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Robust Wine Bar & Cafe
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants American (New) Wine Bars, American (New) [Edit]
227 W Lockwood AveSt Louis, MO 63119
Neighborhood: Webster Groves
(314) 963-0033
- Nearest Transit:
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W Lockwood Ave @ Jefferson Rd (56, 59)
W Lockwood Ave @ N Rock Hill Rd (56)
Rock Hill Loop (56, 59)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 10 am - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
76 reviews for Robust Wine Bar & Cafe
Review Highlights
"Dark chocolate bread pudding: To die for."
(in 11 reviews)
"...good but we will definitely try the small plates next time."
(in 13 reviews)
"The red wine flights and pear flatbread are AWESOME."
(in 19 reviews)
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76 reviews in English
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Review from Bill K.
Saint Louis, MO
2/3/2012
I have to say, I am in LOVE with Robust. If you want sour grapes, not wine, read no further. Full disclosure, I go to Robust all the time. Of course I'm going to give one of my favorite places a great review!
Very fine wines, all available either at the table or at a lower takeout price by the bottle. They also have a pretty good choice of beers and other drinks... but come on, it's a wine bar. It's a little odd to insist on drinking Bud Light or whatever. Live a little. Try a wine flight, or dare to be there for a tasting event. Wine should be fun and drinking it should be a pleasant, casual experience.
There are a range of prices, and wine by the glass can be ordered in 3 and 6 ounce sizes as well as various interesting flights n smaller glasses. If you really want to get your drank on, just get a bottle and don't fuss about which pour you want.
The food is perfect for a nice, long chatty afternoon, or even a dinner. Lots of little nibbly items, cheese plates, etc. I never had anything I didn't love. It's not Old Country Buffet, so don't plan on ordering one item and waddling out stuffed to the gills. Most everything is a compact portion - it's largely a tasting menu.
The owner, Stanley, is almost always there making sure everyone's taken care of. Not much need, though, because the servers, at least all those I've met, do a stellar job. They wear shirts with adjectives taken from the wine list: Robust, Luscious, Generous, and even Bubbles. Cute stuff.
Every time I go to Robust, I enjoy the heck out of it and think "I really need to cmoe here more often!" That's enough for five stars right there. -
Review from Kristin E.
Saint Louis, MO
12/30/2011
My 2012 resolution: Trying to write more yelp reviews for the many places I go about town. So it begins..
I've been to Robust at least 10 times so I feel like I have a good handle on it and can give a reasonable review.
They have a great selection of wines to choose from and the wine flights are the highlight for sure. It just seems like their pours are cheap for a $12 glass or more! Maybe that's the wine-o in me, but I expect a good value if I'm paying that much for one glass (not even a bottle). :)
There is a nice selection of small plates and cheeses. I usually get some type of brie and that's good for me.
The service is attentive and the atmosphere is unpretentious and cozy. There is also a cute little wine shop in the back where you can purchase bottles of wine to go.
I recently tried some of their new cocktails: the sidecar and one with sparkling wine and a hibiscus flower. Both, very satisfying.
I went there last night and we had only 2 cocktails, a wine flight, and two cheeses and our bill was $70!!! Yikes!
Don't get me wrong, I like Robust. Overall, it's just not a good value. -
Review from Aimee K.
So, just going to be honest here and admit that I'm pretty sure I ordered half of the menu at Robust last night. I was with a girlfriend of mine so I didn't do the damage all alone, but I'm not sure what happened... Just couldn't stop picking things out and ordering them! I love when a wine bar has food that surprises you with its high quality and creativity... Robust does just that.
For cocktails, I had the "champagne cocktail" and my friend had the "fall cooler" and both were so good. Mine had champagne, a sugar cube, and bitters, and hers tasted apple and cinnamon-y without being too sweet. This was my first time not getting wine at Robust so I'm happy to report that the cocktails are just as good as the wine flights!
Here's a quick rundown on what we ordered:
Purple Haze plate: Fresh Goat's milk cheese from Cypress Grove in CA, flavored with wild Fennel pollen and lavender. So good! Comes with toasted bread, dried fruit and nuts. Majorly addicting for the goat cheese lover.
Spinach and Three Cheese Spread: Spinach, roasted artichokes, cream cheese, mozzarella and parmesan cheese with housemade crostini. As good as it sounds, and much better than the usual. So creamy and huge chunks of artichokes!
Spanish Meatballs: Meatballs in a manchego cheese sauce with julienned vegetables. Quite possibly my favorite dish all night... the crunchy vegetables compliment the meatballs so much. And that sauce, omg...
Mushroom Risotto (that's not the actual name but the website isn't updated and guess who didn't take notes...): This was pretty good, lots of mushrooms and truffle oil, cheese, and carrot puree. I would maybe order it again but it needed a lot of salt. Texture was great though. Maybe just add more cheese?
Sea Bass: Was good, again, but needed salt as well. I wasn't the biggest fan of this one.
Service, as always, was fantastic... and I love that Robust gets busy on a Monday night. It's such a fun place to grab dinner, drinks, or both and always seems to be worth the price tag. Can't wait to go back for that bright whites flight again!Listed in: If You Love It So Much..., Best Wine Evar, Little Black Dress, Webster Groves Must-Sees
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2011
Celebrating my birthday yesterday, it seemed only appropriate that I go for a glass of wine at 2:00… Read more »
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Review from Nancy N.
