Esca

“Great ambiance. Attentive staff. We ordered probably half the menu. Everything was delicious - scallops were excellent. The mortadella was order a second time because it was so good. Anchovy toast, strachiatella, grilled Caesar, octopus all were wonderful. The skirt steak tasted good but was cooked more than medium and was cubed like it was kebobed. Wine list has some great selections and the old fashioned was unique and delicious”

“A real treat yo self experience is to be had at this restaurant by the Bengelina Hospitality Group. At this coastal Mediterranean restaurant we enjoyed the Stracciatella consisting of grilled grapes, rosemary almonds, and aged balsamic and the shrimp oreganata as starters. For the grilled over charcoal portion of the menu, we enjoyed the the Denver steak and skirt steak. For the side, you can't go wrong with the fire baked potato with truffle fonduta. The limoncello tiramisu is delightful and fresh. The homemade chocolate truffles are made by Chef's mom and are a must try menu item. As far as the staff, Ellie was knowledgeable, friendly, and provided excellent recommendations. Jonathan's keen sense of hospitality and operational excellence further enhances the restaurant experience.”

“Staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and made excellent recommendations! The space has an incredible vibe and love the upscale decor. Highly recommend! Excellent food, service, and atmosphere.”

“Esca was absolutely delightful. My wife and I went there on a date tonight, and found the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service to be just top notch. Waiters were very attentive without being obsequious, waters were refilled, plates were cleared quickly. We both got "shrubs" (mocktails) which were the best we've had, not just lazy sodas, but really tasty flavorful mixes. For food we had the beet/carrot salad, the roasted artichokes, the veal tartare, the spanish octopus, and the sweet potatoes, and all were just excellent, with the sweet potato side being a surprise favorite. Flavors were well balanced, portions were fine, and food came quickly and well coursed out. Finally, the atmosphere was just great, sort of simulating a home kitchen with some rustic touches. The restaurant felt nice but the atmosphere kept it from becoming stuffy. Overall we had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.”

“Esca absolutely lived up to the hype. From the moment you walk in, the space sets the tone — warm lighting, cozy seating, and a moody, intimate vibe that makes you want to slow down and actually enjoy the evening. It feels elevated without being stuffy. We started with the ciabatta and Esca butter, which was warm, crusty, and dangerously good. The beet + carrot salad was bright and earthy, and the grilled artichokes were smoky, tender, and completely addictive. Because the appetizer list was so good, we also added the lamb meatballs al forno with milled tomato sauce, pecorino, and pangrattato — rich, cozy, and beautifully done. For our main, we shared the branzino with olive-pistachio tapenade, which was crisp on the outside, flaky inside, and perfectly seasoned. The cocktail and wine selection deserves a special shout-out — well curated, interesting, and the kind of list you want to explore over the course of the night. The service here really stands out. I mentioned wishing there were more chocolate dessert options, and the bartender had the kitchen make fresh chocolate sauce so I could have a mini sundae. That level of hospitality is rare. One of my favorite details: as you’re eating, they quietly box up anything you don’t finish, give you a claim ticket, and you pick up your leftovers at the front on your way out — like a coat check, but for food. I also can’t wait to come back when the patio is open — this feels like a perfect spot for long, candle-lit evenings with great drinks and great food. If you enjoy honest local food finds, follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more STL restaurant and cocktail recommendations. 🍸”