We were looking for a treat around Edwardsville today & Yelp "surprise me" feature selected Cafe…read moreBirdie for us - so glad it did! I had the gluten free lemon lavender donut & a vanilla latte - both were great! My husband had a scone he enjoyed & lemonade that was very freshly squeezed. Service was prompt and friendly - you order up at the counter. Lots of GF options, no upcharge for oat milk, gender neutral bathroooms, cozy seating both indoor and outdoor on the patio, self serve water station.

I live really close to Cafe Birdie and have been wanting to check it out forever, but I never…read moreseemed to be free during their open hours. Pro tip: definitely check their hours before you go--and honestly, just plan your day around it because it's that good. I was expecting your typical little coffee-and-sandwich spot, but it completely exceeded my expectations. They have a couple of parking spaces behind the building, and if those are full, there's a free lot about 500 feet down the road. It was pretty busy at lunchtime. You order at the counter, and they bring everything to your table. There's a mix of indoor and outdoor seating in various sizes, and the decor is adorable. I especially loved the maps--they make great conversation starters. I noticed several tables pointing out places they'd visited and swapping travel stories. The menu has a nice variety. I ordered the chicken salad on ciabatta with a side salad. The chicken salad had a strong dill flavor that I really enjoyed, and the ciabatta was perfectly fresh--not too tough. Next time, I'll probably pick a different side since the salad was basically just lettuce. If there was any dressing, it was super light, so I ended up adding some of the lettuce into my sandwich. The surprise standout, though, was the lavender lemonade--a total sleeper hit. It was scorching hot that day, and I wanted something refreshing, so I ordered it on a whim. Honestly, it was the best lemonade I've ever had. I don't usually find myself making a special trip to a café just for lemonade, but here I am. I'm not sure if it's seasonal, but I really hope it sticks around.

Cafe LaNae is a fantastic addition to Wood River and the entire Riverbend area. In my opinion, you…read morecan never have too many bakeries and cafes in your neighborhood. My first visit I kinda went hog wild and stuffed myself. Being a farm boy, I always have to try Biscuits and Gravy. I did a half order, which was a single biscuit. I had mine to go, so it was packaged in a Eco-Friendly To-Go Vessel. The biscuit was wrapped in foil and the milk gravy was in a separate container. Once I assembled it, it was a winner. The biscuit was fluffy and the milk gravy had a fair amount of sausage crumbles and was seasoned perfectly. It made this old farm boy happy. My other treat was a, Bacon Egg Boursin Croissant. It was a true meal in itself. There was plenty of bacon, the eggs were done perfectly and the Boursin made the breakfast sandwich sing. Seriously, I would have never thought to add Boursin to a breakfast croissant and I have it in my icebox all the time. After sampling a savory treats, I had to have something sweet. My sweet treat was their Cinnamon Roll. OMG! I am thankful I do not live closer, because if I did, I'd be having one of these delights daily. I love the open concept of seeing the kitchen. It's always fun to watch you food being prepared. The staff is friendly and makes everyone feel welcomed. With all the experience and connections that LaNae and A.J. have with other businesses; Duke's, Tony's Ranch House, Gentelin's and all the way back to Wimpy's, you know the food is going to be good. I wish them success and recommend you go give them a try.

I do not get to Wood River often but when I have, I have a few coffee shops I enjoy visiting…read more Today, I decided to try something different after seeing a newer shop open. Cafe LaNae apparently has been open about a year (as of this writing) so I went in because I was meeting someone for a Facebook Marketplace purchase. I didn't plan to be very long. I purchased an iced coffee for $7 plus a tip. After confirming my order twice (sugar-free mocha syrup), they brought me a sugar-free vanilla drink. Oh well, no biggie...It wasn't the best, but I'm not staying long. I have specific dietary metrics that I manage, so while waiting for the person I was looking for, I pulled out a muffin my wife got me that met those metrics. I took maybe three bites out of it while waiting. Quickly, I noticed one of the owners hovering over my table to see what I was eating, and within 30 seconds, the other owner came over and told me I'm not allowed to bring any food into the place. She tried to smile and act like it was no big deal, saying, "I'll allow it THIS time". Gee thanks! I tried to explain my situation and the fact that I had already purchased a drink and was planning to leave, and she talked over me, expressing once more not to do it again. I elected to leave after pondering her words for a few minutes. I understand the profit margins for these places are razor thin and I would not want people bringing in their own meals, but I bought a drink, tipped, and took two bites out of something that was mine that met my diet. This place is more of a brunch/lunch fast-casual Greek-style place. Nothing they had on their menu would have met my diet, at least not even for a couple of bites which I didn't think was a big deal. I won't return. Not after that experience.

