Sat shoulder to shoulder with strangers on a bench. Very pricy for mediocre food. The beef was dry and chewy and I didn't expect to get dry, uncooked polenta when I ordered my dish. No wonder it's closing
Chaffja99
We went for the New Year's Day brunch buffet. The restaurant was empty. Our server regularly disappeared. The food was okay, but not worth the price. Overall, it was a strange dining experience.
Purchased a last minute reservation on OpenTable with an upgraded caviar for $250. With the caviar was 2x$50New Years Fete. I must have not read everything because when the bill came I owed $800 lol!!! I was expecting to pay $250 plus drinks for a fun caviar once off and paid an additional $500. It was a shock and a lesson! I did not feel it was worth it but it was hilarious having 5 people come to the table to explain the bill was not incorrectly charged. Ugh, I don't know if there was print explaining the fee structure when I purchased this, there wasn't on the receipt, but I will charge this as fraud and see what happens. Good times!!!
MatthewP
Had Lisa as my server she informed us on all the food on how it's cooked prepared and its origin. She made the night easy as could be for my first time at cinder. I will travel back to St. Louis for this restaurant again!
MichelleA
I am in STL every other weekend to visit my son and granddaughter. We eat out every meal. My son has eaten at Cinder House many times and tells me it has great food, so I made reservations for Christmas Day. We will not be returning to eat at Cinder House again. First, when making the reservation on Open Table there were two options for Christmas Day, the $105 Christmas Brunch or Standard Menu. I chose standard menu for us. Once we were seated at 1:50 for our 1:30 reservation, our waiter told us that we could only get the brunch, that standard menu was not an option. Being 1:30 on Christmas Day and having a 5 yr old and 15 yr old that were hungry, we didn't feel we had much choice in that we didn't know where else we would be able to go to eat without a reservation. As such we decided to go ahead with the the brunch. I asked if I could just get a couple of chicken strips and fries for the 5 yr old as she doesn't eat a lot. The answer was, I would have to pay the $40 for the brunch for her. So, I paid $40 for 2 chicken strips, a small handful of fries and a small lemonade. As far as the rest of the brunch, I had a shrimp cocktail that had 3 shrimp in a jar with cocktail sauce at the bottom that was so watered down from the frozen shrimp they had stuck in the jar, that it was tasteless. I also had bland scrambled eggs and bacon, a slice of flavorless prime rib, cheese, and a small piece of smoked salmon which was very good. There were 4 of us, 3 who had the $105 brunch that we didn't want , didn't choose and really was not that good. What was the real kicker was that as we went from our table to get the food, we noticed a couple by the bar with a menu and then saw that they had ordered and received food from the menu. I asked the host who seated us why there was an option to choose standard menu and why that couple was able to order from the menu. He acted flustered and said he didn't know but would check into it. He never did. Our bill, $440. I won't be back.
Made ala carte reservations for breakfast on Christmas Day on open table. Selected A la carte not brunch. Arrived and was told it was brunch or nothing. Reservations after 9a were brunch we were told. That was not what was offered on open table. So our breakfast turned into $105/ person brunch. Very unfortunate.
DocFoot
Excellent as always. We had the filet and the scallops. Cheesecake for dessert. Both entrees done very well. However, very sorry to hear they will be closing in 3 months. Guess the Four Season wants to redo and rebrand the restaurant. I will miss Cinder House!
Lucia Hassell
The ambiance , space , view and vibe was to noch. However, I was not impressed by the food at brunch. We went on a Saturday and there was hardly anyone there. The menu is limited and it was apparent that the bread and all you can eat charcuterie items had been sitting out for a while and needed to be refreshed [ie. The cheese was turning hard around the edges and danishes were stale]. A few of my colleagues ordered a la cart meals and those were fine but still overpriced in my opinion. The bartender was nice and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
DinnerForTwo
We were seated immediately. Drink order taken and wine arrived timely, however after that, things went down hill fast. We ordered an appetizer that took about 20 mins to receive. It was potato chips and an onion dip that was already prepared, not sure why it took 20 mins when the restaurant only had about 5 other tables to care for. Then the entree, one filet, one pork chop. Well over an hour wait. The staff came by the table several times acknowledging the delay and said they would cover the cost of our drinks, which we appreciated. When the entrees arrived it was another 15 mins before they realized they took our silverware and could not start eating without them. I'm not sure what happened in the kitchen, but for us it ruined a really good tasting birthday meal.
