Fleur STL — Restaurant in St. Louis

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Fleur STL, and let me tell you, it is an absolute culinary gem! From the moment I stepped foot into this delightful little establishment, I was blown away by the incredible, cohesive, and delicious dishes that awaited us.

Each plate that graced us was beautifully prepared, exuding a level of artistry that made it almost too beautiful to eat. And yet, once I took that first bite, I was transported to a world of unmatched flavors and textures. It was evident that every ingredient had been expertly combined to create dishes that were not only visually stunning but also incredibly satisfying to the palate.

One of the most impressive aspects of Fleur STL is the owner's ability to create recipes on the fly. His culinary skills are absolutely astounding, and his passion for creating amazing food shines through with every dish. It was a true privilege to witness the cooking and preparation process firsthand, thanks to the open setup of the restaurant. This unique feature provided an immersive dining experience, where we could watch the magic unfold before our eyes.

During my visit, I was so enthralled by the incredible fare that I ended up dining at Fleur STL two days in a row. Between both visit, we made it a point to try almost the entire current menu and I can honestly say that there wasn't a single dish that disappointed. From the perfectly cooked proteins to the intricately balanced flavors, it was clear that Fleur STL could do no wrong.

The staff at Fleur STL also deserves special recognition for their exceptional friendliness and personable nature. Their warm welcome and attentive service added to the overall enjoyment of the dining experience. It was evident that they took pride in ensuring that every guest felt truly valued and cared for.

In conclusion, Fleur STL is an absolute must-try for any food lover. The incredible, cohesive, and delicious dishes, along with the equally impressive cocktails, make for an unforgettable culinary journey. The owner's ability to conjure up incredible recipes on the fly is awe-inspiring, showcasing his remarkable skills and love for creating amazing food. With its unique setup allowing guests to witness the cooking and preparation process, Fleur STL offers an experience that is truly a cut above the rest. I wholeheartedly give this establishment a resounding 10/10 rating—I guarantee you won't be...

I’ve lived in Saint Louis for 1.5 years in the Soulard / Benton Park area. It’s very common for my neighbors and I to frequent the cafes, diners, and delis in our area, many of us visit religiously/daily.

& in the 1.5 I’ve been here, I’ve never received such poor treatment as I did at this place.

I’ve worked in fine dining for the last 15 years, so I’m very patient, attentive, & sensitive to the wait staff & busyness. This particularly experience was something quite different.

We came around 11am on a Saturday, which made me even more patient b/c I understand the crowd.

We walked in, 4 guys behind the counter & not 1 of them greeted or acknowledged us. We waited by the door since there weren’t 2 seats together at the counter.

After about 5 minutes, a nice couple volunteered to move down, so we could sit together at the counter. (Still no greeting or acknowledgment that anyone has even entered).

They pay out & another couple pays out (which means a server came over) & stood right in front of us.

He processed payments, removed soiled dishes, but still sternly refused to acknowledge us or even offer water or menus.

After 10 minutes of just sitting there, it was jarring & apparent we wouldn’t likely be served.

Another pair walked in & received the exact same treatment. After nearly 20 minutes & trying to be understanding of their circumstances (which most people won’t attempt to do), we decided that we didn’t want to support an establishment that operates like this.

I’m unsure if it’s because they guys who operate the grill aren’t required to greet, offer water, or assist the server… but he clearly needed it and the lack of cohesion was blatant. It was like everyone was working at a separate place and pace.

For the future, I would highly recommend more training, more staffing, and a kinder approach to patrons who just want to support your business.

I would also not recommend this...

I will preface this by saying that, if this review were solely concerning the food, it would be 5 stars. The fries and espresso martini were both delicious, and my girlfriend enjoyed her slinger as well. The burger was likely the best I've had in St. Louis.

That said, the seating is extremely frustrating. There are about 10 seats, diner-style, in the entire establishment, and it's first-come-first-serve, so I would not recommend coming in a group of more than two people. Also, the seats are extremely close together, and you basically rub shoulders with the other patrons for the entirety of your meal. It was difficult to maintain a separate conversation with how close everyone was, and the whole thing felt extremely claustrophobic.

In addition, there is very clearly a clique of regulars who come in and receive much better service than what you can expect as a first-time diner. We waited forever for our drink orders to be taken, all while seeing patrons who were clearly familiar to our waiter chatting it up with him about their drink orders.

The purpose, if there were one, of having this tiny of an establishment would be to treat each of your guests to a higher level of individual service and attention than one could expect at a more mass-order place. That was not the case here; the wait times were slow and the service was impersonal.

If, in the future, Fleur decides to expand to a location that accommodates typical restaurant seating, I would happily return, as the food was...