Reviews & Ratings for Balaban's Wine Cellar and Tapas Bar

12/08/09

Great Wine and fun place

by PHmind at Citysearch

I had a great night out. Awesome service, good food nice atmosphere. We had a great time, shared a wonderful bottle of wine and had about 6 courses of tapas that were out of this world. Way to come back Balaban's!

• Pros: Great Wine awesome Tapas Menu
• Cons: none

03/08/09

Re-opened fine dining

by geowei at Citysearch

I've been here a couple of times. Sat in the bistro once, the tables just outside the main dining room. The menu there is a little less than the dining room and it was less impressive. But had a great meal in the dining room and will definitely return. Many classic American dishes, well done, if a bit pricey. But a good place to go for a special meal.

• Pros: Higher end dining in the CWE
• Cons: A little pricey

05/30/07

New Owners, New Chef, New Menu Food very marginal and service was poor

by tlk1968 at Citysearch

I have been a customer of Cafe Balaban for years. I had the French Onion Soup was burnt the stuffed Chicken (do not recommend) They no longer carry the Beef Wellington except on Wednesday's. It took an hour and half to get the food. I will never eat there again and they no longer allow Smoking in the Bar. The band was very good though. My suggestion is to just have drinks and no food. Very Disappointed all together in how they handle the poor service and the below standards food. I hope they will get it together soon!

10/31/06

Best Dessert in the CWE!

by erkman43 at Citysearch

Cafe Balaban's has the best dessert in the Central West End.

Their bread pudding is plentiful and tasty.

My favorite are the Chocolate Truffles dipped in Bailey's Irish Cream and then fried.

My mouth is watering just thinking of them!

Great place to impress a date on a Special Occasion.

10/13/05

food great but!

by thpeachee at Citysearch

only drink water, the booze is outrageous - service and food exclent

• Pros: food , service
• Cons: price of liqueor

04/29/04

Central West End landmark delivers a sprawling international menu, sturdy seafood and prime people-watching.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
The bar is usually packed with skinny blondes and the guys who follow them, enjoying impressive drinks (especially martinis) in an atmosphere of casual cool. The menu diverges wildly, from light French bistro fare to complex pan-Asian cuisine. Stick to the classics; Asian-inspired dishes, especially appetizers, are stronger on presentation than on flavor. A notable exception is the seafood, which proves tasty regardless of style.

06/13/03

Still smokin'

by wubear at Citysearch

I'd say Balaban's is BACK. The menu has sharpened up, along with the service. It's a pleasure to come back for casual cafe' service or formal dining, depending on mood, guests, etc. A solid B+ these days.

• Pros: food, atmosphere
• Cons: parking

05/22/03

Great Place!

by chinadoll at Citysearch

This is one of my favorite places in STL - fabulous food and ambiance. Try the fried chocolate balls for dessert!

• Pros: Great food, Ambiance
• Cons: hard to find parking