If you're looking for some unique and inventive menu options, then Mortar & Pestle is for you. I made reservations for 6pm on a Friday night which I was glad for as the place was quickly filling up upon our arrival. We were seated at a half-moon booth. It was quite cozy with a romantic vibe. They had the large windows open to let some of the nice spring air in. They closed it after a while as the temperature dropped. The many accent lighting strategically placed throughout the restaurant further emphasized the intimacy of the space especially once the sun had set. Our waitress came and took drink orders shortly after we settled. I had the Seville (cava, St Germaine, pamplemousse liqueur) and my husband had the copper pig (roasted pear, maker's bourbon and bitters St. George pear). We both enjoyed the drinks we ordered. I tried some of his. It had great pear flavors! I found mine quite refreshing that I ordered another one before the dinner was over. We started with the hummus trio with naan. The hummus had 3 toppings: ground lamb, shishito peppers, and tempura zucchini (yes, I put them in order of how I ranked them). The ground lamb was my favorite. Very flavorful and complemented the hummus really well. At a very close second, the shishito peppers. There was a moment when they were tied but I had another bite of the ground lamb and put it on top eventually. For my main course, I ordered the special bibimbap and my husband had the beef and lamb kabobs. My bibimbap was flavorful, packed with protein and had a nice level of spice to it. I honestly ate too much naan and hummus that I wasn't able to eat much of my dinner but I took it home and had it the next day. Still delicious! Of course, I couldn't leave without dessert so I ordered the mango cassava cheesecake. It was excellent! Just enough sweetness to satisfy the craving and a prominent mango flavor. It was definitely a great way to end our Friday night dinner! Staff were friendly and accommodating. We had a wonderful dinner and I cannot wait to return! read more

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Fun, diverse menu with a fresh, creative selection. Excellent service from start to finish. A great new spot offering truly unique and exotic dishes! read more

Mortar & Pestle - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

Wow, this was a lovely experience! I'm glad we made a reservation online, as nearly every table was occupied when we visited on a Friday night. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and seated at a cozy window table, with a choice of a pillow-laden bench or metal chairs. The vibe is friendly and casual but classy, with mismatched bright-patterned cloth napkins and fresh flowers in small vases on every table. The online menu mentions batched cocktails on tap, which is really the only downside here--but the drinks we tried were well-balanced and brightly flavored. The drink menu includes just six specialty cocktails, but the bar looks to be well-stocked for other concoctions. We didn't try the wine, but the menu offers about 6 white, 6 red, and a handful of rosés and sparkling choices as well. Draft beers are mostly local, and there are plenty of NA beers and flavored sodas too. But oh, the food! The food is amazing. The owners draw on their Vietnamese and Pakistani roots, expertly combining familiar flavors with those from all over the world. We started with the vol-au-vent duo--two pastry cups with tasty fillings--and a couple of cocktails. The day's special was bibimbap with fried chicken and beef, which was delightful. I want more dishes with that fried chicken! My partner opted for the Crying Tiger Beef, which our server said was their most popular item, and it did not disappoint. A couple more cocktails later, we left well-sated and talking about when to come back! Cheers! read more

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Mortar & Pestle was a great take on Asian fusion cuisine! I had the laksa curry, and my friends got the Korean bbq duck confit and the makhani rigatoni. The rigatoni was my top pick, followed by the duck, and then the curry. The flavors were really balanced and perfect for sharing. For the price, the portions were a bit on the smaller side, but the interior is beautiful and great for family, date night, or a girls' night out. Parking can be tricky, but the staff was incredibly sweet; even with a last-minute reservation, they made us feel welcome. My server gave fantastic recommendations. If you get a drink, you have to try the Mortar & Pestle! it's a Vietnamese twist on an espresso martini, and easily one of the best I've had in a while! read more

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Loved this place. Owner/bartender took exceptional care of me as I had no idea what I was ordering or eating. He explained it all and helped me make my choices. The food was delicious I loved every single thing I got. He was so kind and helpful. I can't wait to go back. read more

Me to our server: "We didn't like our food at all" Server/owner: "I know the food is awful, I don't know why people keep coming back" Meanwhile, our plates were LICKED clean and this was all a sarcastic joke. Listen, we were hungry, we ordered way too much food, we left miserably full. I'll start with the cocktails, I ordered a drink called Seville, if you have ever had Cava in Spain, this is exactly what you have been missing. The man got an IPA that delightfully to me, tasted nothing like beer, it was very fruity. Appetizers, we ordered 3, for 2 people. I'm telling you we got way too much food. The Focacia bread had delightful chunks of olives in it and the tapenade that came with, also very savory. The hummus trio I was very excited to try, because we have not been able to find the shishito peppers in St. Louis anywhere. A delightful spin, on top of hummus, with a hummus section covered in lamb and the third covered with zucchini, I could have eaten a plateful of this zucchini by itself. Lastly we were recommended to try the Momos over the dumplings, they were good, but I could pour that sauce on everything I eat for a month and not get tired of it. I love the flavor and the kick. For entrees, because again, we ordered way too much. I ordered the sliders because I wanted to try the chimichurri, I was not disappointed, it's creamy. And the man ordered Laksa curry based on the servers recommendation. He was sniffling a little bit at the end, but he would definitely order that again. I loved the decor, I'm a sucker for an Edison bulb and there were plenty, but still provided enough light for a good date night vibe. read more

