The Royale Food & Spirits — Restaurant in St. Louis

We arrived in town really late on a Saturday night and we were really excited to try the food here. We had missed on the website were it says they only serve food until 10pm, which it totally says on there, we just missed it. Heather was so welcoming that we decided to stay for a drink. She suggested the Goat Chips with Curry Dipping Sauce as a snack option available at that time of night. She also gave us a number of other recommendations in the area where we may be able to grab some food that late. She was so fantastic at mixing drinks and had such a an awesome personality, that we ended up just staying there and having several drinks and a few baskets of Chips with the fancy Curry Sauce. That sauce is magic. The next day we decided that it was such a great time the night before and the menu was so intriguing that we would go for lunch. Heather was there again showing her amazing skills at drink mixing. We ordered the Beet Reuben, Jack Fruit Tacos, and Spinach Mushroom Pakoras, along with many more drinks. Everything was amazing. The Pakoras are on the Specials menu and I really hope they move them to the regular menu as they were absolutely delightful. I giggled with joy with every bite. So we clearly had to order more of those too. The atmosphere was fun, inviting, and creatively stimulating. With the great music playing, awesome artwork on the walls by Dana Smith, delicious food and drinks, and overall awesomeness of the place, I am happy to say we have a new favorite place in St. Louis. We have also named Heather our favorite Bartender...

Waiting tables requires demeanor and skill. I've been there and I've made some bank doing that. I've been supporting the Royal since Steve opened it but have been reluctant to go back since 2014. This was due to the limited menu, the manner in which it is served, and mostly, the wait staff. If you're greeting customers with a hard stare, the inability to make eye contact, lack the understanding that you need to raise your voice to be heard over bar noise, a lack of focus on your work, asking twice about everything ordered, this isn't the gig for you.

But I did return recently with a friend who wanted to treat me. The server didn't introduce himself so I wasn't sure who was hanging at the table. Luckily, I'm intuitive. I gave him my order twice after he blanked the fist time. The soup was served cooler than tepid in a bowl that was literally smaller than 8 ounces. More like four. I was quite hungry so I ate it. The server never once returned to ask about anything at the table even though we waved for him. We waved a few times to reorder drinks from the inattentive server.

When I mentioned the cool soup to the owner - an old acquaintance - I was told the soup was great when it was warm (I wouldn't know) , that he didn't make any money of selling food at his bar, that he was willing to offer me half of the dish, and that I was welcome to write a review about my experience.

And that indifference is reflected...

Tap handles always offer a variety of styles and a nice mix of local, American and international breweries. Cocktail menu is legit, unique flavor blends, plus new twists on old classics. You wont find one of those nasty fruit caddy trays with the fake bar cherries here, all garnishes and syrups are freshly grown and made. Food isn't over the top fancy, but it is fresh and delicious, the hummus is amazing in its simplicity, never had an entree I didnt like. Staff is awkwardly quiet for a tavern-esque spot with politically aligned decor representing some major players in the abolishment of slavery, the civil rights movement, some other noteworthy liberal leaders and a few randoms. Plus, they feature artwork from a new artist on a rotating basis in the dining area which is cool and they have a pretty badass 3(and a half?lol) season beergarden outback that's pretty decent size. All staff do, however, know their beer and food menu thoroughly, bartenders are super knowledgeable about the craft selection being carried at any given time and will let you sample most of the handles before you buy if you're uncertain of your choice. This place is awesome, if you live anywhere within walking distance and this place isn't your local joint yet, then you must be gettin it all made free somewhere else, cause you're not gettin it...