Saint Louis, MO
2/4/2012
Some real "foodie" friends of our picked Robust for a get-together, so I went in not knowing what to expect.
At first I felt disappointed - intimidated by the huge wine selection and slighted by the small food menu.
But we ended up loving it. We also had the Leitz that another reviewer mentioned and it was wonderful, not too sweet but very smooth. And our food was positively fabulous. Our roasted red pepper hummus appetizer was out of this world - I'm a big hummus fan and this was the best I've tasted. Entrees were good too, but overshadowed by the pumpkin gooey butter cake dessert - a much more sophisticated cousin of the St Louis classic.
The portions were on the small side, but honestly that's a refreshing plus. So many places super-size your plate so you either can't finish it or have to roll out of the restaurant. Smaller portions encourage you to savor the tastes -- and these were well worth savoring. -
Review from Tracy B.
Chicago, IL
2/2/2012
I thought this place was ok. Our waiter was knowledgeable and he was full of great recommendations. We had 2 glasses of wine, 1 cheese, and 2 small plates. The wine and cheese were great. Our one small plate was mushroom risotto and the other was scallops with a different type of risotto under it. The mushroom risotto was good and the scallops were great, but the risotto under the scallops was awful. It was so sweet it was almost in-edible.
The other thing that threw me off was the ambiance. We were in a little side area with high bar tables. The restaurant also sells wine and wine accessories, and we were literally surrounded by boxes of wine and other random stuff for sale. I almost felt like I was sitting in a storage space. It was also very bright in this area, which is weird for a wine bar. I wouldn't go back unless I was guaranteed a table away from the retail area.
Another comment about the waiter. He was very knowledgeable about the wine list, but I can certainly see how some people would find his "expertise" a bit arrogant. I think a lot of people come in to wine bars knowing nothing, and a little nervous about asking a lot of questions. It was really just one comment that I thought was a bit off. My husband asked if they had a certain type of wine, and he said, sorry we don't serve that by the glass. So he ordered something else, and almost as if my husband knew nothing about what he ordered, he said, oh, so we are going with the exact opposite of what you were first going to order. I just thought it was an odd comment, and I can totally see how people have given that some bad marks for their waiters being a bit rude.
All in all, if you're interested in going to a wine bar, head downtown to Bridge. This place is amazing, the prices are similar, and the service has always been great. I promise, I don't work there. -
Review from Chrissie C.
Saint Louis, MO
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Robust is my favorite place in Webster Groves! I was there for opening day way back in the day, and it won my heart then.
The owner Stanley is just wonderful, and always has a smile on his face. His staff is always knowledgeable and great at pairing wines with the food they serve.
I always enjoy their rotating menu which changes with the seasons. However I always get a cheese and meat plate and along with a Flight of their Wonderful Reds.
They also have great events throughout the months - tastings, music, happy hours and discounts on Flights.
This is a MUST wine bar - whether you are a new comer to the world of wine or a educator. -
Review from Pamela R.
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Robust Wine Bar is robust with all things tasty and awesome. Dig in to their cheese plate and hummus plate. Nice snacky snack to start off the evening and very compatible with the happy hour chardonnay. I haven't had a chance to try their menu items yet but guess who will be taking trip back to correct that oversight? I also tried the selections of ciders. I'm a big wino but I also like a good cider too.
Robust just started a great happy hour from 4pm to 6pm with $4 and $6 tastings and pretty good wine around $5 and $6. They also have a wine cocktail list. Try the Winopolitan. You will NOT be dissappointed.
There is plenty of outdoor seating in this little Webster Groves nook. Delighful decor and very courteous staff capped off the experience. This truly is a bar that knows it wine and it also knows how to have a little diversity in the beverage and food selections so there is something for everyone here. Love. -
Review from Melody M.
Saint Louis, MO
8/2/2011
The perfect place for a date night, or for a girl's night out, Robust is one of the go-to wine bars in St. Louis. Their pairing menu and awesome staff make it accessible to the wine novice, while their wine selection caters to the enthusiast alike.
The Beer o'clock, Wine-Thirty happy hour that was recently launched includes some popular tapas dishes, and makes grabbing an after work cocktail easy on the mind and pocketbook with one featured glass or stein.
The winetails are a stroke of genius, and the wineopolitain is the perfect summertime sip. I can't say enough about how great Robust is! -
Review from Mallory W.
O'Fallon, MO
9/15/2011
Great experience!
I went last night to celebrate the new Miss Young & Free St Louis, Jenn Cloud... and to meet new people. Good decision on my behalf! Great, in fact.
Being the "not-so-sophisticated eater and drinker" that I am, I told the lovely gentleman behind the bar that I wanted a glass of wine. Something white and sweet. He brought me out a lovely example in the "Leitz Out" Riesling. It wasn't sickeningly sweet, but a great starting point. Later, I was talking with the GM, Frank Romano, about people who live in their own little world, and believe they are vampires... sorry off-track. When I was ready for another drink, I said that I wanted something a little sweeter, and he whipped me up the Robust version of a Mojito... sans rum and muddler. Fantastic experience. Since muddling basil at the bar isn't really a great use of time, he combines simple syrup with muddled basil ahead of time and keeps it chilled along with the champagnes. Beautiful. And, he didn't get it from Rachael Ray, says he.
I had a wonderful time getting to know new people and trying new libations, and the setting is fantastic.
Happy Drinking or Dining... whatever you choose to do there. -
Review from Chris Z.
