Graphite was a wonderful surprise and a standout dining experience in Columbia. I love that the…read morerestaurant's name is a nod to the building's history as a former schoolhouse, which now beautifully houses both the Principal Hotel and Graphite. Both feel like elevated, unexpected gems in a small town. I ordered the fried chicken dinner with the half chicken portion, and it was absolutely delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful with perfectly crispy, crunchy skin. The service was excellent, and our waitstaff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the evening. The restaurant itself was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The restrooms were also spotless and well maintained. It is clear that a lot of care goes into every aspect of the guest experience. My only minor criticism is the size of the drink glasses. Once ice is added, there is not much room left for the actual beverage. My parents found themselves needing refills more frequently than they typically would at other restaurants. It was not a major issue, but slightly larger glasses might make things more convenient for both guests and staff. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and will definitely be back. Graphite is a true hidden gem that offers great food, excellent service, and a unique atmosphere.

Service was good but bartender should have seen that we eat very little of the food and left the go…read morecontainer because neither one of us wanted to take it home and throw it away.... Being observant is part of great service... ambiance has a lot to come desired way to many young teenage girls running around...not what I'd expect for a couple of drinks and $100 tab! Been there three times drinks are always good but the food has been subpar every time! Had three appetizers stuffed portabella mushrooms I'd give a 3 no taste, Mac and cheese bites dry and tasteless a 2 (bought some at schnucks a few weeks ago and they were much better) the steak skewers maybe a 2.5 had so much what they called pesto which looked and tasted like wet grass, once we removed the wet grass the steak was over cooked but well seasoned... My suggestion would be to hire a new chef and decide a direction or speciality focus (Italian, American or gastro pub and stick with it! Sorry but third strike you're out, we won't be back! Until we hear you've made some major changes!

Food was fire. View was amazing. Service was great. Cute…read morepatio in front for the view and in back too, just cute back there. Super cute date spot. Great place to stop after a hike on the bluffs!

This is one of our favorite venues to see our friends sing at…read more They have a plethora of drink options and bar food. I feel like they always are out of certain ingredients for particular drinks so I haven't had a chance to try a select few yet. My go to when this happens is their berry sangria. Pricing isn't bad. This place gets packed and the seating is limited. I suggest throwing chairs in your car in case. Service is iffy. Sometimes they are attentive, sometimes you're waiting forever. Best time to go is when the weather is nice out so you can catch the gorgeous sunset.

It's like drinking in a friend's basement, but drinking carefully crafted cocktails!…read more The mixologists were fun, inviting, and really made us feel at home. That coupled with the great drinks they are serving up make this such a fun place! The place is small, so be sure to make a reservation, you will be glad you did!

Drinks were good and fun atmosphere. We had a difficult time finding it which added to a fun…read moreexperience. The current set up was closing and change to open back up in February.

Alicia is the best bartender at top shooters. She is so friendly. Her customer service is second to…read morenone. She makes the experience better with her personality and she makes it seem like you've known her forever.

One of my first times stopping in at what's quickly becoming a St Louis landmark with a large…read morefollowing on Instagram. Coming to this Columbia, Illinois hot spot and enjoying the atmosphere you can see why. Be prepared to seeing it totally packed on the weekends. I wanted to see the two bartenders I personally consider the stars of the venue Abigail and Kassidy. As beautiful and talented as you obviously see they are it's their guest service and personalities win the day. Two sweeter and more genuine individuals I challenge you to find anywhere. I'm going to be 100% honest I actually do get nervous coming into see them. It's hard to imagine seeing two angels on Earth. All the girls rock and provide premier service. I lived in St Louis for 14 years and I must say this would definitely be my spot if I still lived in the area. With Abigail and Kassidy it's like coming back and seeing friends I've known. I get that impression it's their style with all guest. I travel the country and these two are my two favorites anywhere. I'd highly recommend if you're a first timer you request them. They're hard working and get their business done. And tip the well!!! They deserve it. Thank you. Michael J Beal Clearwater, Florida.

I've been in twice from out of town. It's the perfect spot to hang out if you are by yourself or…read moremeeting a friend for happy hour. The vibe is cool, laid back and classy. On my visit this week I had the $9 HH smashburger and a glass of rose. It was the perfect way to unwind after a busy day. Love that it's quiet, chill and no tvs. TYTY!!!!

