Ask George: What are the most romantic restaurant tables in St. Louis? —Dennis W., St. Louis
I'll do you one better. Here are the table numbers at the most romantic restaurants in the city (and some of the more popular restaurants to boot). When I was in the biz back in the 90s, guests would request specific tables all the time—and we accommodated. With the sophisticated reservation software available today, accommodating a particular "don't move" table is that much easier, so don't hesitate asking front desk staffers for something specific. All of them can fulfill such a request--provided they want to.
It's also worthwhile inquiring about tables in the bar area. While a bit more out in the open, they are oftentimes some of the best tables in the house...and often reservable, just for the asking.
While it may be to late to secure a primo table for Valentine's Day weekend, keep this list handy, as romance knows no day, week, or season.
Dinner:
- Booth (B9) in restaurant away from the bar) or booth (B48) in the bar but away from the action, at 801 Chophouse
- Booth (B65) in restaurant overlooking raw bar) or booth (B16), last one in the bar, adjacent to private room at 801 Fish
- Corner of the back room, if open (#51); table in front window #12) in main room at Acero
- Fireplace tables (#15 & 16 inside; #53 in the atrium) at Annie Gunn’s
- Corner deuce banquette (#33) at atlas
- Dimly-lit corner table (#21) at avenue
- Corner, curtained booth (#15) at Aya Sofia
- Partially-hidden table in a quiet corner (#10) next to a window at Balaban's
- Window deuces (#14 and 22) in the main room and the deuce (#8) under the tapestry in the chartreuse room at Bar Les Frères
- Back corner booths (#15 and #45) at Basso
- Window banquette (#5) or the cozy corner table (#2) at Big Sky Café
- Round booth in the corner (#414) at Bonefish Grill
- Corner deuces (#80 and 84) at Boundary (opening approx Feb 8 at The Cheshire)
- Corner banquette tables next to partitions (#1, #7, and #10) are the quietest ones at Brasserie by Niche
- Window table (#83) in the main room; two booths (#10 and #21) in the darkly-lit Gin Room at Café Natasha’s
- Any of the deuces on the window (#22-24) at Cafe Napoli
- All the back booths (#51-55 and #61-65) at Cardwell’s in Clayton lend themselves to conversation
- Corner booth (#15) at newly-remodeled Carmine’s Steakhouse
- Corner booth (“The Gitto’s Booth”) at Charlie Gitto's on the Hill.
- Dark, U-shaped booth (#13) at Walnut Grill (staffers call it “the make-out booth”)
- Three options at Cielo, all memorable: tables by the fireplace; the private Gaja Wine Room; and the two windowside tables (#45 and #46) in the back of Cielo's main room.
- Six, semi-secluded tables (#50-55) along the window at Cooper’s Hawk
- Large green tufted booth (#41), overlooking the dining room, at the Copper Pig
- Cozy little deuce (#34) at The Crossing
- Table in dining room (#2) between two gold palm trees; large red banquette in the front window is romantic, too, but not secluded, at Curtain Call. No website yet, call 314-657-5050.
- Either table #400 (in the mirrored room) or #2 (the table with a painting above it called "The Proposal") at Dominic's on the Hill
- Table underneath the unusual chandelier (#34) at Elaia
- Any of the perimeter booths (#41-45) at Element
- A fireplace table (like #51) at Eleven Eleven Mississippi
- Corner table in the bar (#34) or deuce near window in main room (#11) at Farmhaus
- Window deuce (#22) at Five Bistro
- Deuces at back of main dining room (#7 and 9) at Fleur de Lilies
- The elevated booth in the main room (#15) or the window deuce (#7), both in the main room at Gamlin Whiskey House
- Mid-wall table (#74) at Giovanni’s Kitchen
- Either of the two larger tables (#1 or #2) in the front alcove at Giovanni's on the Hill
- Rounded, corner booth (#158) at Herbie's Vintage 72
- Back booths (#8 and #9) at Hiro Asian Kitchen
- Tables (#26-27), back of restaurant overlooking patio at J McArthur’s
- Corner banquette table (#10) at I Fratellini (Sit same side, facing out.)
- Round corner booth (#15) at Il Bel Lago
- Back right corner table (#51) at Juniper
- One of several window side deuces (like #52) at Kemoll's
- Corner tables (#46 and #16) at The Libertine
- The corner window table (#25) at Mai Lee
- Booth (#23) in rear of the dining room or the corner table (#7) near the bar at Mango Peruvian Cuisine
- Corner table (#6) at Meskerem
- Four seats at the chef’s counter at Niche (even though you’re in the spotlight, the chefs are too busy to see the PDA’s or hear your sweet nothings)
- Table tucked behind a half-wall (#34) at Marcella’s Mia Sorella
- One of the middle booths (like #24) at Napoli 2
- Tables next to window and fireplace in front room (#2 and 3) at Nathalie’s
- The middle booth against the back wall in the main room (#12) or either square table (#7 or #8 ) in the atrium room facing the street at Oceano Bistro
- Table #25, adjacent to the wine cooler (obvious benefits!) at Olive + Oak
- Corner booth (#13) at Paul Manno's
- Larger, corner deuce (#68) or semi-secluded table next to wine racks (#18) at prasino
- Booths (#1-7, #1 being closest to the entrance) along the main wall at The Preston (opens Feb 1 at The Chase)
- Table #101 in the bar or seats at “the pass” (a different world, cut off from the rest of the dining room) at Público
- Quieter, dimly-sit banquettes (#107-111, #107 being furthest from the door) at Randolfi’s
- Window deuce (#46), upstairs at Reeds American Table
- Table near kitchen but separated by partition wall (#42) at Remy’s Kitchen
- One of the upholstered booths (like #22) at Scape
- Deuce on the balcony (#30) at Sidney Street Café
- The fireplace table (no table numbers here) at Stone Soup Cottage
- A corner booth (like #35) at the Tenderloin Room
- Deuce in the front of the main room (#45) at Three Flags Tavern
- Most any table at Tony's
- Solitary and more secluded booth (#53) in dining room at Trattoria Marcella
- Corner banquette tables (#1 and #4) at Veritas
- Rounded, corner booth (#31) at Via Vino
- Deuce near the fireplace (#13) at Vin de Set
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- Soft seating upstairs at Bridge (no reservations, request a spot in line and a table via the Nowait app)
- Soft seating upstairs at Taste by Niche (no reservations, request a spot in line and a table via the Nowait app)
Dessert:
- Any table at Baileys' Chocolate Bar (no reservations, request a spot in line and a table via the Nowait app)
- Any table at Bissinger’s in the CWE
- The antique, wood-covered booth (#44) at Cyrano's
- Rear booth (#21) at The Fountain on Locust (three engagements at this table that I know of)
