Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant

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5257 Shaw Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63110

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(314) 772-8272
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Reviews
( 10 )
( 2 )
( 2 )
( 1 )
( 4 )

Best

Amazing and varied selection of food and Spanish wine. Beautiful location in quaint neighborhood. Very pleased with the service and decor. Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance

Worst

This place is way to classy and ritzy, or so they think. It is Mexican food people 25 dollars for beans and rice, O it's spanish, then then thats ok. The help is nice but the food...

Cool environment 2/12/2010

Have enjoyed many meals at Modesto. The Paella is great and the wine list at times unique. Our most recent visit though provided us with a server(MS) who was mechanical at best. It was akin to dropping off and order at a step up window and having the same delivered to your table a'la-Culvers. I expect more interaction but perhaps we do not fit the demographic the server wishes to interact with. Pros: Fine Paella Cons: Unfriendly service more
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Won't go back 10/25/2009

I had been to Modesto for the fifth, and final, time on Friday, October 23. I chose it for a get together with friends, as I have thoroughly enjoyed the first four trips. Apparently, my luck had run out. We had a reservation for 10 at 6. At 6:30 we were informed that we needed to speed it up as there was another reservation at 8 for that table. Not only did the bum's rush not set the right tone, we waited 40 minutes for things from the grill. No apology, just some excuse about how the ""grill is backed up."" Even if we wanted to eat quickly, it would not have been possible. And, my husband did not get his final entree. The waitress claimed she ""just took it off of the table,"" after we asked. It is a shame when you spend two hours at dinner and still have to hit the White Castle because you didn't get any food. I won't return, and I'll tell everyone who asks to go to Barcelona in Clayton. Pros: The food Cons: The slow, bad, rude service more
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Just okay...we won't be back. 1/11/2009

Pros and cons. Pros: Atmosphere / environment. Location Cons: The waiter. Small portion Tapas for the $'s. more
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Best Tapas 9/17/2008

Amazing and varied selection of food and Spanish wine. Beautiful location in quaint neighborhood. Very pleased with the service and decor. Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance more
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Won't be back 3/24/2008

I'll preface my critique by saying both that tapas aren't for everyone and by admitting that I likely fall into the group that gravitates towards larger servings. Still, I know food - know what tastes good and what doesn't regardless the amount on the plate. I'd never been to Modesto but thought it would be a nice change - went in with a totally open mind and even held a sincere hope that I'd enjoy the experience. I went on a Wed., arriving as they opened the doors at 5 PM. I wanted to try one of each type offering (i.e. cold tapas, hot tapas, soup, salad and a drink). Pros: Is on 'The Hill' so you can go get some decent food when you're done at Modesto Cons: Pretty much everything and I had honestly wanted the place to be a great find more
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One bad nut 2/11/2008

The Head Chef at this restaurant is a bully and a monster. If I was able to judge just the food and service I would be here to rave about Modesto, but that just isn't possible when you have to sit uncomfortably trying to ignore the boorish chef berating serving staff and loudly insulting the guests. We watched as she (?) fired our server in the middle of our meal. I can't say what he may have done to ignite her obviously flammable temper, but it was a repulsive experience that ruined the rest of the meal. For a $600 bill at the end of the night, I would like to think that my group might have walked out talking about the food or the atmosphere instead of how awkward and inappropriate the chef's behavior was. If you still think you need to try this place, sit in the bar where you are less likely to see or hear her brutish behavior and tip the staff well - they have to deal with her daily! Cons: The head chef! more
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Great food, great price 6/25/2006

Went there with a large group of people. Everyone ordered different dishes and passed around. Everything we tried, was absolutely delicious. The waiter was on top of things. Our water glasses never got too low. As we finished one delicious dish, another was delivered. Everyone had a wonderful time. Each small plate was around $6. For as much food as we all got to taste and for how good it was, it was well worth it. I would go back again for sure. Pros: Variety of food, ambience, service Cons: Parking, dark more
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Our Reception--Outstanding 10/1/2005

