Cardwell’s fuses the warmth & comfort of a neighborhood bistro with the elegance & attention to detail of fine dining. They appreciate what a restaurant experience can do to enhance the human spirit - how the clink of toasting Bordeaux glasses, the aroma of savories from a wood-burning oven, the relaxed mood set by candlelight & a rustic setting can turn the ritual of “going out to eat” into a celebration of food & good company. A distinct American spirit is applied to all dishes while continuously offering guests surprises with both preparation & presentation. With a special devotion to local ingredients, the menu boasts both the heart of comfort food & the flair & balance of culinary complexity. Cardwell’s offers ample portions, hearty flavors, the spark of jazz & lively table conversation while delivering attentive service.
"Cardwell's is always great. While there are some popular items, such as the Vietnamese-style stir fry, that remain, the menu changes regularly. Everything I've had there has been extraordinary."
Dined on 6/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"We dined early in the evening, so the noise level was perfect. My mussels were prepared well - the "sauce" that went with them was good enough for me to have to ask for a spoon to "slurp" it. My husband's crab cakes were "okay.""
Dined on 6/11/2013
2003
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"We have dinner at Cardwell's at the Plaza about once a week, usually as a "date night" together with a movie at the Landmark Theater in Frontenac Plaza. The meals are always appetizing, the service friendly and prompt, and we very much appreicate how readily special dietary needs are accommodated."
Dined on 6/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, special occasion
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"waiter hardly gave us the time of day. we ordered a bottle of wine and it took 15 minutes for the wine to be delivered. we then had to track him down to place a food order and to ask for bread. not once after the food arrived did he stop to check on us, refill the wine, nothing. love the place but the service left a lot to be desired."
Dined on 6/06/2013
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"Make sure not to sit in the bar. The main part of the restaurant is quiet and lovely. I had the pork tenderloin and my friend the salmon. We both started with smoked shrimp. All was excellent as was the service."
Dined on 5/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Cardwell's has interesting food and great service. They are accommodating. I took my aunt and cousins out for birthdays. They put us in a separate room without me asking. Waiter brought water to all even though some of us ordered drinks too: we didn't have to ask."
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Went for a business lunch. Food was a bit overcooked and filled with more oil than was needed for the dish. The specials, I had to ask for. They didn't have enough menus. And it took a lot of time to get our food. Overall, it was quite loud - though we sat closer to the shopping area. . Wouldn't go here if you have to have an audible business conversation. The highlight was the reservations. That worked out well, thanks to OpenTable. Pricing is about average. Expect to pay a little bit more if you order the specials. Service was about average as well. They did refill our drinks in a timely manner."
Dined on 5/16/2013
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"Loved our Mothers day inner at Cardell's. despite the Mother's Day crowds, the service was friendly and efficient. Food,as always, was delicious and beautifrully presented. Cardwell's is one of our favorites."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for lunch, special occasion
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"We enjoyed our dinner. The menu offers a broad set of choices without being overwhelming. Everyone should be able to find something. Portions are properly sized and timing is good. The dishes were rich in flavor and still revealed many subtleties. The wine list is very nice and accompanies the meal choices well. We have been several times and found the restaurant to be consistent on all fronts. The experience is higher end without burning a hole in your wallet. We will definitely be returning."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"My friend and I met for lunch at Cardwell's. She arrived before I did. I was pleased to find that she had already chosen a patio table. It was a beautiful day and a lovely place to have lunch. It was quiet and the tables were spaced far enough apart that I felt we could have a private conversation. The food was good (veggie burger and fries) and the Bloody Mary I ordered was very nice with two great big green olives (my favorite). I don't often order a drink with lunch, but the atmosphere was conducive to a relaxing mid-day diversion. Overall, a very enjoyable outing!"
Dined on 5/01/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, great for lunch
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"The food and the service were excellent, as always, and the atmosphere is elegant but relaxed. The staff are very professional and friendly as well. The prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the entire experience."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Consistently good food and service. Had the seafood stew. I order the stews frequently andl like that the preparation changes. The only suggestion I have is that the last few times salmon was included in the stew and I don't think salmon works in seafood stew. I prefer a firm white fish. I always ask the server to omit the salmon and substitute with a white fish and they always accomodate
My husband had the pork chop and enjoyed it as well"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Cardwell's has generally had good food and menu choices and this visit did not disappoint in that area. My complaint with Cardwell's is the lack of quality servers. You just don't find experienced servers that really understand what a fine dining experience should include. Since it has been this way for many years, I assume this is a management issue. With other fine dining establishments, it is usually easy to find servers that have been there for many years and you find a favorite and request them for every visit. Unfortunately this has never been the case here. We have dined there probably 20-30 times in the past few years and have never had a server that was worth requesting again."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2009
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"After reading the reviews, Iwas surprised at how below average this place is. The noise level is very loud especially toward the mall door. The service was abrupt with hurried waiters running by and no hint of friendliness. To top all this the food was mediocre at best. If you are very old (I am over 60) and cannot taste anymore and cannot hear this is the place that this group must have been rating high. I would not go back."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"I had requested a private booth during my reservation. The receptionist was aware of this request and accomodated it to my satisfaction. The waiter was attentive but not intrusive."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch
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"Cardwell's is always a favorite. Took a guest from out of town and she was delighted to return."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Cardwell's has an enticing menu and the service is very polite and efficient. The decor is artistic and sophisticated while the ambiance is comfortable and warm. All of my many visits there have been quality experiences."
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"Upon arrival at Cardwell's, we had to wait approximately 15 minutes for our reservation. Our waiter, who barely spoke to us, appeared to be mad about something unrelated to our service. We found the food to be just average and we were surprised that this restaurant appeared to be so popular.
My husband and I travel often and have eaten in numerous restaurants from those offering a fine dining experience to the more lowly diner. We believe that Cardwell's high rating on Open Table is related more to their proximity to shopping as they are located in a high end shopping mall, then their cuisine. There are many other better restaurants in the St. Louis area."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2012
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"Last visit was birthday celebration and Cardwell's at the Plaza again proved itself to be one of the best restaurants in St. Louis. It is our first response whenever someone asks "Where can I get a really good meal in St. Louis?" Cardwell's is second to none."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion
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