AVA Garden Bar — Restaurant in St. Louis

A complete disaster for Mother’s Day—absolutely unacceptable.

I came to Ava Garden alone, expecting a peaceful and enjoyable solo celebration. Instead, I waited over an hour just to receive a single glass of wine. During that time, I was completely ignored—not once, but four separate times—by the server assigned to my section. I sat there, visibly waiting, while others around me were helped. It was so egregious that your host, Cambrea (I believe that’s her name), had to step away from her own responsibilities to try and serve me herself. That’s how neglected I was.

The restaurant was not even busy, so there is absolutely no excuse for the delays or the inattention. And when the food finally arrived, it was just as disappointing. The fried crab rice smelled like raw tuna, tasted like oil and plain white rice, had zero seasoning, and the portion was shockingly small. It was honestly inedible.

I came here specifically because of how Ava Garden presents itself on Instagram—stylish, upscale, well-run. But my experience was the opposite: disorganized, unprofessional, and deeply disappointing. I was even considering this venue for a dinner party. That will not be happening.

If your business wants to portray a high-end experience, you need to live up to what you're advertising. Right now, it feels like a bait-and-switch.

The only reason I’m giving one star is because Cambrea made a real effort to step in and salvage an otherwise disastrous night. She deserves credit. The rest of the experience?...

I had the absolute pleasure of being served by Vitto at Ava, and I can honestly say he is one of the best bartenders I've ever encountered. From the moment we sat down, Vitto made us feel welcome and taken care of. His energy is magnetic, and his attention to detail is unmatched. He crafted our drinks perfectly and even offered great recommendations based on what we liked, every cocktail was a hit!

What really stood out was his professionalism mixed with a genuinely warm and personable vibe. He managed a full bar effortlessly while still making every guest feel like the priority. If you’re visiting Ava, do yourself a favor and sit at the bar with Vitto. He’s phenomenal, truly the kind of person who elevates the...

Overall, I would say that Ava Garden Bar is a great place to go! I have come here a few times now and I love the location. They decorated the bar in a super cute way too. I love the patio and all the seating/lighting that they have. Food is good, but I would say it's more of a snack vibe and not stuff you would get for a full meal. I would actually love if they offered meals with bigger portions as the chef is great here. The drinks are good and are a strong pour, which is great for the money!! I would say this place is sort of pricey, so I can only really afford to come here on special occasions, but I...