Jenimax
This was only our second time in and it was once again, incredible. Eric was our server again and he didn't disappoint at all. Fabulous service and suggestions and all with a kind smile. The food is incredible, my favorite steak in StL. The restaurant was beautiful with a gorgeous view and subtle Christmas music playing. It was a very dreamy night with my hubby.
Kori our server was absolutely amazing! She helped us through our first time dining at the cinder house! The restaurant itself made sure to wish my mom happy birthday multiple times throughout our dinner. Amazing service & food! Wish we would be able to come back after the new year.
Cindy Holtmann
Very elegant establishment. Staff is supreme. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant didn't seem to be prepare for the influx from our conference. Made a 7pm reservation and received a text that my table was ready. I arrived and it was no longer available so we sat and ordered drinks. That issue alone would've been acceptable, but our service was also very slow. Despite us enjoying ourselves in conversation, we couldn't help but notice that it took a while to take and serve our orders. Then, one order needed to be adjusted and it took almost 30min for it to come back at which point we had to leave for an event. The manager was accommodating, but one of us left hungry, and after 9pm. Finally, my meal (scallops and kale caesar) left me with an upset stomach which nearly ruined my night.
Davidfromllinois
We dinned for Thanksgiving afternoon dinner...I was well aware of the price fix dinner and menu...the presentation was nice but the size of the portions I would contend were average at best...however, there was an automatic 20% gratuity included which I overlooked when the bill arrived...definitely my fault for not checking closely but also that is rare on small parties and we only had three people so I would say a bit deceptive...I added a similar percentage so the tip for our party was extravagant...again, my fault for not checking but somehow I believe we should have been advised of that when the check arrived so I'm quite displeased and wont' go back....but future diners should be aware that is slipped into the bill with no notice...not nice on management's part thus won't be dining her again.
Kelly C.
Really special spot, great for date night! Obviously has a great view of the Arch. The mushroom appetizer and lamb ribs were amazing- best mushrooms I've ever had in my life. Great cocktails and desserts too. Excellent service. Located within the Four Seasons hotel- valet parking is discounted to $10- if you mention it to your waiter, they will add it to your bill, but don't forget cash for tipping the valet! It was an expensive meal, but I'd definitely recommend for something special if you're visiting St. Louis.
Sat shoulder to shoulder with strangers on a bench. Very pricy for mediocre food. The beef was dry and chewy and I didn't expect to get dry, uncooked polenta when I ordered my dish. No wonder it's closing
We went for the New Year's Day brunch buffet. The restaurant was empty. Our server regularly disappeared. The food was okay, but not worth the price. Overall, it was a strange dining experience.
Purchased a last minute reservation on OpenTable with an upgraded caviar for $250. With the caviar was 2x$50New Years Fete. I must have not read everything because when the bill came I owed $800 lol!!! I was expecting to pay $250 plus drinks for a fun caviar once off and paid an additional $500. It was a shock and a lesson! I did not feel it was worth it but it was hilarious having 5 people come to the table to explain the bill was not incorrectly charged. Ugh, I don't know if there was print explaining the fee structure when I purchased this, there wasn't on the receipt, but I will charge this as fraud and see what happens. Good times!!!
Had Lisa as my server she informed us on all the food on how it's cooked prepared and its origin. She made the night easy as could be for my first time at cinder. I will travel back to St. Louis for this restaurant again!
I am in STL every other weekend to visit my son and granddaughter. We eat out every meal. My son has eaten at Cinder House many times and tells me it has great food, so I made reservations for Christmas Day. We will not be returning to eat at Cinder House again. First, when making the reservation on Open Table there were two options for Christmas Day, the $105 Christmas Brunch or Standard Menu. I chose standard menu for us. Once we were seated at 1:50 for our 1:30 reservation, our waiter told us that we could only get the brunch, that standard menu was not an option. Being 1:30 on Christmas Day and having a 5 yr old and 15 yr old that were hungry, we didn't feel we had much choice in that we didn't know where else we would be able to go to eat without a reservation. As such we decided to go ahead with the the brunch. I asked if I could just get a couple of chicken strips and fries for the 5 yr old as she doesn't eat a lot. The answer was, I would have to pay the $40 for the brunch for her. So, I paid $40 for 2 chicken strips, a small handful of fries and a small lemonade. As far as the rest of the brunch, I had a shrimp cocktail that had 3 shrimp in a jar with cocktail sauce at the bottom that was so watered down from the frozen shrimp they had stuck in the jar, that it was tasteless. I also had bland scrambled eggs and bacon, a slice of flavorless prime rib, cheese, and a small piece of smoked salmon which was very good. There were 4 of us, 3 who had the $105 brunch that we didn't want , didn't choose and really was not that good. What was the real kicker was that as we went from our table to get the food, we noticed a couple by the bar with a menu and then saw that they had ordered and received food from the menu. I asked the host who seated us why there was an option to choose standard menu and why that couple was able to order from the menu. He acted flustered and said he didn't know but would check into it. He never did. Our bill, $440. I won't be back.