My husband and I wanted to find a place to sit and get away from the heat, and we found The Garden…read more It is a pretty big space, and we were welcomed in. We ordered from their seasonal menu (matcha, iced tea, and cherry turnover), and wandered into the gallery next door. WHOA - what a wonderful experience it was to really reflect. If you're not a person interested in social impact, societal differences, and listening to voices affected by racism, this may not be for you. It really asks you to sit with yourself, open yourself spiritually, take in a prayer and let your empathy lead. But if you are open to at least learning, I would absolutely recommend walking through. Once we were done, our order was ready! The seasonal matcha was GREAT, I loved the flavor. My husband liked his iced tea, but I think he wished it was sweeter for him. But the cherry turnover - that was fabulous! A welcoming place with beautiful plants, yummy coffee, and a poignant message.

Love it here! Cannot wait to go back and try more. I like…read morethe idea of introducing the patrons to different chefs. They also give you clippings of the plants if you'd like! I took home lavender and basil. I'm so happy I tried this place! Very good seating area as well

I came back to work while spending time outside of my home. The upstairs is perfect for remote…read morework! It's quiet, spacious, airy and you still get the touch of service you need. There's a water station and a large, single bathroom for patron use. I ordered the chicken gyro and it was sooo juicy! The chicken couldn't have been cooked better. The fries are so good. I also ordered a cup of lemon orzo soup which is a MUSTTTTT. I can't pass it up.

Went on a little date here and it was pleasant. It's counter service, and there's an upstairs and…read moredownstairs. The downstairs is remarkably more aesthetic than the upper level. I got a chicken farro bowl that had a flavor combo I haven't had before (rare occurrence): cinnamon/nutmeg farro! It was such a yummy flavor combined with the goat cheese and chicken. Loved it. My boyfriend got a steak sandwich and it was a 10/10. Overall, good experience.

@labellevie_frenchtown…read more Grab your people and go! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaSxbqDujgx/?igsh=MXZ1d2w0eWVyYnJpeg==

What a cute gem in St. Charles! Another spot I had been wanting to visit for a while and although…read moreit was very hot this morning, we made our way! Not a lot of parking, but lots of street parking and it's in a very walkable neighborhood. This place is order first, and then find a seat! And there is plenty of seating inside and in their covered patio! They have the menus all up front for you: breakfast and lunch, kid's menu, and drink menu. We ordered: Croque Madame Crepe - standard crepe, but w all the croque Madame fixings! The ham was soo good in this The Lake Bake - poached eggs on HASH BROWNS! Great seasoning on the potatoes. Just Cheese Flatbread - my 3 year old loved it! Orange Juice Cold Brew w milk Apple Juice I loved our breakfast! It was simple and filling! The atmosphere here is so lovely so I recommend visiting. It is also huge space. The further you go in, the more seating there is and a covered patio as well! The breakfast we ordered didn't come with any sides but it was still very filling and big portions! My son loved his flatbread. The staff here was also super nice!

This is a great little neighborhood coffee shop. It's located in what I"d guess was a gas station…read morein its earlier life. The ambiance is minimalist with a rustic twist and it truly is right on the corner, so you can't miss it. They offer a good variety of teas, coffee and morning pastries. If you're there at lunchtime, they've got that covered, too. They offer several sandwiches and for the health conscious, there is a variety of salads, too. The staff was friendly and brewed me a great cup of coffee. I love small town coffee shops. Their personalized service out shines that chain that most people love.

I found this delightful little cafe in downtown Wood River a pleasant surprise. While it has been…read moreopen for about two years now (yes, I asked), I had not heard of Russell's Corner Cafe until a few days ago when I took an alternative route and happened to drive by the cafe. It's an ideal place to grab your morning caffeine or a quick lunch, while supporting a small business. My Order: Mango Passionfruit Iced Tea & The Italian Sandwich Food/Drinks: The coffee menu is extensive, and they have a decent tea menu (my tea was Stash). There's a small bakery/pastry case, plus a few sandwiches and salads on the menu. After eating there, I checked out their social media; it looks like they have occasional specials that they post. I enjoyed my tea, and the Italian Sandwich was delicious. My sandwich came with a little cup of oil with herbs, which was so good! Atmosphere: The inside is simple, yet inviting. There's a counter where you order, and two small rooms with a few tables in each room. There's also a few tables outside, which I would have sat at had it been a little bit warmer. The woman working the counter was friendly and helpful. Logistics: It's 3 hour street parking, but I had no trouble finding a spot. The building is sort of on the corner/side road. Once inside, head up to the counter to order.