8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I stopped by yesterday to grab a drink or two for happy hour. The patio outside is clean and modern. Inside, marble tabletops complement dark woods and Mediterranean images.
Happy hour consisted of a handful of appetizer specials and two... just two wine specials. I was hoping for a larger offering. They have a bunch of beers too, but none were on the happy hour menu. I had both the red and white wine that were on special. Both would good, not great, and around $6. I also tried the spinach and cheese dip. It was average.
Nothing outstanding, and the crowd was a bit older and not very diverse at all. I kind of felt out of place and decided to head off to somewhere more hip. -
Review from Amy B.
Saint Louis, MO
9/16/2011
Robust is a place I frequent for lunch or happy hour. I have had dinner there as well, but I enjoy it more for lunch or happy hour.
It always seems very quiet and cozy and although it can get crowded, I've never had to wait. I feel like the atmosphere of this place is part of the experience! The music is always one of the best parts and no matter what is going on in my day, peacefulness washes over me as soon as I walk into Robust. It breaks my heart a little if I can't have a glass of wine because I'm there during work hours.
I usually opt for the tuna sandwich with a salad at lunch but I'm no longer seeing that on the menu! I guess I will have to branch out the next time I go and try something new!
I also LOVE the hummus, OMG, probably the best hummus I've ever had! Honorable mention also goes to the cheese plates, pat'e, sea scallops and roasted mushroom flatbread!
Honestly, I've never met a glass of wine at Robust I don't love but the bright white is by far my favorite flight! It's the kind of place you go when you want to feel bubbly! -
Review from Jenny P.
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Based on the wine menu and bar service this place is top notch! Totally five star worthy there. I recommend the CMS (Cab sav, merlot, syrah blend). Very delicious wine and prices are reasonable ranging from approx $30 per bottle to up to $750 for you high rollers out there. Our server was spot on with what cheese plate would go with our wine choice (it was a smooth creamy brie). Deelish!
The food however was pretty lame. Rib eye was dry, but the gorgonzola butter sauce kicked the quality up a notch. The potatoes that come with the dish were actually better than the rib eye. My date had the scallops, and I did not taste them, but it was such a small portion for what we paid for them. Food portions are tiny compared to the big price. Food menu/pricing gets a big 2 thumbs down.
They have a nice little patio out front and the inside ambiance is trendy. Service was so so, but not the worst. Our server was well versed in the wine selections but you could tell he did not want to go out of his way for us.
My recommendation...Skip out on overpriced dinner portions and just go for some wine and a cheese plate.Listed in: Date Nights
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Review from Marjie T.
Updated - 7/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
After my last deplorable experience at Robust, I decided to give them another chance after receiving a nice email from the owner. I'll almost always give a second chance to any place if the owner is engaged enough to reach out to reviewers. So off I went with the same girlfriend as last time. I will say that our server was much, much better than last time, as was our food and wine choices. That being said, I still don't think this will be a regular haunt of mine. And our last visit still took two hours for four small plates and dessert. I don't get that. It's not a bad thing as long as you're prepared. So be prepared.
Instead of the wine flights, we each tried two different kinds of white in the 3 ounce pours. We both enjoyed our wine choices much better than the wine flight we choose last time. We stuck with the artichoke and three cheese dip because it's by far the best thing Robust has going for it. It's delicious! In addition to that we tried the trout, crab cakes, and chicken skewers. The trout and crab cakes were good, but the chicken skewers were pretty dry. I normally avoid ordering chicken for this very reason.
Our server recommended ordering one bread pudding for dessert instead of two, which was against my better judgement since I was still hungry after all those small plates, but we went with it. It's probably a good thing. The bread pudding was better than the cobbler, but still came out tasting burnt. Not sure what that's about. It was a very big portion, so I do recommend sharing. Especially since it wasn't so delicious you'll want to eat it all yourself.
I was surprised how empty Robust was on a Friday night. The bar was less than half full and only a couple tables occupied on the patio.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/21/2011
It's been awhile since I've experienced truly hateful feelings towards an establishment, but… Read more »
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Review from Mike B.
Wildwood, Saint Louis, MO
12/3/2011
I went there for lunch last week. The atmosphere was nice and the service was very good. The portions are small, I had the spinach salad and it felt more like a side salad than a salad meal.
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Review from Bernie D.
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm sorry I have to give this place 2 stars, I really am, but there are just somethings I can't get over.
First I paid $13 for 2 scallops. That's not overpriced, that's a rip off. They're menu overall was underwhelming, and that's fine because it's a wine bar, food is an aside and I get that, but it doesn't mean you have to suck.
Second their waitstaff was knowledgable, but pretentious. As in when we asked questions we got a sigh, a hem and a haw, and then a lack luster description with a apathetic recommendation. If you're going to have a diverse wine selection, anticipate that everyone is not going to be as knowledgable as you are.
The atmosphere is good, it's really exactly what you would expect from a wine bar, music that mostly background noise, dim lighting, and everyone in black t shirts.
I will say however their wine prices were fair and modest. anything from $30 to $300 a bottle and plenty of take home options.
Maybe it is just the love of casual bars that makes me dislike this place, but I wouldn't go back unless it was an occassion for someone else and if I did there's not a chance in hell I'd be ordering off their food menu. -
Review from Steven B.
