Cardwell's At The Plaza

Doesn't Recommend

aria1

Joined 5 years ago

Don't go if you plan on bringing children. I realize at night, perhaps kids are not appropriate at this place. But after you take your children to see Santa, and they are dressed nicely, I don't understand why Cardwell's would not seat my family for lunch. We were a large party, however, we were not told that they could seat us later...we were told "we can not accomodate you." How, in this economy, can you turn down a $200+ bill staring at you in the face? Half of the resturant was empty, with claims they had reservations until 2. The only reason we were not allowed to go eat at this resturant was because they didn't want any kids eating in their resturant. I will never patron a Cardwell's establishment again at any of their 3 locations in Clayton, Frontenac or the Meadows in Lake St. Louis.

Doesn't Recommend

timetoeat

Joined 7 years ago

Worst hostesses in St. Louis. Great to good food, fair prices but not a bargin. The ladies who work the front desk give the place a bad name though with their haughty, your lucky we're going to let you have a table attitude.

Since the resturant usually has a crowd, the managment doesn't recognize or care about the bad vibes these gals give many people.

Recommends

fspilberg

Joined 7 years ago

good food poor service. I keep going back to Cardwell's because of the food. It has a good seasonal menu with several good vegetarian dishes. The service, however, varies from bad to atrocious. From the people who seat you to the waiters, the attitude is generally arrogant. It would be wonderful if the staff could get some basic training on how to treat customers.

Doesn't Recommend

imcookie99

Joined 7 years ago

Good food but poor, poor service. I have been to Cardwell's many times. The food is good the service is very bad. I have been denied a reservation even though the tables were empty and told the kitchen was closed when it wasn't. The waiters seem indifferent to the customers. The hostess- well she leaves a lot to be desired. Maybe someone should tell her what the definition of the word "hostess" is. My husband loves the pizza and that's why we kept going back. I will gladly pay for a good meal. I will not pay to be treated badly by attitudinal, snotty wait staff. Bottom line- I'd rather stay home and cook.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Inventive contemporary cuisine for sophisticated palates..

The Food
Cardwell's menu offerings entice the palate as well as the eye. Since the chef is a vegetarian, his meatless offerings are exceptionally inventive. But they don't shy away from preparing meat dishes, including smoked, barbecued baby back ribs and a classic burger jazzed up with bleu and cheddar cheeses and earthy applewood-smoked bacon.

The Scene
Cardwell's disproves the stereotype that a mall restaurant can't be top flight. It has a separate, outdoor entrance and a contemporary décor that resembles anything but a cookie-cutter franchise.

Location, Location
When you make your reservation, ask to be seated at one of the alcove tables or at least toward the back (east side) of the restaurant, since the more casual seating near the bar is in view of the swanky mall's well-heeled foot traffic. --Melissa Martin

Recommends

cardswill

Joined 9 years ago

Love this Place. Cool atmosphere and great food. Love to eat here with my wife before a movie. Always something interesting on the menu and great wines. A great date at any time.

Doesn't Recommend

andthensome

Joined 11 years ago

Disappointment at the Plaza. Having eaten pizza and a salad a few months ago and having a good (above average) experience, I was very disappointed when stepping up to the entree plate. I ordered the tuna medium rare and it came out WELL (as in VERY WELL) done. When I brought it up to the waiter (and I did not make a scene, I merely asked him if it looked medium rare after cutting three pieces and finding NO hint of pink, I also sliced right down the middle in search of pink), he just brushed it off - he didn't even ask if I wanted another one cooked to Medium Rare and there was no offer of a drink or dessert for the inconvenience. NOTHING was done. This shows more for the management, as the waiter clearly was not trained. I will not be back.

Doesn't Recommend

musickna

Joined 11 years ago

Ordinary and Overpriced. Cardwell's At The Plaza was one of the more disappointing eating experiences I have had in the St. Louis area. Perhaps I was looking for more than I should have from a mall restaurant in an expensive area, but we received what I judged to be very indifferent meal, including a blandly presented hamburger for $10 that was marginally superior to a Big Mac and certainly inferior to those you would find at place like Blueberry Hill or McGurk's. Considering the wealth of fine and distinctive eating houses in and around St. Louis, Cardwell's must rate close to the bottom. A remarkably soulless experience.