Absolutely loved our breakfast here! My husband and I sat on the patio overlooking the river, and…read morethe view alone made it worth the visit! So peaceful, beautiful, and the perfect start to our morning! What truly made the experience exceptional was our server, Jenn. She was incredible from start to finish!! She was warm, attentive, and genuinely thoughtful. She made great recommendations, checked on us at all the right times, and went above and beyond in ways you don't see often. My husband is picky about biscuits and gravy, and Jenn kindly brought him a sample of the gravy first to make sure he'd like it...such a small gesture to some people, but truly made it special for my husband. She even sent us off with coffee to go, which we really appreciated!! The food was just as impressive. I had the traditional breakfast. Everything was cooked perfectly, the potatoes were nice and crispy, Jenn recommended the ham, which was so flavorful and perfectly charred, so good!!! My husband ended up loving his biscuits and gravy! Between the amazing service, delicious food, and relaxing riverfront setting, this was easily one of our favorite breakfast experiences. Jenn truly made it memorable, and we'll definitely be asking for her every time we come back. Can't wait to return!!

What a charming cafe in the middle of a charming Downtown area!…read more It was freezing the morning we went in, but I was wanting breakfast - specifically pancakes. I had this place in the bookmarks and figured now was the best time to visit. Parking can be an issues in Downtown St. Charles since it is limited to street parking or public parking a few blocks away. We found parking right in front of FPC, mainly because it was a cold, Monday morning. We were greeted immediately, and inside was much smaller than I expected. We got seated right away though, and a good chance to really review the menu. I got a house coffee (delicious), and my husband got a Purple Haze Lemonade. We ended up getting a kid's pancake with bacon and scrambled eggs, Short Rib Breakfast Stack, and a Bomb Burrito. The pancake for my 2 year old was MASSIVE so it was a good day for him lol. The short rib stack was yummy - hash browns with runny eggs and meat on top. The burrito was also pretty good. Our breakfast entrees came with a side order of potatoes and while it was good, it got saltier over time so I might not get that next time. They advertise beignets, so we might go for that next time and try out their lunch menu!

Lovely place. Great food and coffee! Wonderful staff! Locally owned…read more The coffee isn't burnt like the 'bucks. ;)

I have only ever been through the drive-thru but with that being said, The Abbey deserves high…read morerecognition. It is such a great coffee break! I'd prefer their lattes over any franchise drink, any day. What's even better, it's a 1/4 mile from my home & on my way! I always order a vanilla iced latte w/ oat milk & sometimes an extra shot. It is perfect, every time -- their syrup isn't overpowering and too sweet, and you can taste the delicious espresso. Not bitter and not too sweet, like other places, their espresso is the perfect combo. The Abbey is always quick, accurate, delicious & made by friendly staff. I look forward to walking in one day, soon. Excellent coffee, stellar service. Cheer's to you, The Abbey! :)

Tucked inside the 21c Museum Hotel, Good Press is one of those spots that quietly overdelivers…read more From the moment you walk in, the eclectic decor sets the tone--creative, and a little unexpected. It feels less like a typical coffee stop and more like part of the overall hotel experience. What really stands out is the attention to detail. The syrups are made in-house, and you can taste the difference--nothing overly sweet or artificial, just well-balanced flavors that elevate the drinks. The menu is impressively versatile too, with plenty of options whether you're in the mood for coffee, tea, or something more substantial. Speaking of which, the veggie flatbread was a highlight. Fresh, and thoughtfully put together with seasonal vegetables and a delicious goat cheese that tied everything together without overpowering it. Add in genuinely great customer service, and you've got a spot that's worth lingering in, not just grabbing and going. If you're visiting 21c (or even if you're not), Good Press is absolutely worth a stop.

Wow this is a coffee shop I was not ready for! Walking into the building made me appreciate the…read moreattention to details. When walking into the building the coffee shop is to your right away from the art pieces you get glued to! I ordered the iced HONEY BEE LATTE and it was incredible. By far one of my favorite coffees I have had in awhile. The service was great and quick service. Overall, the best part is walking around the art museum after receiving my coffee. The lounge artwork and couches were also a nice touch!