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Won't stop talking about this place. The bartender (and I think owner??) Remy was so sweet. We called ahead by 30 minutes and she reserved a spot for us at the bar on a busy Friday. We tried the Nepalese Momo and the hummus trio - absolutely delicious!!! We both decided we wanted to drink the tomato chutney For our entrees, I ordered the Crying Tiger Beef (10/10) and my husband the Laksa Curry (11/10) Altogether the food and atmosphere was so incredible. We will be back!!! read more

Mortar & Pestle - Hummus trio, Nepalese momo - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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We found momo and a chef from Nepal IN St. Louis! After just visiting Nepal, this felt like a little culinary full circle moment in St. Louis. Of course we also ordered the gambas and shrimp toast because restraint wasn't really the vibe that day. The spot is adorable, the drinks are great, and the owners are some of the sweetest people you'll meet. It's also one of those rare restaurants where you can pull out a laptop to work. I love Macklin. read more

Mortar & Pestle - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

The food was DELICIOUS. Everything was so good! We got the hummus, potstickers and crying together beef and it was plenty of food and even had some to take home. Cocktails and wine were also very good. Highly recommend! read more

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After reading about this place in Stl Magazine, I knew it was a place I had to check out. I came on a Saturday and ended up being the first person for their dinner service. Although I had my choice of seats, I decided the bar would be best. I was greeted warmly by the owner and was given water and menus. I chatted with him briefly and asked his opinion on a few items I was looking at. To start, I got the small Caesar and the focaccia bread. The waft of aroma from the Caesar put me in a tailspin and believe me, I couldn't wait to dig in! The dressing was a big tangy but was a nice variation than the typical Caesar dressing I'm accustomed to tasting. The croutons were equally as good! A few bites into my salad is when the bread service arrived and this is what really put the service over the top. When it arrived, I was expecting it to be the standard bread and oil but it was anything but. It was a mix of capers, olive oil, and parmesan and was easily some of the best dipping oil I've ever smelled and tasted. I set my salad to the side and took bite after bite whilst conversing with the owner about our shared interest in the east coast, particularly New York and Miami( especially since I just returned from Miami a few days ago). Next thing I know, I only have two pieces left and I still never decided on an entree! I was torn between the rigatoni and crying tiger beef. He said the beef was the most popular and I told him there's no way I could even attempt to eat it. He offered to make a smaller portion and make it to go! What a gem! It wasn't much longer until my main arrived, I thanked him, paid, and was on my way. This was one of the coolest dining experiences I've had because for a while, I was the only one in there and I felt like a VIP! It's always nice when you get to hear the "why" behind the restaurant and how they came up with dishes. I loved the relaxed causal atmosphere and how friendly the owner was in engaging with the patrons. Oh, and I devoured the Crying Tiger Beef as soon as I got home. The beef was incredibly tender and I loved all the flavor the noodles had. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes but will def. pace myself accordingly! read more

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Warm, elevated neighborhood restaurant. Branded as Asian fusion, but moreso just Asian influenced cooking than anything. Some standout picks throughout but also a couple of questionable dishes. Makhani rigatoni made no sense and stuck out like a sore thumb on the menu. Bread course felt amateur. The turon dessert, which is actually a Filipino classic, was a dull, uninspired recreation. The food was bordering takeout vibes at times (not the worst thing ever). I had an enjoyable time despite all of my critiques. Decent flavors but needs a ton of refinement. Favorite dishes: Nepalese momos, shrimp toast, crying tiger beef (oily but really tasty), duck confit (very tender), sticky toffee pudding read more

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Amazing food! And great staff! I cannot wait to come back and try a few more dishes. The flavors were truly delicious. read more

Mortar & Pestle - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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My friends and I did a girls night dinner last night at the new Mortar & Pestle and we are so glad we did! Some of us had been to Copper Pig before and loved that so we were intrigued when the owners decided to open up another global restaurant. From the cocktails to the entrees, we loved everything we ordered. Owners, Nhat and Remy, were super hands on and talked to us all throughout the meal. I think the shrimp toast was all of our favorites but that Caesar salad........ incredible! I highly recommend checking out Mortar & Pestle! read more

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very nice vibe inside, super open and warmly lit but not too dark. The high top tables were fine - some low tops would have been nice, too. Staff was super nice. A couple menu items were out by the evening. But our food was still delish ESPECIALLY the rigatoni pasta. I'm hungry thinking about it. read more

