Crafted — Restaurant in St. Louis

We came in for brunch and unfortunately had a disappointing experience. When we arrived, two employees walked past the hostess stand several times before anyone acknowledged us. It took over five minutes just to be greeted.

Once seated, we were told that the brunch menu was the only menu being served and that “if you choose something from any other menu, I can’t help you.” The comment came from a male server, and we weren’t sure if it was meant to be dry humor or just rudeness, but it definitely set the wrong tone. We let it go and reviewed the menu.

We ordered the biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles (gluten-free), Thai chili wings, and a side of potatoes. While waiting, we noticed the table next to us being served lunch items despite being told only brunch was available. The restaurant began to clear out by the time our food arrived, and everything (including the wings) was brought out at once. Unfortunately, the temperature of the food reflected that it had been sitting: the chicken and waffles were cold, the biscuits and gravy were lukewarm, and only the wings were decently warm (and honestly, the best part of the meal). The potatoes came out late, and we had to ask for utensils after the food had already been served.

We also ordered mimosas, but they were served warm. One bright spot of the experience was the atmosphere. DJ Jonny Oz was spinning vinyl records during brunch, and that added a really nice vibe to the space. Once we finished eating, it took quite a while for our server to return even though it was clear we were done. We watched her leaning at the bar, eating tacos, before she came over to ask if we were ready for the check. She cleared our plates, served a few other tables, then went back to the bar and continued eating before finally bringing our bill, all within just a few feet of our table.

To be fair, outside of that, our server was pleasant and friendly when she did interact with us, unlike the male server who made the comment about the menu.

Overall, I left disappointed. As someone diagnosed with Celiac disease, I had high hopes for this place after seeing it recommended so often in the Gluten-Free STL Facebook group. The wings and the music were definite highlights, and I’m open to giving it another try because I understand every restaurant can have an off day, but this experience was truly underwhelming and left both my boyfriend and me regretting our decision...

My husband, mom, and I stopped in last night after the Bob Seger concert for some late night snacks and drinks. We had heard they served drinks with CBD and wanted to check it out. Walk in, they only have high tables, and it's relatively full-time we were told to pick any table. When the waitress came over we were told the kitchen closes in 13 minutes and she left us with he menus. We made some quick decisions and ordered. Jason asked about the drinks, they have 5 or 6 flavored CBD add-in the are $2/ea and 5 drops. You can add them to any mixed drinks. I ordered the Honey Bear Smash Pressed Cocktail, Jason ordered the Red Pearl Press. Mom first wanted bottle water, then coke-in a can, LOL. BOTH A NO-GO. So she ordered a shot of Tequila... The first brand she ordered was out and then she said she didn't like the taste of the second. The pressed cocktails were pretty cool, they come in a little press that you do yourself. You can see the sliced ingredients and the liquid mixing and changing colors. Then you pour it into a glass they bring out. You can definitely taste the CBD in it-I had Vanilla flavor and it shows at the top of the drink. While drinking our drinks our food came out. I ordered buffalo cauliflower, came with ranch and more buffalo sauce and sweet potato fries. The cauliflower was delicious, perfectly spicy! Even Jason was saying how good they were. The sweet potato fries were good, but there were a some that could have friend a bit longer. My mom ordered the soup and salad; tomato bisque and house salad with a sweet vinegar dressing (I think). She said both we're good and she didn't have any remaining when we left. Jason ordered a burger with ghost pepper cheese (I forgot he got that cheese and took a bite, MISTAKE, it's SOO HOT!! I don't know how Jason ate it!!) and it came with fries. The fries were crispy and the burger was really good- just HOT! Overall it was a good time, we had good food, drinks, and company. But our waitress took a while to warm up and be 'friendly'... It could have been because we walked in at 11:47. Oh I meant to add, our food came out at like 12:13, pretty quick, and the presentation looked nice, not...

Speaking to the owner here: We're neighbors and REALLY want your place to be good, but we've tried it 3 times and the score is the score. The service, and to a lesser degree, the food have been disappointing each time. Though friendly, the front-of-house staff needs serious training. Asked if you had Belvedere. Server looked confused and asked the bartender if they had something called Velvet Deer. Kinda funny, but sets a tone, right? Bartender shakes my wife's martini and server brings it to the table without my draft beer. I get up 2-3 minutes later expecting to find it sitting on the bar, but bartender says "Oh, I haven't made it yet." (sigh) I ask the server what the burger-of-the-month is. She has no idea. She doesn't come back to see if we'd like another round. Ask for the check twice, finally flag her down and am relieved/confused that the tablet/credit card thing she carries around takes care of it at the table. She prints out 2 receipts - one of which we have to sign. And right on cue, she doesn't have a pen. Leaves, and we never see her again. After waiting, and literally chuckling at this point, we get up to go find a pen at the bar. Hire a consultant for a half-day or take 'em on a field trip somewhere with great service, please. They're not lazy, they're not unfriendly, they're just unprepared to do a good job. And while I'm at it, the cold bun sucked all the joy out of what was otherwise a fun burger. Toast it a bit, singe it w/ butter or some of your good garlic-parm stuff, maybe? PLEASE level up and we'll be regulars and tell our friends...