Cottleville Wine Seller — Restaurant in Cottleville

Ok friends. Here's my review of a local business from last night. First off, the ambiance was adorable, warm/welcoming/spacious, with plenty of seating; including covered/heated areas to keep you dry and warm yet remain outside. The restrooms were located right in the middle with several stalls, which for us ladies is important when having drinks 😉 The food was good for "winery" food. Had the turkey panini.

Now to where it takes a turn and would have me hesitant to patron the business again. While the "bartenders" (use that status lightly) were pleasant, it seemed only one was working while the other two were there for the gossip. Thankfully last night was not a crowded night by any stretch. With that said, here comes the turn... My friend ordered a lemonade/vodka.... received lemonade. I ordered captain/diet....received captain. We each ran a tab (which I usually won't do, due to bad experiences with being wrongly charged in the past). At the end of the night when she handed me my bill, I immediately recognized she gave me the wrong bill as none of the items listed were what I ordered and it was double the $$ mine should have been. She then took that bill back and returned a few minutes later stating those individuals apparently left without paying and somehow my tab was closed out so she re-rang my bill. I wanted to be really petty at this point but still left a decent tip.

This morning, as I'm paying bills, I notice I have a double charge for $28.33 pending in my account. I called and spoke with a girl who sounded like she must have just graduated high school, told her the situation and was then told, "well I'll have to take your name and number cuz we're like really busy right now.." She then proceeded to tell me when she goes out, she notices two pending charges in her account sometimes but then one goes away. Everything in me wanted to go off; but I maintained composure and left my name/number.

Get a call back; a voicemail stating I have in fact been charged twice. So that sealed it for me... as cute and fun as the atmosphere was...maybe I'll return (and pay drink by drink with cash)...

I love this place- so low key and casual. Is the service really slow? YES! (even when they are not busy). Is the food mediocre at best? YES! So why do I love it so much? The atmosphere! Any given weekend night or Sunday afternoon the place is filled with people enjoying themselves. The good vibes just permeate the place. There are several options for covered seating and open seating. No matter where you sit you can feel like you are in a completely different restaurant than you were last week. You fit in if you are dressed for a date, dressed for a humid walk in Cottleville, dressed for a happy hour stop after work. The fact is you just feel comfortable amongst this eclectic mix of patrons. I really love the live music even if it is really bad; 20% of the time. The live music gives you something to focus on and talk about. Bathrooms are surprisingly clean even on a Saturday night. Even though the guests are moving tables around as another couple they know joins them, the place is spacious enough you can still walk around comfortably. The best part of the location is the Cottleville strip. From the Wine Seller you can walk to the Chocolate Bar for a more upscale experience, Jo's fifth street pub for a local experience, and Beemo's the traditional sports-bar experience. I have also enjoyed going into the actual Wine Seller (Cellar) where you are treated to a mini tasting and explanation of the featured wines available for sale as carry out or to have at your table. This place is busy all spring summer and early fall for good reason- its just fun...

We have been here twice. This time we chose a Sunday evening. I'm sure we set with regulars. Nice atmosphere. So, this is a review, not complaining. (there is a difference :) ) It's a bit confusing to enter in. Never a host/hostess to sit you. The wait staff always seems to be a bit confused. I took a bit of time to look around. The tables are not arranged in any order. The food is pricey for what you get. The description of food , im sure is accurate. But, when you get it, it's about disappointing. I paid $13.00 for a roast beef sub. This means for $13.00, it should be over the top! Lots of roast beef, cheese, dressing etc. This sub was very disappointing. My wife ordered a salad, and it was the same, it was okay. on a plastic plate. Good. but not $10.00 good. both meals probably cost $1.25. The waiter was lost, not very good. Never smiled, lost his belt. If your there for the beer and wine, i'm sure its great. The appetizer, pretzel bites, were great! Very yummy, and plenty of them. $10.00. Train your staff, organize the tables, seating area. Get away from Black, its an outdoor setting, liven up the place. :) Get a host/hostess to run/manage the wait staff and customers. And get some type of an entrance or signage going. We will return, but...