Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar — Restaurant in St. Louis

I originally gave two stars, but the more I look at my credit card bill for well over $100 per person (including one drink each), the more I feel I simply did not get my money's worth, and had an unpleasant experience to boot. My expectations were justifiably high, yet were far from being met. Lest ye object, all things considered, I think one star is proper.

I will not go back, for three reasons.

First, I have no objections paying premium prices, but for that, I expect premium quality. The food at Hamilton's is certainly good, but far from great or premium. Based on other steakhouses in STL, both chains and independents, I would value my $55 steak at around $30-35, based on quality, texture, and flavor. The $8 baked potato was "meh". The charcuterie board was nice, with the exception of the bread...more on that in a moment. $30 for vegetarian lasagna? It had better be amazing, especially since you can get AWESOME lasagna on the Hill for maybe half that. One of my fellow diners ordered the $30 salmon. If he got 6 oz. of salmon, that would be generous. It looked tasty (he said it was), but that seems extravagant for a tiny filet.

Second, it seemed our server (Keith) did not really want to be there. When he brought out our charcuterie board, we asked for more bread pieces since the amount of bread on the board was woefully inadequate for all the other items. He said he would bring out more bread, then promptly forgot. OK, that happens. But, when we reminded him about it, he blamed the kitchen staff saying they forgot to put bread in the oven. I find that extraordinarily difficult to believe, but if he was being honest, that is a serious indictment as to the quality and professionalism of the kitchen staff. Either way, it's not good.

Finally, the restaurant is small. Not a problem, per se. Unfortunately, on the evening we dined, there was a large party behind us celebrating a birthday. The group was on the loud side until they brought out the birthday cake. Their raucousness dialed up to an "11". Three different versions of "Happy Birthday", each one louder and wilder than the last. A lot of noise made manifestly worse by the small size of the restaurant. That alone ruined the evening for me. The fact management allows such behavior in a small space is completely unacceptable. Even if the food and service was excellent, this alone would be reason enough for me to never return. You might ask why I didn't say something to management at the time. Clearly, the management was aware of the behavior (I'm sure the kitchen heard it) and chose to do nothing about it. Not even an apology to the other guests from the wait staff. The restaurant got their money...end of story.

Bottom line: there are many, many excellent restaurants in the STL area. (In fact, there is a wonderful restaurant just down Mississippi Avenue, a five minute walk from Hamilton's. I've been there MANY times and have never been disappointed.) Point is, you don't need to settle for OK food, poor service, and raucous diners, and pay a premium. If you want that kind of experience, might I...

In keeping with the custom, as it is my last night in St. Louis, I went out in search of the best steak in the city and possibly a "Top 10 Steakhouse". Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse lived up to its recommendation. The service was great, the food overall was very good, and as usual, I had a great time with some of my favorite colleagues.

The atmosphere was fun and comfortable. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The fresh bread was light, delicate, and delicious. We started off with the charcuterie board, which was great and perfect for four people to share. The bacon fat candle was a fun and creative touch.

The waiter suggested I order the Caesar salad rather than the lobster bisque. The salad was good and met (but did not at all exceed) my expectations.

Typically for my first visit to any steakhouse I order the NY Strip. Here they have a 12oz KC strip, which I think typically has a bone, but here it did not. I think they decide to call it a KC strip because all their meat is Midwest sourced (from 9 family owned farms in Iowa). The steak was very good. I liked the crust on the top of the steak, but it seemed to lack any on the bottom. It seems that the steak was not perfectly cooked evenly, but overall it was the correct temperature. For the most part I liked the seasoning, but at one point there was a too strong flavor which I think was caraway. Perhaps this is part of their "KC" steak seasoning style and I had a piece that was overseasoned with this spice mix. Some might think I am overly critical of the steak, but in search of the best steakhouses and the exclusive "Top 10 Steakhouses", I must be critical. However, I want to make clear that overall the steak was very good and I think the price was very fair. I would gladly return here and have this steak again or try another cut, like the ribeye.

The sides however fell short of excellent. I had a loaded baked potato which was only moderately loaded and was a little burnt on the bottom. Still tasted good and was satisfying, but not quite at the level of other top tier steakhouses. Most disappointingly was the macaroni and cheese, which tasted like noodles and velveta under some melted cheddar. It wasn't bad (believe me, I've had bad mac and cheese at many restaurants) but there was nothing special or impressive about it. Unless you're ordering it for a child, you should probably skip it. Lastly, we shared the bread pudding for dessert, which was very good, although I felt that the bourbon flavor in the sauce was a little overpowering.

This is a very good restaurant with a very good steak not far from downtown St. Louis. I would gladly return here and encourage others to try this restaurant as well. But it falls short of being a "Top 10 Steakhouse", reserved only for those places that are perfect...

Review for Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar 🥩🥃 Address: 2101 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - "Good"

Tucked away on Chouteau Avenue, Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar offers a unique blend of rustic charm and culinary finesse, creating an atmosphere that's as welcoming as it is refined.

Service 🙋‍♂️ Our server, a congenial bald-ish gentleman of average stature, was a highlight of our experience. His attentive and courteous demeanor shone, ensuring our needs were not just met but anticipated with a kind of intuitive grace. His presence was like a gentle guide through our culinary journey, always there but never intrusive. The only ripple in this otherwise smooth sail was the ninja-like water service, a peculiar ballet of surprise refills executed with an almost stealthy precision. Unusual, yes, but it certainly added a quirky charm to the evening.

Decor 🌲🔥 Imagine stepping into a romantic, rustic cabin — dim lighting casting a warm glow over rich, wooden textures, creating a cocoon of coziness that feels both luxurious and intimately homey. Hamilton's decor strikes a delightful balance between a hunter's lodge and a chic, upscale dining space. Every element, from the crackling fireplace to the carefully chosen adornments, tells a story of elegance married with earthiness, a perfect backdrop for a steakhouse of this caliber.

Food 🍽️🥩 The culinary offerings at Hamilton's mirror the ambiance — high-quality, yet not quite reaching the zenith of gastronomic nirvana. Each dish, meticulously prepared, delivers on its promise of quality and flavor. The steaks, the cornerstone of any great steakhouse, are cooked with a mastery that respects the cut and the palate. While it may not compel a sprint home to rave about its wonders, the food leaves you nestled in a satisfied contentment, where every bite is a reaffirmation of "goodness" rather than a revelation.

In Retrospect 🤔 Hamilton's Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar stands as a testament to the beauty of subtlety and the allure of rustic charm blended with culinary competence. It's a place where the food, service, and setting coalesce to create an experience that's gratifying in its consistency and comfort.

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - "Good" "A Rustic Rendezvous Where Simplicity Meets Sophistication."

Hamilton's may not be the culinary juggernaut that leaves patrons in awe, but it certainly is a haven where one can enjoy quality food, heartwarming service, and an ambiance that whispers tales of the forest and the fire. It's a reminder that sometimes, 'good' is not just good enough, it's just...