Made ala carte reservations for breakfast on Christmas Day on open table. Selected A la carte not brunch. Arrived and was told it was brunch or nothing. Reservations after 9a were brunch we were told. That was not what was offered on open table. So our breakfast turned into $105/ person brunch. Very unfortunate.
Excellent as always. We had the filet and the scallops. Cheesecake for dessert. Both entrees done very well. However, very sorry to hear they will be closing in 3 months. Guess the Four Season wants to redo and rebrand the restaurant. I will miss Cinder House!
The ambiance , space , view and vibe was to noch. However, I was not impressed by the food at brunch. We went on a Saturday and there was hardly anyone there. The menu is limited and it was apparent that the bread and all you can eat charcuterie items had been sitting out for a while and needed to be refreshed [ie. The cheese was turning hard around the edges and danishes were stale]. A few of my colleagues ordered a la cart meals and those were fine but still overpriced in my opinion. The bartender was nice and helpful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
We were seated immediately. Drink order taken and wine arrived timely, however after that, things went down hill fast. We ordered an appetizer that took about 20 mins to receive. It was potato chips and an onion dip that was already prepared, not sure why it took 20 mins when the restaurant only had about 5 other tables to care for. Then the entree, one filet, one pork chop. Well over an hour wait. The staff came by the table several times acknowledging the delay and said they would cover the cost of our drinks, which we appreciated. When the entrees arrived it was another 15 mins before they realized they took our silverware and could not start eating without them. I'm not sure what happened in the kitchen, but for us it ruined a really good tasting birthday meal.
This was only our second time in and it was once again, incredible. Eric was our server again and he didn't disappoint at all. Fabulous service and suggestions and all with a kind smile. The food is incredible, my favorite steak in StL. The restaurant was beautiful with a gorgeous view and subtle Christmas music playing. It was a very dreamy night with my hubby.
Restaurantji Recommends
Kori our server was absolutely amazing! She helped us through our first time dining at the cinder house! The restaurant itself made sure to wish my mom happy birthday multiple times throughout our dinner. Amazing service & food! Wish we would be able to come back after the new year.
Very elegant establishment. Staff is supreme. Can't wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The restaurant didn't seem to be prepare for the influx from our conference. Made a 7pm reservation and received a text that my table was ready. I arrived and it was no longer available so we sat and ordered drinks. That issue alone would've been acceptable, but our service was also very slow. Despite us enjoying ourselves in conversation, we couldn't help but notice that it took a while to take and serve our orders. Then, one order needed to be adjusted and it took almost 30min for it to come back at which point we had to leave for an event. The manager was accommodating, but one of us left hungry, and after 9pm. Finally, my meal (scallops and kale caesar) left me with an upset stomach which nearly ruined my night.
We dinned for Thanksgiving afternoon dinner...I was well aware of the price fix dinner and menu...the presentation was nice but the size of the portions I would contend were average at best...however, there was an automatic 20% gratuity included which I overlooked when the bill arrived...definitely my fault for not checking closely but also that is rare on small parties and we only had three people so I would say a bit deceptive...I added a similar percentage so the tip for our party was extravagant...again, my fault for not checking but somehow I believe we should have been advised of that when the check arrived so I'm quite displeased and wont' go back....but future diners should be aware that is slipped into the bill with no notice...not nice on management's part thus won't be dining her again.
Really special spot, great for date night! Obviously has a great view of the Arch. The mushroom appetizer and lamb ribs were amazing- best mushrooms I've ever had in my life. Great cocktails and desserts too. Excellent service. Located within the Four Seasons hotel- valet parking is discounted to $10- if you mention it to your waiter, they will add it to your bill, but don't forget cash for tipping the valet! It was an expensive meal, but I'd definitely recommend for something special if you're visiting St. Louis.