Little Fox — Restaurant in St. Louis

It's been a little over 6 months since we last dined at the Little Fox, and I'm very sorry to report that they have drastically changed for the worse. Now it makes sense why we were able to get a reservation with very little notice. It's just surprising how a restaurant that started out so wonderfully could have gone downhill so quickly??

Upon arrival, we immediately noticed a difference in ambience. What was a lively restaurant bustling with cheerful, upbeat servers was replaced by a dark and somber diner. One of the best impressions from our previous experience was the awesome energy that radiated from the open kitchen. The chefs/cooks were clearly happy and excited to be there, and the servers were proud of what they represent. None of that existed tonight. Even our server was silent and solemn. One has to wonder what happened here??

Then, there's the food. Just like before, we each ordered a glass of wine, 3 small plates to share and two entrees. The first thing we noticed was the wine selection has gone downhill. While I'm no wine aficionado, I've been around the proverbial block enough to know that the list was disappointing at best. My husband even commented that the wines looked like something out of a novice kitchen.. As if someone made their own kitchen wine and slapped on a cheap label.

Next came the small plates. They were ok - nothing to write home about. Again, very different from our initial experience. However, the biggest disappointment was our entrees. We both ordered the cod per our server's recommendation, which replaced the wonderful Arctic char from before. We were shocked to find that the veggies were cold. Not lukewarm. Cold. The cod fillets were horribly undercooked. Both were translucent and rubbery, not flaky and white as cod customarily comes. We quietly shared this with the server who did apologize and promptly sent our orders back. After some time, 2 new dishes of cod came back. While the flavor was mediocre, the temperature was perfect, and the cod was properly cooked. In lieu of the subpar meal, we elected to forgo the dessert and asked for the check.

While we don't need compensation for our undercooked and delayed entrees, I expected at least a gesture from such an establishment. Nothing. Not even an apology from the management. We were appalled. We paid and promptly left.. and agreed we will never return. It is truly sad to see a gem like that go by the wayside. I hope the owners read this review and are able to turn things around. I can't imagine that such a place will last too much longer without a serious about face, especially given the dining options abound in the Lou. So...

Went to Little Fox during their soft opening. The place is great. Their food is nice, and priced accordingly without being overpriced. The half of the restaurant with the bar is open seating every night which keeps the neighborhood feel while the other half is reservation only which keeps the upscale vibe.

Food: The menu is organized by size of plate, which I can appreciate. All plates are meant to be shared, even the large plates. We got two small plates and a snack plate. It was a good amount for a small meal, but I probably could've used a little more. Our first dish (not pictured) was Crispy Artichokes. They were perfectly fried without excessive breading. The accompanying sauce was dill and yogurt based. It balanced the pickled flavor of the artichokes well. The second dish was a Brussel Sprout and Kale Salad. The greens were fresh and not aggressively dressed. There were pomegranate arils to balance the bitter greens with some sour flavor. The shaved cheese on top added a nice salty finish while some mint mixed in gave the salad some more herbal notes. The third dish we had was a Stracciatella (I didn't know what this meant, lol). It was a base of mashed butternut squash topped with ricotta, shaved roe (bottarga), and micro greens served with sourdough toast. The squash had a nice sweetness, that the creamy ricotta mellowed out. The bottarga added a salty umami that rounded out the dish. I would've liked more micro greens, I didn't get a whole lot from them. The sourdough was great, though. I really liked the way the burnt bits added to the dish. And the crispiness of the bread added a great textural difference.

Ambiance: I'm normally not much of one for caring about anything beyond the food (I would eat good food in the gutter if you sold it to me). But Little Fox has nailed the feel at their restaurant. The aesthetic is sort of cozy and modern. It strikes a really good balance between upscale and neighborhood.

Service: The service was great! Granted, there weren't many others in the restaurant at the time, but the service was incredibly friendly and attentive. The staff is there to make you feel comfortable and enjoy your meal.

Drinks: They have complimentary bubbly water and their sparkling and still waters are both specially filtered. We didn't get any alcohol, but they have an extensive wine list and seem source them very responsibly. The cocktails (I'm sorry the pic sucks) look creative without being flashy and...

Our party of six checked out the newest addition to the neighborhood-- a corner bistro across from Fox Park.

Vibe: The space is small(er) but they make use of every inch, and it feels cozy without feeling cramped. You'll love the light wood finishes and exposed brick, directional lighting and wall of windows to the outdoor patio. This is a perfect place to show off STL!

Food: So we tested out many of the snacks and liked them all! The chickpeas are surprisingly delicious, this could definitely be a complimentary bite that everyone would enjoy. Midwesterners love bread and butter service, this would be a classy replacement for that. The fingerling potatoes are served with a delicious sauce. Olives, pretty standard black and green doctored up nicely. Unless you have a craving spend your $5 on other delicious items, I'd recommend the cocktail menu!

Entrees were large and filling. I had the ironsteak and it was incredible--you're going to love every buttery bite! And the pork steak is a monster, almost too much for one person to eat! The gnocchi was creamy, cooked perfectly, but needed a little salt and felt like it was missing the perfect something to take it up a notch.

Thee onion soup, served with bone in center of bowl, appeared to be a crowd favorite on the cold day we visited. And... speaking of cold. The tables all being close to the door, the temps were pretty chilly-- I ordered a tea and used my coat at times. It wasn't bad, but if you're cold natured, take note.

I'm confident the crew here will have any kinks in service or experience worked out in short order, they are just now getting up and running! And we couldn't be happier to have them in the...