6/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meet my first Yelp friend Norma here for Happy Hour. Having my first golf lesson later tonight (6Jun), I couldn't stay long, but I did make time for a Bubble Bath (Erin G. recommendation). A Bubble Bath is three glasses with 3oz pours of champagne. I love the place-mats that the pours are presented on, it makes for easy notes and knowing what to buy by the bottle when you fall in love with one as I did.
All three were incredibly good, but the NV "J" Brut Rose, took my breath away. If I didn't have a golf lesson, I could have stayed and nursed a bottle till it was gone.
The bartender Frank and the wait staff all dressed up in fun t-shirts were top notch. I will make sure my next visit does not need to be cut short due to a golf lesson, I want to experience the true Robust. -
Review from Gina S.
5/27/2011 4 photos
Wine and dessert, yes PLEASE!
I went with their white wine flight. A great way to sample a few new white wines. I'm a white wine-er and I tend to stick with my safe wines, the ones I know and love. I really enjoyed being able to try something new even if I didn't fall in love tonight.
For dessert we went with their Dreamsicle Bread Pudding AND French Vanilla Crème Brulée. The bread pudding was bubbling hot right out of the oven, it looked awesome. I've never had a bread pudding quite like it, white chocolate, orange zest and caramel sauce served with orange dreamsicle ice cream. I typically pair citrus in my taste bud's memory bank as something light and summery, but this was a richly heavy dessert. Oh so very good, with a very different flavor combination for my tongue to contemplate. The Crème Brulée was just as good with little flecks of vanilla bean in it, it was so smooth and creamy and just amazing with my wine flight. It actually made the wine taste better paired with a little bite of the sweet Crème Brulée.Listed in: Decadent Desserts
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Review from Jennifer F.
O'Fallon, MO
8/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Tuesday night, our supper club has a meet and greet to catch up since we hadn't seen each other in a while. Someone hollered out Robust. And yes, there was hollering.
So, I made a reservation online (super easy, love opentable!)
When I got there, it wasn't terribly busy, the waitress was more than helpful. I told her I was a white drinker and she gave me a wonderful recommendation, the Ned Pinot Gris, to the point of I googled the name so I can buy more! YUM!
They had a new Happy Hour special at very reasonable prices. I think we ordered about 8 appetizers and they were all fantastic. My personal fave was the spinach dip. Fantastic.
Overall, reasonably priced for a Happy Hour event. It got a little noisy, but hey, we were having a grand old time.
I'm super excited to take my husband back there. They had a great beer list, so that is a selling point for my non-wine drinking husband. It would be absolutely fantastic for a date night.
Very excited to go back soon! -
Review from Stephanie S.
Maplewood, MO
5/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who drinks wine at 11am? I do!
Christine F. was nice enough to meet me here for a lovely Saturday (morning? afternoon?) lunch and wine sesh.
It was a gorgeous day, so we were able to take advantage of their expansive patio seating. Lots of tables with umbrellas and such. Pretty!
Our waiter was super friendly and definitely seemed to know what he was talking about.
I know absolutely NOTHING about wine (i'm ashamed). I just know that I like sweet and bubbly. I went with the 'Bubble Bath' wine flight, which was exactly what I wanted (and needed!). And the pours were REALLY generous!
I wasn't too hungry, so instead of noshing on cheese or sandwiches, I skipped straight to the dessert menu.
I noticed the bread pudding immediately, and my choice was practically made for me. Of COURSE I'm going with the bread pudding!
Apparently, the bread pudding flavors always change. This time it was dreamsickle, which honestly sounded gross, but I went with it.
And I'm glad I did. There was definitely an orange-y flavor about the bread pudding, but it was so warm and delicious that I didn't even care. It was paired with dreamsickle ice cream, which was perfectly creamy and delish.
I think I've found my new favorite hangout spot. I can't wait to go back to try more yummy wines and eat bread pudding! I'm easy to please, what can I say? -
Review from Christine F.
Tower Grove South, Saint Louis, MO
5/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Well, shizz, if Steph is gonna namedrop me like that, I guess I'm obligated to write somethin'. ;)
This experience was really lovely. The waiter was very nice, dropped a couple of corny jokes where I thought "hmm wonder how many people he's used that on?" but he was very sweet and pleasant. Definitely knowlegable and broke down the wine lingo pretty well for us.
I think the wine flights are the way to go. I got the Bright Whites flight (say THAT ten times fast) and Steph got the Bubble Bath. I really enjoyed my wine - there was a definite distinction between the range of sweetest to driest and they were ALL the bomb diggity. Steph and I, however, couldn't really tell the difference between the tastes of two of her champagnes...her blood orange one was super tasty, though.
Also got another glass of wine which I *think* was the Sainte Fleur "Triennes" (yes I am cheating from their website). It was really good. I should have taken tasting notes. All I remember is that it was really good.
I got a cheese plate. He recommended the Sartori Raspberry because it would go well with the wine I was drinking. Couldn't really taste any raspberry. He did tell me "ignore the raspberry part, you can't taste it" - well, he was spot on! I waffled with a star deduction here because....I wanted more cheese! For $8, I got a wedge (like, 1/8 of the little cheese circle) and a LOT of fluff around it. Fancy pretzel-like sticks, dried fruit, nuts...all yummy, but I WANT CHEEEESSEEE. However, I pouted and gave the star back to this review, because I guess that's how much those things run, because now that I think about it, when I get a cheese plate at other restaurants that's usually how it is. The wedge was sizeable, all things considered. I might need to get a sampler next time, even though those run at $14. I bet it would last for a good long wine session, though.
