Nothing short of a great dining experience. Delicious yet not typical dishes served in a beautiful space (indoor and patio) by some very thoughtful staff. This is the spot to bring friends from out of town when you want to impress them with an example of what St. Louis can deliver. I will be back, often.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blistered Red Tomato Bruschetta, Tuna Crudo
Chela Colvin
Atmosphere was quaint and warm, but my entree (a rather tiny dish of pumpkin gnocchi) was absolutely cold and flavorless. Never mind that both the main course and the starter of pickled zucchini took ages (and that was meant to be cold). Really confused how service could be backed up at 6:00p. Anyways, I couldn’t eat more than four bites and didn’t care to box the leftover gnocchi either. Couldn’t recommend this place to anyone. Hype and high hopes, unfortunately dashed.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Kyle
Really wanted to like this place, awesome atmosphere, awesome service and server was amazing but the steak was unequivocally one of the worst steaks I've ever had....incredibly chewy and definitely lacked a good trim. We took it home to give it a second chance but tossed it even after slow roasting further. $45 down the drain.
Unfortunately while the business requested feedback on our experience that feedback was ignored....and yes, as bad as the pictures are they don't do it justice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Carrie Hoelscher
Had a fantastic experience at Esca! The food was beautiful and delicious. The desserts, particularly the chocolate truffles, were a standout. With an inviting and cozy atmosphere, this is the perfect place to spend an evening. We'll be making this a regular spot, and can't wait to go back very soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Ford
Another home run for Ben!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A S
Food was delicious and creative. The straccietella with peaches is amazing! Would definitely recommend. We were seated in the patio. Nice environment, with grape vines around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Stracciatella with Peaches, Tuna Crudo
Steven Alan Ramsey
I really hate leaving really bad reviews.
However, while this place has wonderful vibes; they served my wife an alcoholic drink, disguised as a mock-tail, after confirming that the drink was alcohol free. She stated and asked multiple times while ordering that these drinks must be alcohol free. My wife is 31 weeks pregnant and clearly showing.
Mistakes happen; the server caught his mistake quickly, to his benefit. But not before my wife drank a few sips. However, there are mistakes you can make; and mistakes you really cannot make. This falls into the latter.
So you should probably not trust this restaurant if you are (1) pregnant or (2) potentially have any serious food allergies.
What is almost as bad; is that the when this was brought to the attention of staff and management; their response was merely to remove the offending beverage (that we did not order) from the ticket only *AFTER* I pointed it out. They basically said we're sorry, pay for the rest of your meal. I asked again if this was their best customer service in which case I would be forced to write this review.
As we were walking away; the (I am assuming) Manager brought my wife an unmarked gift card, which at this point I am unable to verify the amount on the card so i cannot say whether it is reasonable, generous or not but it was clearly a sour bite to end a Friday night date night.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Emily Mack
My husband and I had a great date night dinner at Esca! We were seated at the bar with our reservation, which some may not be a fan of, but we actually prefer. The bartenders were very friendly, and service overall was top notch. The food was great, and the ambience was just as on point. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robyn Hayes
I don't leave my bubble much to head out but this was totally worth it. I met some friend from my youth and we had the best time, the food was so well thoughtout and flavorful, The atmosphere spot on and the details just made it special. I loved hearing the dessert cart bell ring when it was being delivered. My steak amazing as were the other apps. I can't wait to go back again. So glad I went.
I went to Esca for the first time on Saturday, the atmosphere is absolutely top notch, they did an incredible job decorating and the patio is fantastic. I love the little lounge area behind the bar you can sit at and have a drink. Before you sit down for dinner! The service was great but the food was incredible! The Cesar salad was grilled and my favorite, the gnocchi was as soooo good and the zucchini appetizer was one of the best things I’ve ever had! The spritzer I had was also so refreshing and just an all around great experience!
Had a reservation for 8 PM. Arrived at the restaurant at 8 PM and the hostess asked us to please sit at the bar and she would let us know when our table was ready. At approximately 8:25 she approached us and asked if we would just simply dine at the bar because they were so busy… ?? We found this quite upsetting as we had a reservation.. we obliged .. but sooo disappointed!! We’ve never had this happen before! This restaurant was very loud.. staff clearly stressed . Bartender was a bright spot. Food was underwhelming. — onion dip appetizer as well as Esca salad had no flavor. Entrees were better but for the price it was surprising that they came without any sides. Cocktails were good — space is very well designed . For the money and due to the bad experience we will probably spending our dining dollars elsewhere. ..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sourdough Bread, Wagyu Steak with Bone Marrow
Camilla Kachar
Great atmosphere and service. However the food was so unimpressive. Nothing was bad but it was underwhelming. First time I went I thought it was just maybe my luck but the second time was the exact same. Tried just about everything on their menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Dirk Hennessey
Top notch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edwin Cruz
We just celebrated our anniversary, and we're so glad we chose ESCA.
We ate outside, and though I wish the outdoor seats were more comfortable, the experience was perfect.
Food and service were amazing, we plan to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Stracciatella with Peaches, Blistered Red Tomato Bruschetta, Whole Branzino
Fern Taylor
Went there with friends, and all of our food was bland, but the drinks and service were excellent.
