Riddle's Penultimate Cafe & Wine Bar

Overpriced garbage! I'm sure as a bar, it's fine..but the food was completely subpar. A chicken breast with some sauce slopped on for $21? Vegetable soup, which I suspected was V8, and a side. The place was packed, but there is no accounting for taste, or dead taste buds!! And the interior was fugly. more

I've been visiting Riddles periodically whenever I find myself in the St. Louis area for a number of years. It is a truly enjoyable place to visit and never fails to offer an inviting environment and a fun experience. Riddles is the kind of rare place that cannot be categorized or pigeon-holed -- you never know who you will find there on a given night. The crowd changes with the musical guest (which is generally of high quality), but even the entertainment cannot predict the diverse clientele you may find at Riddles on a given night.\r \r In particular, I have been drawn to Riddles again and again by the incomparable performances of Ptah Williams and his jazz trio. He is a true St. Louis treasure and a virtuoso entertainer, and if you find yourself in St. Louis on a Wednesday night you should not pass up the chance to see one of his unforgettable shows. The opportunity to find such a talented musician in an intimate environment such as Riddles is a rare treat indeed. Pros: atmosphere, friendly, fun, diverse, stimulating, interesting, exciting Cons: small, loud more

subject says it all! date/people watching/music-anytime kinda place. dessert menu changes everyday and nothing twice in one month. a must see for anyone new to the area. Pros: dessert, wine by glass/bottle, music Cons: can get pricey if you dont pay attention more

I've no real complaints about Riddles, but if you go when there's live music, sit near the back of the restaurant if you plan on dining and talking. The menu changes daily, but the food is always fresh, even the butter nut squash. EXTENSIVE wine list (didn't order any) and a boldness and creativity in the menu selections are center stage here. The friendly wait staff is young (remember, this is a college part of STL), so don't expect white glove service. The price is more than your average place, but I believe it's well worth it. We go when we have extra money to burn -- that is to say, not often. But enough to make it special. Pros: Fresh, tasty food, Ever-changing menu, HUGE wine list Cons: Street parking more

Dined Saturday 12/6/2003, Food was incredible... but the cellar is a thing of beauty. Did a 1985 Heitz Martha's Vineyard (98 W/S) it was perfectly cellared. On the disappointing side was the stemware, a restaurant with a list of this caliber should at least have Riedel knockoffs. We had to drink out of brandy snifters to get a semblance of bowl size. Andy himself is a treasure and a sincere, dedicated purveyor of food and spirits. Riddles should be your first choice for St. Louis dining... But bring your own glasses. Pros: Wine List, Cellar Conditions, Fresh Everything Cons: , Atmosphere more

The wine was excellent, but the meal was disappointing. It was a little too gourmet for our tastes. We're sure it was prepared properly, but if you're not a gourmand, this might not be the place for you. The chocolate raspberry ice cream was good and our waiter was excellent. The staff generally appeared to be unkempt and were quite boisterous, without regard to the diners. Pros: Good waiter, Good ice cream, Good wine Cons: Boisterous staff more

Besides the gigantic selection of wines (pages upon pages, including a $1000 bottle from 1982) there are a lot of beers from England, Belgium, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It's overpriced, though. Blueberry Hill has most of the beers and is cheaper, though you will wait longer Pros: Good service, Huge selection, Live bands Cons: Expensive more

yes it does have an extensive, well chosen wine list, and the food is good... but NOT out of this world. I have been there for lunch and dinner, and ordered the same dish... it is exactly the same size, with the same number of brocolli on it, yet I paid $5.00 more for dinner?! I don't quite understand that. I have been to better restaurants that charge the same amount of money, provide the same quality, if not better, and do give a little more in quantity. Not as hyped up to be. Pros: nice sidewalk dining, great wine list, (sometimes) friendly Cons: pricy, too hyped, forgetful waitstaff more

Excellent homemade ice cream, wines, and food from local farmers. Live entertainment is second to none. If you are looking for a unique dining experience, I recommend Riddles! more