Also, a lady bug flew into my wine about halfway through. I flagged down the waiter and asked if he could replace it - making sure to point out, "You can just fill it to where it was, I don't need a whole new one" but he brought me a full glass anyway. Win!
Oh, and out on the lovely patio, a couple of patrons had their well-mannered canine companions sitting by their tables, and our waiter brought out dog bowls with water for them. AWWW.
I really enjoyed myself. I WILL be back. Went home and immediately tried to plan with the boyfriend when he and I could go.
Love.Listed in: Thanks, Yelp.com! *salutes*, Favorites.
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Review from Raya K.
Came here last week with my two best friends visiting from out of town per my uncle's suggestion. He hadn't been here but wanted to try it so he treated us girls to some awesome wine flights and delicious food!
I tried the sassy, sexy, soft wine flight...3 different pinot noirs, all great choices. We ordered the red pepper hummus and some olives to share. I ordered the roasted beet salad and crab cakes for myself. The crab cakes were light and flavorful, but not too overpowering so I could still taste my wine! I also tried my friends pear and prosciutto flatbread. All were excellent, no complaints from anyone at the table. We also shared the bread pudding among the four of us, and still had a quite a bit left on the plate... a rarity indeed.Listed in: Purple teeth
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Review from robert p.
Saint Louis, MO
9/8/2011
I'll cut to the Chase. Nice outdoor patio, good wine by the glass selection. underwhelming scallops, uninspired sweet potato chilaquiles. perhaps we ordered poorly? server was nice near tip time.
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Review from Anne J.
8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'd been dying to eat here after I read the reviews. I was shopping with a friend at the galleria and we wanted a nice, not terribly expensive lunch that was fairly close. So, I pulled out my Yelp app and looked around. We arrived at around 12:30 on Saturday and were seated immediately. The service from there on was the only thing that knocked it down from 5 stars. There were three people total working and the place was pretty much packed. That being said, they did an okay job. We decided to have the spinach artichoke spread for an appetizer. Wowzers. One of my favorite things is when you can tell that the ingredients are fresh. It was delicious. For lunch, I had the chicken salad sandwich and my friend had the Cobb salad. They were both so good! I can't wait to return for wine and dinner.
One thing: I hate being called babe by people other than my boyfriend. Please Mr. Bartender, don't call me that. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Saint Louis, MO
9/29/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Fall weather, great wine and tasty bites. Cheese. Wine. Duck flatbread. Specials on wine flights. Very friendly and eager to help staff. What more could a girl ask for? Oh, maybe some handsome company. Check. I recommend Robust to anyone who wants to learn more about wine since their staff is willing to help and the wine flights are somewhat cheap. The food is good and served in somewhere between tapas and starter sizes so it's enough to nibble on and share a bite or two. Plenty of options also.
My favorite thing is that the entire menu is set up to easily pair food and wine options. Each dish has a number next to it corresponding to a wine type. Genius!Listed in: Our Date Spots, Thanks Groupon!, Watering Holes
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Review from Abby S.
Updated - 8/4/2010 5 Check-ins Here
A group of girlfriends and I met at Robust on Saturday to (finally!) celebrate my engagement and make some preliminary wedding plans. Of course all of my bridal party loves wine (duh! that's how my peeps roll!) and we're all spread out over St. Louis, so Robust seemed like the perfect place to grab an early Saturday lunch.
Our server didn't even think twice when I busted out the laptop at the table or when we asked for a tape measurer and then took it into the bathroom so I knew my measurements; hence, what size wedding dresses to be shopping for.
I highly recommend the champagne flight, otherwise know as the Bubble Bath. Light, crisp and perfect for celebrating. We also shared some small plates, including the heirloom tomato salad, spinach dip and one of their many delicious cheese plates.
A wonderful little spot for gal pals to get together, have a glass of vino and talk about the future. Cheers to Robust - can't wait to come back!Listed in: Pure Perfection, Sweet Tooth, St. Louis County and Beyond, When I like to leave the…, Adults Only
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/15/2010
Came here for dinner recently and boy oh boy, what a treat! If you think the people in the wine… Read more »
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Review from Rose H.
Saint Louis, MO
11/5/2010
Fan-freaking-tastic! What really sealed the deal for me at Robust was the service. Best. Server. Ever. We were a particularly noisy, indecisive group of 10, and she handled us perfectly. She let us do separate checks, if we said we needed a little more time to decide, she didn't do the disappearing for 15 minutes sort of thing, and everything was exactly right.
But on to the wine and food. Discounted flights on Wednesdays: I am so there. Three three-ounce pours gets you your money's worth. And I love the way they organized their groupings...made it easy to decide, and the wines made sense together. Their entire list is very respectable. Food: delish. I ordered prosciutto and was presented with a lovely wooden palette piled with perfect, thinly-sliced prosciutto and some seasoned crisp breadsticks. I did not share. Also ordered their hummus-like stuff (combo of fava beans, olive oil, lemon, cumin, and some other magic) that came with warm, slightly toasted pita and olives.
We all left with big smiles on our faces, and I just have to give one more shout out to our server. You rock!!! -
Review from Lisa K.
St Louis, MO
8/24/2010
I made my second visit to Robust Wine bar last night, and once again it exceeded my expectations.