The service was unfortunately very disappointing. I'm not sure of our server's name, but throughout…read morethe meal he never once responded with a simple "you're welcome" after we thanked him. He also rushed us while we were trying to look over the menu and didn't give us enough time to decide what we wanted. At the end of the meal, I asked for my change back since, unfortunately, the level of service did not warrant a tip. When he returned with the change, he didn't say a single word. The entire experience felt cold and disrespectful. This was especially disappointing because this restaurant has been a birthday tradition for my friends and me for years. We've always enjoyed coming here, so it was unfortunate to have such a poor experience on what should have been a special occasion.

I love looking for a new (to me) speakeasy to visit. This one popped up during my search for…read moresomething to do neaby... sooo, why not?!? The dimply lit space was open, with plenty of intimate/cozy seating areas. Service was great & we enjoyed the cocktail options & appreciated the use of fresh herbs. I'd like to stop back when we have more time vs a quick stop-in... soon, soon

Such a cool place! The staff were great. The atmosphere was really neat and intimate. The drinks…read morewere great. Highly recommend it. Be sure to check their instagram for the daily password.

For a cocktail bar, I give this place 5/5 stars. The alcoholic and alcohol free cocktails are…read moredelicious and the vibe is immaculate. I particularly like how the menu has illustrations of the cocktails so you know how they are served. Plus everything is seasonal! For food, I give it a 4/5. The appetizers, including the cauliflower, onion rings, and poutine are excellent but the entree menu is limited to mostly sandwiches and I've found the entrees just ok-to-good for the price. It's easy to walk in for lunch but I recommend a reservation for dinner to avoid the chaos!

I've had several recommendations for this spot from friends and colleagues. I finally had the…read moreopportunity to stop in for brunch. I'm disappointed that it took me so long to make my way here. They won me over with the tiny dedicated parking lot. At my big age, difficult parking situations are a turn off and I will go home if I can't get reasonable parking. I was able to snag a space in the lot and headed in. The space is a bit dark with rich sage, brass, and terracotta. There are several hanging plants making it an inviting place. The bar has plenty of comfortable seating and cozy tables if you decide to bring some friends. Caleb was our server during our visit. He was an absolute delight. He made excellent cocktail suggestions. He looked after our group without being overly doting. Just a gem of a human. We tried approximately 9 cocktails during our visit. Did I mention we were at brunch! I highly recommend the peach bite and the Side Car. Every cocktail is thoughtfully made and well executed. They offer a small brunch menu along with the regular menu. I usually always get chilaquiles when they are available. But today the ruby trout and grits sounded perfect. This dish was amazing!! The trout was thin with crispy skin. The grits were creamy and delicious. The dish is topped with a house made radish pico and salsa macha. We also ordered a breakfast sandwich that was paired with the crispiest breakfast potatoes I've ever had. The burger and fries are also a good option. The seasoning on the fries is next level. The brunch menu has a sticky toffee roll that is a perfect size for sharing or not. Salty sweet fork tender cinnamon roll. Lastly, the deviled eggs were a group favorite. I am a big fan of Passenger Chili Crisp. If you are unfamiliar please look them up! It's hands down the best chili crisp I've ever had. It's locally made here in STL and can also be found in several dishes at restaurants around town. The eggs were creamy with the right amount of tang from the mustard. The chili crisp made these deviled eggs easily top five best I've ever had! Planning to stop in again soon for happy hour with more friends

Cute little spot. Off elm near 44. We came without…read morereservations but were able to grab the bar by the window. Have an extensive cocktail menu. Ordered a couple drinks. Server checked on us & made recommendations on drinks when asked. They have some unique cocktails which was nice for a change from the standard cocktail. They had fun ice cubes with the name etched in them.

Off Elm? Yep, it's just two doors down on Big Bend and they're laughing and having a party…read more The staff of bartenders are from STL Barkeep, so you instantly know the cocktails are masterfully made. I came for a HH and enjoyed three different cocktails. My first was a Gold Rush. It's basically a Bees Knees with Vodka instead of Gin. It was light and refreshing, making it a great start. The second cocktail was one of my all-time favorites, a Old Fashioned. I can honestly say, it was one of the best, if not the absolute best one I have ever had. I finished the HH with a Espresso Martini. It was a good ending to my HH. They use a Cold Brew instead of true espresso, so it had a milder coffee taste. My nosh while drinking was a, Jalapeño Popper Dip. It was okay, in my opinion, it did not fit the description on the menu. Especially, the type of chips described. My friend ordered, The Small Board and it was fantastic and a good value. Our bartenders were friendly and as I stated earlier, they are masters of their skill. What stopped them from getting a 5 Star review, is simple. They do not offer a Martini on their Happy Hour Menu. I'm a Martini Man and that disappointed me, but it wont keep me away, it just keeps them short of 5 Stars.