me is the price tag and the faint whiff of haughtiness that comes with it. The kitchen hands also looked apathetic, disinterested, and lacked focus. They didn’t look like professional chefs, just professional food assemblers. I did not trust that they knew to prepare food properly and that was evident in what was eventually served. The food was either too plain, too sour, too salty, or overall a very big disappointment. The steak had so many big chunks of fat in it that I was only able to eat about half of it. The poissants were cute but definitely not something I would pay that much money for, especially given that there were only about two small pieces of it on our plates. The beets, brussel sprouts, asparagus, fried onions that we were served, I can find and reproduce in my own kitchen. For the amount of money we paid, I expected a lot more flavor, unique ingredients, and creativity. I asked the owner why Ozark and he admitted it was an entrepreneurial strategy to stand out. He loved to repeat to our audience that night that “no one else” is doing it! Well when you taste the food you can kinda see why? I can’t deny though that the chefs know how to make something look appetizing in pictures. That’s what initially attracted us to the restaurant. The pretty platings and colorfully spectacular arrangements were what got us in the door. The experience has been worth it in the sense that for all that we paid for, we got a good lesson to not eat with our eyes, and a funny story to tell our friends back at home."

Kounter Kulture

➤ 3825 Watson Rd, St Louis, United States Of America, 63109

Piatti • Vegan • Casual • Coffee • Chicken

---

"My dinner date and I were a bit confused when we tried to go inside the restaurant, only to discover that the entire building was the kitchen. It turns out they only offer curbside pickup and takeout. However, a friendly hostess taking orders outside showed us a paper menu and encouraged us to order online for pickup. The food arrived quickly and was exactly what we had ordered. My companion got the chicken bibimbap and I got the sizzling beef, both of which were filled with delicious and colorful ingredients. The dishes were neatly packaged for takeout and provided a filling and delightful dining experience. The food and friendliness of the staff have definitely convinced us to return in the future!"

Novella Wine

➤ 5510 S Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis, USA, 63109, United States

Piatti • Full • Wine • Cafés • Coffee

---

"Have driven by several times and decided to stop in with 2 couples on a Saturday night.Vibe: immediately warm and inviting. Place was bustling but not crowded. Service was busy yet attentive, we asked questions and took every recommendation.Drinks: we ordered 7 of their signature cocktails from the fall menu and passed them around all delicious. The Nutty Irishman was a pleasant surprise. Fall apple caramel sangria tasted like pie. Smoked Manhattan used mesquite, which was a bit strong for the cocktail IMHO. Owner also suggested a couple liqueurs and aperitifs, both delicious, especially the macadamia nut despite it's gasohol nose.We were all delighted by this hidden gem wine bar on S Kingshighway, ended up staying until near closing. Great conversation with the owner, it's been open 9 years. They have a small but charming wrap-around patio, will check it out in warmer weather.Will definitely be back and try the food and enjoy the patio."

Adam's Smokehouse

➤ 2819 Watson Road, Saint Louis, 63139, United States Of America

Piatti • Seafood • American • Barbecue • North American

---

"Adams is fantastic! The tibs were delicious, and the brisket with apple butter glaze was incredible. The ribs were tender and literally fell off the bone. The juicy, tender brisket was amazing, and the grilled beans and pot salad were wow-worthy. I drizzled my bean juice over the brisket, and it was phenomenal! The owner came out to check on us twice and personally thanked us, which was a nice touch. He’s quite the bearded BBQ guy. They have been locally owned for 11 years, and I will definitely be returning. They even sold out of chicken before they even opened! I’m going back for sure. Just a heads-up, though—there are no vegetarian options available."

Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse Bourbon

➤ 2101 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, USA, United States

Piatti • Sushi • Steak • Mexican • Seafood

---

"As my last night in St. Louis, I decided to search for the best steak in the city, possibly even at a Top 10 Steakhouse. Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse lived up to its reputation. The service was excellent, the food was very good, and I had a great time with my colleagues. The atmosphere was enjoyable and comfortable. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The fresh bread was light and delicious. We started with a charcuterie board, which was perfect for sharing. The bacon fat candle was a creative touch. The Caesar salad was good, but not outstanding. I ordered the 12oz KC strip, which was cooked well but lacked seasoning on one side. The steak was sourced from Midwest farms and was overall very good. The loaded baked potato was decent but slightly burnt on the bottom. The macaroni and cheese was mediocre, tasting like velveta with melted cheddar. The bread pudding for dessert was tasty, though the bourbon flavor in the sauce was overpowering. Overall, Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse is a good restaurant with a solid steak near downtown St. Louis. I would recommend it to others, but it falls short of being a Top 10 Steakhouse."