On my first visit I brought an out-of-town friend with me. We sat in the outside dining area which was very enjoyable on a cool evening. We ordered three of their smaller dishes, and each had a two glasses of wine. The waiter was extremely helpful in recommending what dishes to order when we asked his opinion, as we were having a difficult time deciding between a few dishes. We ended up ordering something that we would not have ordinarily ordered (Baked Camembert), and loved it! He also helped us choose wines that would compliment our food. He was very knowledgeable of which wines would go best with the dishes that we ordered and his service was perfect.
Last night I was there in conjunction with a group event and once again I was very impressed with Robust. Their wait staff was very attentive to our group, and they were very accommodating to the needs of our group as well as the needs of their dinner patrons.
I definitely recommend Robust Wine Bar for both a night out as well as for your group's next function.
Also, both times I've been there I have taken advantage of social media specials. The first time they offered: if you checked in on Foursquare you could buy one 3oz pour get one 3oz pour free. Last night they were offering: if you checked in on Foursquare, you received your first glass of this particular beer for free ... so be sure and check their social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare) for any applicable specials. -
Review from Char S.
St Louis, MO
11/17/2010
A few years ago I lived briefly in Davis, CA, home of UC Davis School of Viticulture & Enology. The vineyards of well heeled Napa & casual Sonoma were an easy picturesque drive away. Naturally, restaurants throughout the area served up a mind-blowing array of local wines, often coupled with interesting wine education.
That's what draws me to a good wine bar like Robust Wine Bar & Cafe in Webster Groves. They offer uncomplicated delicious tastes blended lightly & served simply by knowledgeable servers. Plus I benefit from their information & suggestions about wines & the foods they complement. There is nothing better on a lazy midweek day off in autumn than an al fresco table at Robust, a glass of meaty wine, a heavenly cheese platter, a bowl of soup or a salad & the afternoon sun dropping slowly earthward.
Prices are mid-range toward the higher end, foods are fresh & tasty, wine flights are substantial & desserts are mouthwatering. This is a popular place so expect noisy conversation & a wait on weekend evenings. The full service bar is attractive but of course they encourage you to indulge in wine. You can pass some of your wait time looking over the wines & novelties featured in the gift shop. Wine related tee shirts are worn by the servers & are a big hit.
Hint: Play hooky one afternoon. A slower pace can be had at lunch with smaller plates, food just as tasty & the pleasure of sipping a light wine when you would normally be at work. -
Review from Tim M.
Brentwood, MO
3/18/2011
I'd heard some great things about Robust. It had enough going for it as I walked through the door but was immediately unimpressed with the retail space that occupied the area to the left as I walked back to our table. Our table was in a very well lit room that didn't provide the warm, intimate wine bar setting I was expecting.
While our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu, there was a very rehearsed feeling as he spent a solid 8 minutes walking us through it. All of us at the table felt exhausted after his explanation.
We took all of his recommendations from cheese plates to small plates to wine flights. We ordered 7 plates to share with four people. The scallops were fabulous, the mushroom flat bread was outstanding and everything else was pretty good. I took our waiter's advice tried the Sexy, Smooth red wine flight. It was the second highest priced flight and I was not blown away by any of the options there.
I'd go back to give it another chance, but I'm not rushing back anytime soon. -
Review from Josh S.
10/2/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I had been to Robust one other time and I was really excited to try them again. After a long day at work Steph and I felt like letting someone else cook for us and headed to Webster Grove and Robust. It would have been great to sit outside on their patio, however due tot he amazing weather the patio was full so we headed inside to the cozy atmosphere that combines restaurant, bar and wine shop all into one.
We were promptly seated and our waitress was quick to stop by and check on us. We were a bit undecided on just how we wanted to approach dinner and our Waitress was extremely understanding and gave us the time to decide what we wanted without pressuring us.
We started off with some cheese and wine, then moved on to some hummus and pita bread. From there we ordered the duck flat bread which was amazing and the pork loin which was cooked to perfection and served with apple butter. Then we finished it off with some chocolate treat.
I'm sure you would order individual items for yourself, but the portion sizes seem to lend itself more to a tapas style offering where you share the tasty treats. I really liked the way the menu is set up in that each item has a number next to it which corresponds to a set of wines. If you are new to wine and food parings this is a great place to start your education.
When it comes to price for Robust I was very impressed. We had a Groupn which made the price even more reasonable. We in essence shared a five course meal and enjoyed wine with four of those courses. Not too bad in my opinion. Consider me a fan for sure! -
Review from Joi B.
4/28/2010 1 Check-in Here
Abbondanza! That'sa some glass of wine! Talk about full body--I daresay Beyonce herself would be jealous. The Cellar Arts 2005 Robust Blend is what I'm talking about. The sad thing is, I had one of the very last bottles of that particular vintage. Boo for you :( That's OK, there are other years out there.
That aside (um, Beyonce isn't making it past the spell check--what?), I had a thoroughly enjoyable dinner recently at Robust. My cronies and I sat out on the heated patio, and the manager, truly one of the nicest and most responsive managers I have ever encountered (this is coming from someone who once managed a restaurant, by the way and no, I was not even in her league) made sure we were comfortable and moved the heating lamp closer to us.
Dinner was a rich affair of cheeses, dips and breads, all scrumptious and although decadent, I didn't feel guilty because portion size was appropriate. I appreciate this as sometimes I *sigh* have been known to overindulge. Yes, it's true.