Mortar & Pestle - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

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Have been excited for this place to open as I walk by the space frequently and read about the team opening it and their passion. First, the good. Service was very warm and well intentioned. Also, the momo's to start were delicious and had great heat from the dipping sauce. Now, the not so great. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since they're new, working out the kinks and have limited hours but food came out of the kitchen very slowly. That will improve. The not so good was the crying tiger beef surprisingly. The beef was not tender and cut carelessly in slightly connected large strips. Difficult to eat in a shallow bowl. The noodles, man. Where was the garlic?? Also, they were a little above room temperature and glooped together. The broccolinni left something to be desired as it was just blanched in plain, unsalted water. My chef brain works differently being from the industry myself so I'm certain this place will improve leaps and bounds over the coming months. The place was buzzing on Friday night around 6pm when I was departing. Absolutely worth a visit and I'll return once the team gets cranking. read more

I came here and didn't know what to expect. I came with a friend and then tried one thing. I thought, "Wow, that was really good." I tried another thing; I thought that was really good. Then i was like, "Wow, that was an exceptional whole meal." We shared a bunch of plates. That was probably the best meal I've had in my entire memory. Poor memory, but great meal. Now I've come back. read more

What can I say? They're specialty cocktails are delightful. I think I opted for a nonalcoholic one, but I can't remember the name. But it wasn't too sweet. It was quiet. Not too loud. No loud talkers. It's very well decorated. Not cramped. Comfortable seating. The food portion left enough for a second meal the next day. And the curry seafood soup was a nice melange of boiled shrimp and shrimp tempura. The curry was unctuous without making the broth too thick. And the sweet basil closed out the more floral notes nicely. read more

Mortar & Pestle - Mama's Curried Tom Yum Seafood Soup - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

What a wonderful neighborhood restaurant! Four of us went here Friday night and tried several items. Standouts include the potstickers and the duck dish. We found a nice bottle of Italian wine at a fair price and our friend had a vodka cocktail she loved. The ambiance was charming. Highly recommend if you're looking for delicious Asian flavors with a creative twist. read more

Truly an awesome dining experience. The menu will have us coming back for more. The drinks were outstanding. The service and care that was put into our order was top notch. Makes for a 10/10 date night spot. read more

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Wow! A happy accident that my partner and I ended up at this lovely restaurant. We will be back. Great vibe, friendly staff, great cocktails and excellent fresh flavorful food! Bravo!!! read more

We had an incredible experience last night at Mortar and Pestle! The staff was genuinely welcoming and the vibe was upscale, but relaxed (not pretentious) and they played super fun music that instantly put everyone in a good mood. We had a large party and therefore were able to try almost everything on the menu. EVERY dish was layered with flavor. I couldn't choose a favorite...it was all so delicious! A highlight of the night was when the owner stopped by our table to chat. You could immediately tell how invested she is in every guests experience. Her passion and pride in the restaurant made the evening feel even more special! My absolute new favorite!! Thank you RemyWe will definitely be back! read more

Mortar & Pestle - Crying Tiger Beef - Pakistani Near Me - St. Louis, Missouri

The food was delicious and excellent service at the bar for us tonight. The shrimp toast is a must. I noticed the choices of wine are unique and enjoyable. We ate 4 starters including the homemade dumplings. I'm sure we will return with friends. read more

The staff was super nice and we enjoyed the relaxed vibe of the restaurant. Food & Drinks were amazing will definitely be going here again. Entree: Makhani Rigatoni Cocktails: Mortar & Pestle - Espresso Martini Copper Pig read more

Soooo glad to see a restaurant back in this amazing inviting space. And a great one at that!! Ian Froeb did not miss the mark - everything was fabulous. We started with the vol-au-vent stuffed with all kinds of wonderful. The ba-bim-bap main had so many great bites it's hard to describe and the eggplant kabobs were really terrific. Such friendly attention to service detail from everyone was lovely. Welcome back!!! read more

Dinner at Mortar & Pestle was incredible! The staff was wonderful, the restaurant itself inside is beautiful. Everything was so flavorful. Nhat & Remy have opened a wonderful new spot. We cannot wait to come back! read more

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If I could give more than five stars, I would. The ambiance was upscale and laidback. The service was great as well. The bartender is a wizard or something. I could not stop drinking their cocktails. The copper pig (clever), girl with green eyes, and their self titled espresso martini (mortar and pestle) were all a slam dunk. I wanna come back just to get drunk! and they obviously must have mad scientists in the back coming up with all these flavors. This place is magical. My new favorite restaurant by far. We had about half the entire menu, and nothing missed. i could have cried. shrimp toast, enoki, and momos to start. their Caesar salad. and then the rigatoni, duck confit, and kabobs. 12/10. will be back soon. read more

Absolutely loved our dinner here. Everyone in the group enjoyed every bite of flavor filled food and every sip of our delicious cocktails. Owners are friendly and welcoming. Great new restaurant and can't wait to come again. read more

This restaurant is one I have bragged about ever since eating there. I love how everything on the menu is something I want to try. I had the rigatoni and it was amazing, they added lamb on top which I definitely recommend. Thank you for this awesome spot! read more