Photo by Kevin A. Roberts
Roasted asparagus with almond pesto, romesco, and a poached egg
The Clover and the Bee is ready to start dinner service.
The sister restaurant of Olive + Oak, both located in Webster Groves, will start serving dinner on Wednesday, January 24 and will now be open 4–9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The Clover and the Bee has also transitioned from a fast-casual model to a form of full service.
Owner Mark Hinkle says the change was needed because of the restaurant's already in-demand seatings for breakfast and lunch.
"When we first started, the whole idea was upscale fast-casual," he says. "That said, we only have 14 tables in the restaurant. And being blessed with a great turnout already for breakfast and lunch, we were going on a wait and quickly had to manage the seating. It just didn't make sense to have people wait, then send them to the counter to order."
Patrons at The Clover and the Bee are now seated, and orders are taken table-side with servers using tablets to take payments. That means servers can take a drink order, ring it, then talk food without leaving the table. "By the time we finish, your drink is ready," Hinkle says. "Saves a lot of steps and time going back and forth from the table to the terminal."
Those wanting to place carryout orders can still order at the counter. And for those looking to avoid long wait times, the restaurant now utilizes the Nowait app.
When dinner begins this week, patrons will find a modified version of the lunch menu, Hinkle says, with added proteins and larger portions (inaugural menu here). He adds there will also be nightly specials, such as eggplant Parmesan on Sundays or roast chicken on Fridays. Expect starters like smoked salmon tartare, pistachio dip with pita, and entrees like lamb meatballs, bucatini, and a small selection of sandwiches.
"We're keeping it approachable," he says. "Just good food, the kind of food you'd want to cook at home but with that extra touch to make it interesting."
Editor's note: This article was updated from an earlier version.