Our waiter knew the menu, its extensive wine and what to pair it with inside out. Without pause he answered every one of our questions. Truly impressive.
Yet another reason to return to St Louis as soon as possible!Listed in: I was New to the 'Lou
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Review from Lulu W.
Saint Louis, MO
4/23/2010
I did a very rude thing at Robust. It was a busy night. I was starving and cantankerous and I was with a friend I hadn't seen in ages. We sat with just waters for about 15 minutes at the end of which, I said to my friend (louder than I thought), "Can't we get some fuckin' menus?"
When I looked up, the hostess was looking at me walking towards me. I'm pretty sure SHE HEARD ME. *dies* She very kindly explained why there was a menu shortage (full house and lots of lingering parties) and that they were working on getting us some. I am so embarrassed. So here is my public apology.
Dear cute hostess with the glasses- I didn't mean for you to hear me being so rude. I would never dream of saying such a thing to anyone's face and I apologize for seeming impatient and uncouth. I appreciate that you were kind to me even though you heard me being very rude. Please forgive me?
Phew! I'm glad I got that off my chest!
Moving along. I was very bad at Robust. I usually don't eat meat that I 1) don't know how it was harvested 2) wasn't harvested in locally. I was so jealous of the other Yelpers at the Robust Elite event that got to try the duck flat bread that the foodie in me took hold of my willpower and put it straight in the toilet. Straight in there. I didn't even ask about where the duck lived or if it got to breathe clean air, eat things ducks are supposed to eat. Bad, Lulu.
I don't get why everyone is constantly jizzing themselves over bacon when there is duck. This flat bread was maybe one of the best things I've ever eaten. Fuck bacon. Duck is the new black. We also ordered the baked camembert with strawberry balsamic sauce. Just...amazing.
The waiter did great at suggesting wines based off our crude descriptions of what we'd like (Err...something chilled and red?). He was very attentive, professional and accommodating.
Great big ol' gooey heart!Listed in: La, la, love you., Rockin' the Suburbs, Date Night
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Review from Morgan M.
St Louis, MO
1/14/2011
I have visited this restaurant on a few different occasions in the last month and have always been impressed with it. The menu is geared toward the "meat and cheese appetizer" option, but there are some light meal options to choose from. The meats and cheeses they offer are so good, I wouldn't want to waste a visit on sticking to one main course! Somehow I have always been seated in the same server's station... Joseph... definitely ask for his area because he has given me some of the best recommendations I have ever received from a server.
The only hard part about a visit to Robust is the price tag that comes with it because it is a little pricey. My best recommendation to you: if you find a wine you like, ask them to price it at the bottle price... it's a lot more economical if you know you want to stick with one particular wine. -
Review from Jill L.
Saint Louis, MO
4/23/2010
My experiences at Robust have thus far been topnotch! Came here for dinner recently to use my Groupon, which made it even more enjoyable! The ambiance is modern/swanky, and they always have great music playing.
I ordered a red wine flight, and all three were pretty tasty. My husband wanted a glass of Chardonnay and after explaining what he was wanting, the waitress came out with just the right glass for him.
We had the Pate de Campagne, which I've had before, and it's absolutely wonderful! One of my favorite dishes in St. Louis...it comes with little pieces of french bread, and this spicy mustard. The Pate is not too creamy, just perfect melt-in-your mouth goodness.
We also had the Heirloom tomato salad, which was just ok, not quite worth it's $11 price tag. And, the hummus was excellent! The Salmon Flatbread was good, and a bit more substantial than the other tiny dishes. But, my favorite thing of the night was the "unnamed" dessert! OMG...it was like bread pudding made out of donut pieces with ice cream on top! The perfect balance of hot and cold, and the perfect ending to our taste adventure!
With the Groupon, our $80 bill went down to $40, which was great, but unfortunately, this is definitely more of "splurge" kind of place. -
Review from Alyssa J.
Ballwin, MO
8/10/2011
Robust is definitely one of my favorite spots in St. Louis. Incredible (and extremely reasonably priced) wine selection, including well thought out wine flights. The salad trio, a medley of egg, tuna, and chicken salad, is a favorite of mine for lunch. The smalls plates available in the evenings make it easy to try many different dishes. With a wide variety of cheese and charcuterie plates, tasting plates, and desserts that are to die for, it's impossible to leave unsatisfied.
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Review from Kimberly N.
Saint Louis, MO
3/9/2011 ROTD 8/5/2011
I met up here with a friend for dinner because about a year ago, I bought the Groupon thinking it looked like a fantastic deal, and a reason to go out to dinner somewhere I had never been before. And it was a great idea. I applaud my wisdom from last year.
Now, I was told this is not typical, and I am a trusting soul, but this place was packed on Monday night. There was an hour and a half wait for a table, and a full crowd around the bar. I took the hostess's suggestion and tried to find people that looked like they might be leaving and stood behind them to jump into their seats the moment they stood up. Luckily the women we stood behind were quite gracious and even made a joke about it as they left. They were there for the Groupon too, but they were smart and came at 5:30 instead of 7:30.
So we ordered two glasses of wine, and got to looking at the small plates. They also have three-wine sample sets or "flights" that if you like wine in a certain range (similar color, tanins, stuff like that) you can get three smaller (3 oz) glasses and taste them all. I saved that for my next trip.