Wonderful.
Nothing short of a great dining experience. Delicious yet not typical dishes served in a beautiful space (indoor and patio) by some very thoughtful staff. This is the spot to bring friends from out of town when you want to impress them with an example of what St. Louis can deliver. I will be back, often.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Blistered Red Tomato Bruschetta, Tuna Crudo
Atmosphere was quaint and warm, but my entree (a rather tiny dish of pumpkin gnocchi) was absolutely cold and flavorless. Never mind that both the main course and the starter of pickled zucchini took ages (and that was meant to be cold). Really confused how service could be backed up at 6:00p. Anyways, I couldn’t eat more than four bites and didn’t care to box the leftover gnocchi either. Couldn’t recommend this place to anyone. Hype and high hopes, unfortunately dashed.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Really wanted to like this place, awesome atmosphere, awesome service and server was amazing but the steak was unequivocally one of the worst steaks I've ever had....incredibly chewy and definitely lacked a good trim. We took it home to give it a second chance but tossed it even after slow roasting further. $45 down the drain.
Unfortunately while the business requested feedback on our experience that feedback was ignored....and yes, as bad as the pictures are they don't do it justice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Had a fantastic experience at Esca! The food was beautiful and delicious. The desserts, particularly the chocolate truffles, were a standout. With an inviting and cozy atmosphere, this is the perfect place to spend an evening. We'll be making this a regular spot, and can't wait to go back very soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Another home run for Ben!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious and creative. The straccietella with peaches is amazing! Would definitely recommend.
We were seated in the patio. Nice environment, with grape vines around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak Tartare, Stracciatella with Peaches, Tuna Crudo
I really hate leaving really bad reviews.
However, while this place has wonderful vibes; they served my wife an alcoholic drink, disguised as a mock-tail, after confirming that the drink was alcohol free. She stated and asked multiple times while ordering that these drinks must be alcohol free. My wife is 31 weeks pregnant and clearly showing.
Mistakes happen; the server caught his mistake quickly, to his benefit. But not before my wife drank a few sips. However, there are mistakes you can make; and mistakes you really cannot make. This falls into the latter.
So you should probably not trust this restaurant if you are (1) pregnant or (2) potentially have any serious food allergies.
What is almost as bad; is that the when this was brought to the attention of staff and management; their response was merely to remove the offending beverage (that we did not order) from the ticket only *AFTER* I pointed it out. They basically said we're sorry, pay for the rest of your meal. I asked again if this was their best customer service in which case I would be forced to write this review.
As we were walking away; the (I am assuming) Manager brought my wife an unmarked gift card, which at this point I am unable to verify the amount on the card so i cannot say whether it is reasonable, generous or not but it was clearly a sour bite to end a Friday night date night.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My husband and I had a great date night dinner at Esca! We were seated at the bar with our reservation, which some may not be a fan of, but we actually prefer. The bartenders were very friendly, and service overall was top notch. The food was great, and the ambience was just as on point. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I don't leave my bubble much to head out but this was totally worth it. I met some friend from my youth and we had the best time, the food was so well thoughtout and flavorful, The atmosphere spot on and the details just made it special. I loved hearing the dessert cart bell ring when it was being delivered. My steak amazing as were the other apps. I can't wait to go back again. So glad I went.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sourdough Bread, Brussels Sprouts, Gnocchi, Blistered Red Tomato Bruschetta
I went to Esca for the first time on Saturday, the atmosphere is absolutely top notch, they did an incredible job decorating and the patio is fantastic. I love the little lounge area behind the bar you can sit at and have a drink. Before you sit down for dinner! The service was great but the food was incredible! The Cesar salad was grilled and my favorite, the gnocchi was as soooo good and the zucchini appetizer was one of the best things I’ve ever had! The spritzer I had was also so refreshing and just an all around great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Had a reservation for 8 PM. Arrived at the restaurant at 8 PM and the hostess asked us to please sit at the bar and she would let us know when our table was ready. At approximately 8:25 she approached us and asked if we would just simply dine at the bar because they were so busy… ?? We found this quite upsetting as we had a reservation..
we obliged .. but sooo disappointed!! We’ve never had this happen before! This restaurant was very loud.. staff clearly stressed .
Bartender was a bright spot.
Food was underwhelming. — onion dip appetizer as well as Esca salad had no flavor.
Entrees were better but for the price it was surprising that they came without any sides.
Cocktails were good — space is very well designed .
For the money and due to the bad experience we will probably spending our dining dollars elsewhere. ..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Sourdough Bread, Wagyu Steak with Bone Marrow
Great atmosphere and service. However the food was so unimpressive. Nothing was bad but it was underwhelming. First time I went I thought it was just maybe my luck but the second time was the exact same. Tried just about everything on their menu.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Top notch
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We just celebrated our anniversary, and we're so glad we chose ESCA.
We ate outside, and though I wish the outdoor seats were more comfortable, the experience was perfect.
Food and service were amazing, we plan to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Stracciatella with Peaches, Blistered Red Tomato Bruschetta, Whole Branzino
Went there with friends, and all of our food was bland, but the drinks and service were excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
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