Madrina — Restaurant in Webster Groves

We went to a Christmas party at this restaurant last year and it was lovely. We couldn't wait to go back. We went for my birthday a week later it was ok, not amazing like the party.

Tonight we decided to try it again. As we were walking in we saw a flyer that their sommelier received the James Beard award. Very cool. This person ended up being our server, her name is Alicia. We were warm and congratulatory to her. She told us they had a new chef from the last time we were there. When she heard I couldn't drink wine, and only my husband, her demeanor turned snobbish. She was never at any point warm or kind or pleasant in any way.

We started with the Calamari. There was a little bit of calamari in there but it was mostly fennel and artichokes(we don't really like the latter). The sauce was wonderful.

CALAMARI FRITTI Crisp lightly battered calamari, artichokes, fennel, buttermilk herb dressing GF $23

We declined salads and she asked us if we wanted bread service before our entrees. We said sure. I've never been charged for it before but let's be honest, it was the best part of the evening. Don't skip the bread if you go.

HOUSE-MADE BREAD Sicilian bread, focaccia, ricotta, mostarda, roasted garlic butter $10

My husband and I were going to get the porterhouse steak to share. It was out and we chose to get T bone steaks instead. My daughter got Veal Parmigiana and it was beautiful and delicious.

When my steak with potatoes arrived it was beautiful! I took a picture. I took 3 bites and found the steak and potatoes very very bland, like unseasoned. The server did stop by and ask my husband if he would like the horseradish sauce we had discussed earlier. We responded affirmatively. It never arrived. I couldn't even ask for salt and pepper because she was completely absent. Visiting other tables around us but just not visiting ours. I waited at least 30 minutes but no server.

While we ate our disappointing appetizer we heard her tell a nearby table the desserts. They sounded divine. We were for sure staying for dessert even if we didn't finish our steak and had to take it home.

I left a 10% tip and requested it went to the busboy. We eat out at nice restaurants a decent amount. And we are willing to pay for a very nice meal.

Sadly, we won't be returning. We left $312 poorer. And before someone asks why we didn't speak up my husband would be uncomfortable so I chose to leave a message on the bill and leave a fair and balanced review when we get home.

I would hate for anyone to waste their time and money on a night out that was such a sad waste.

Please see the pictures of my beautiful steak when it arrived. I waited over 30 minutes for salt, not that I even got a chance to ask for it be for a guy came to wrap up my food. Unfortunately my husband ate the majority of his steak which he found poorly seasoned and quite chewy. He said he thinks he might have gotten a better steak at Golden Corral, not that we have been there.

The busboy was awesome. The ambiance with the open doors and amazing...

I often question reviews that are overly-glowing and specific, and I found quite a few here to be suspect. I recommend relying on the numerous reviews that it's an ok restaurant. This is considered fine dining, and they charge like it, so I expect something better than Outback. Madrina, if you expect a lot from the customer, the customer should expect a lot from you. For this review, keep in mind that four of us spent over $100 each, so the bang for the buck element must always be present. Four of us went on a slow weeknight and the entire experience was ok, which for the money, is not ok.

First, why so dark? And if you want it that dark Madrina, make the food/wine menu font larger. Most of your clientele doesn't have the eyesight of a 30 yr old. Sure the small table accent light brightness is adjustable, but what are we to do, pass the light around the table so each can read from both menus? And is it fine dining if we must use our phone flashlight? A sommelier was supposedly there, but when didn't see him/her. Rather, the waiter discussed the various wine options. Ok, then why tell us about a sommelier on site?

As for the dining experience, one couple received a bottle of wine immediately, but after 10 minutes of waiting, the other had to ask for the bottle. Again, it was a slow night. Mayfair salad was wilty, but House on the Hill salad was considered a highlight. Mussells alla crema was gritty with little meat, and a cold/watery crema. I thought of getting the hanger steak, but figured since it's an upscale restaurant, I'd spend the extra $20 and get the rib eye for a great steak. My error. I ordered it MR, but it arrived inconsistently cooked (from MR to WD). It was pre-cut, which only cools and dries out the meat. It's not a porterhouse that is shared, but a steak for one. Pre-cut was unnecessary and only made for a worse experience. Polenta was ok, but all enjoyed the pistachio pesto. Halibut and Maiale (pork) were both considered good, but again, you expect better than good.

For dessert we shared cannolis; two got coffees, and one a cocktail. Problem is, nothing arrived at the same time. Cannolis arrived first, then after 10 minutes the two coffees arrived, and then 5 minutes later the cocktail. What a poor closure on what the four of us expected to be a special night of fine dining. Next time won't be Outback, but it also...

Made a reservation here for a date night. The decor and the atmosphere were perfect. Lighting was a little low but it added to the overall feel for the restaurant. We enjoyed the rat pack style music and it wasnt too loud or overwhelming.

The service was phenomenal! We enjoyed having Ashanti as a server. She was very attentive and nice. My date was going through water very fast but there was always someone there to promptly refill the glass, along with remove empty dishes. Everyone was welcoming.

I had a Hugo Spritz and my date had a Negroni. Both were solid and delicious.

The food is where the evening fell short. We had three appetizers - arncini, oysters and bread spread. The arncini did not disappoint - flavorful and perfectly cooked. The bread spread was ok - the focaccia was good enough to eat on it's own but the Sicilian bread was over toasted and not that great, even with the spreads. The spreads included garlic butter (lacking in actual garlic), whipped ricotta, and mustarda. The oysters, according to my date, where over cooked and tiny - tasted burnt.

For the main dishes, we had the Cappellaci pasta and the veal parmigiano. Both dishes lacked flavor overall. The cappellaci was very bland, no flavor at all, except for the crab meat. I wanted to ask for additional chili dust to flavor it up a bit. I did ask for parmesean cheese to give it some additional flavor. I'm not a salt person, but that dish could have definitely used a dash of salt or some type of additional flavoring. The sauce in the dish was more watery, then creamy.

According to my date, the veal was fine. It was one of the only good parts of the meal, outside the arncini. However it was served with pasta that had no taste or sauce on it - I assume because you're supposed to eat it with the veal but he didnt end up touching it.

We were so disappointed in the food that we opted out of doing dessert. We expected better quality for the prices. The only saving grace for the evening was the great service and...