Our server was really great. He answered all of the questions about wine, and when it came to ordering we had been so wrapped up in our own conversation we did not take a good look at the menu so he recommended three things for us and we got them: chorizo, gouda flavored with fenugreek, and roasted red pepper hummus. One thing that surprised me was that all three came out at once, and not as they were made, or maybe they were all made at once, I have no idea, but I was a bit surprised. But the food was awesome. The cheese plate had dried fruit and nuts on it, pretty standard, but the cheese was quite good. The chorizo was finely sliced and perfectly spicy. And the hummus had a good black pepper kick to it that I really enjoyed. The three of those was enough food for the two of us. I left feeling full but not overly so. Although, glancing at some other reviews, I should have tried the bread pudding. Another time.
The other thing that surprised me was that there was a guy behind the bar whose sole job it seemed to be was cleaning the glasses, polishing and putting them away. It did not surprise me that someone did that, but that their job was only that. He did not help with service, even if you looked right at him and tried to flag him the way you would a server, no response.
Again, this place was packed. So it was loud. You definitely had to lean in to hear someone and be paying closer attention than you might think. But it was not awful. Even full to the brim you could have a pretty pleasant conversation in here, and not be worried about the next guy listening in. Although the guy polishing glasses behind the bar probably listened in to everything.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, wine bottles line shelves, there are corks suspended in resin for the bar top, although they probably could have been packed tighter (just a designer's eye making suggestions for the next wine bar). The lighting was dim, but it did not seem dark. The bathroom was very clean. And all the servers were wearing brown t-shirts that had an adjective that you could use to describe wine on them. I thought that was a neat touch. Plus, we sat there for the better part of two hours and there was no one hurrying us to move along or make up our minds.
Overall, I had a great time here. Great food, great wine, great service, perfect atmosphere. I am looking forward to planning my next wine bar experience. -
Review from Emily K.
Saint Louis, MO
3/5/2010 ROTD 5/23/2010
Robust! You're my favorite new kid on the block. I was unaware of your existence for awhile, but now that we've become acquainted, you're my good buddy.
A few things to note:
I am not a wine connoisseur. That being said, I do feel like I have a generally acceptable palate for good wines, and every wine I taste at Robust sets my buds afire. While Robust certainly isn't the first place to invent a wine flight, I do feel like they nail the selections, each sample provides more and more happiness dancing across my tongue.
Go to Robust to experience what they do best: wine and appropriate accompaniments (hello there, cheese, nice to see you on my table this evening...) I felt like giving the spinach artichoke dip a high-five. It's the right mix of fresh spinach, creamy cheeses, and flavorful artichoke. It's not overly gooey, not overly earthy. Yums.
The house salad with gruyere, bacon, carrots, corn, almond brittle (yes, it's amazing), and garlic vinaigrette and is a total NOM NOM NOM. I paired it with the Robust Chowder (shrimp, chorizo, potatoes, yes) and was really, really happy with this decision.
Be aware that if you're bringing "dudes" here, they do not have a full liquor bar (no whiskey, k thanks.) Plus, it's not exactly "dude" food, no large sides of cow on plates here. What I'm trying to say is, this is a nice place to bring your wine-and-salad-loving girlfriends. Keep it on your radar for a lo-key 'Girls Night Out.'
Our server, Joseph, was elegant and knowledgeable. *Go Jo-seph, Go Jo-seph......... Go, Go, Go, Go, Go...*
The one thing that irked me - our table was right next to the espresso machine, so the moment that bad boy got a workout, our conversation went quiet. We found it kind of funny, but I do recommend they fix this ASAP as it was a real distraction to our otherwise perfect meal.
PS - don't miss the well thought-about mini gift shop.
PPS - don't forget to secure a sober driver after your visit. The wines are so good that they go down very easily. Be safe, kids! -
Review from Anita S.
St Louis, MO
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Robust Wine Bar & Cafe = Yummy with a capital 'Y'! I've been there twice and each time was like traveling into a world of amazing tastes. The items on the menu are common, for example, crab cakes. But the taste is uncommonly good (to borrow a famous phrase). The Tilapa Ruben and Crab Cake sandwich are the most amazing things I've ever tasted. Each bite simply explodes with flavor and then melts in your mouth. I didn't sample the wines, but their selection is extensive. Bookmark this on your Yelp and frequent often. You will not be disappointed.
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Review from Carolyn C.
Saint Louis, MO
4/9/2010 2 Check-ins Here
We decided to stay for din after the Yelp event a few weeks ago, and I have to say...Robust is my new crush! It was a perfect evening, we sat outside for several hours, enjoying food, wine and great company.
Our server was among the best I have had - A pet peeve of mine is a server who either doesn't have an opinion or tries to tell me that "everything is good." Yes, everything may be "ok," but everyone has a favorite. I knew I would like our server as soon as he said in response to my wine order: "Can I make a suggestion? I am a Pinot drinker and I would recommend the other..."
The menu, while a little overwhelming, is super creative with the numbering system to help you with wine pairings. Our table's picks for food:
- Sartori Raspberry cheese plate
- Roasted snapper
- Seared scallops
- Pork tenderloin
- Fondue
This type of place makes me super nostalgic for SF, and all I can say is that I am totally crushing on Robust, and can't wait to come back! -
Review from Alice S.
St Louis, MO
7/9/2011
Great wine selections and flights. Four of us women had 4 small plates, a cheese and a charcuterie plate and it was enough for a small before-theatre meal. We loved it!