We had our reception here, and ""highly recommended"" does not begin to describe how happy we were with our experience. Grace, the chef, was wonderful with recommendations and the order in which the food was served. The bartender and the waitstaff were charming, helpful and efficient, and we had a number of comments from our friends claiming, ""This is the best wedding food ever!"" Between the smoked trout, the steak in the port wine reduction, and the tres leches cake, our guests were engaged in blissful gluttony for quite some time. Thank you so much, Modesto! more
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A Great First Tapas Experience 8/28/2005

We ate here on 8/26/05 after seeing a review in the local weekly newspaper. The two of us had two cold plates and three hot ones, plus the bread and delicious tapenade which we were served when seated. We especially liked the fried cauliflower with paprika and truffle oil. (Sounds crazy, but was delicious.) We also were impressed with the creamy Moroccan rice with shrimp and mushrooms. The sangria (white) was good, but overpriced at $24 for a pitcher, which totalled about 3 1/2 glasses in all. The tapas are large enough for 3 or 4 to still have a taste of each dish. Total bill for 2, including 3 cold, 2 hot, plus one dessert and pitcher of Sangria, was $74 before tip. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable and the service was relatively quick. We will return next visit to St. Louis!! Pros: great tapas, people watching, unusual items Cons: expensive sangria, noisy more
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best food 3/21/2005

A group of friends and I went to Modesto for the first time last night. The ambience of the restraunt was very warm and comfortable. The food was AMAZING. We all shared many of the tapas, and each one was wonderful. The sangria was good as well. The service was average, but overall it was a great night out. Highly recommended. more
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Fun Night Out 1/1/2005

Modesto is a great place to experience an alternative to ordinary dining. The food is tasty and interesting. For those unaccustomed to unusual foods and/or dining styles, Modesto is a really fun place to be. For those who do seek the atypical regularly, Modesto will not disappoint. I took a few friends who tend to opt for tradtional American or Italian fare, and while they were hesitant at first to dig in, the quality of the food and pleasantness of the atmosphere encouraged them and we had a great time. Pros: atmosphere, service, cuisine more
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WE WILL NEVER RETURN 6/30/2004

LAST NIGHT WAS THE FIRST AND LAST TIME I WILL EVER GO TO MODEST. THW PAELLA WAS SO DRY. THE SANGRIA TASTED LIKE CRANBERRY JUICE. WE HAD THE OCTOPUS WHICH TASTED LIKE RUBBER. THE SPANISH HAM DISH MUST HAVE BEEN MADE EARLY IN THE DAY. THE HAM WAS VERY DRY TASTING. OVERALL THE FOOD WAS BAD. WE FINALLY ASKED TO SEE A MANAGER. WHEN THEY ARRIVED IT WAS NO BIG TO THEM. A BASIC IM SORRY THINGS WERE BAD HERE IS YOUR CHECK. THEY DID NOTHING TO TRY TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR US. WE WERE TREATED LIKE WE HAD THE PROBLEM NOT THEM. WE WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN. MODEST IS NOTHING LIKE TRUE SPANISH FOOD. WE SCHOULD HAVE WENT TO ""GUIDOS"" DOWN THE STREET. AT LEAST THEY NO THERE SPANISH FOOD. I WOULD TELL ANYONE LOOKING FOR GREAT SPANISH FOOD TO GO TO "" GUIDOS"". more
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Fun Place 6/11/2004

Really good food. It is a fun place to go with friends. Make sure you order plenty of different dishes to share. Modesto is a good place to go to have dinner and drinks. Pros: Food, Sangria Cons: , Small Portions more
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A great time! 3/26/2004

I recently went to Modesto with some friends for my birthday. All of the plates were delicious. I was especially impressed by the helpful and attentive service. Pros: Variety, Service, Decor more
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like tacos? 2/14/2004

This place is way to classy and ritzy, or so they think. It is Mexican food people 25 dollars for beans and rice, O it's spanish, then then thats ok. The help is nice but the food is not worth the price. Bottom line if you in the Hill eat Italian! Pros: nice area, service ok Cons: , Price, selection more
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EXCELLENT 11/10/2003

I RECENTLY VISITED MODESTO'S IN ST. LOUIS, MO. THEY HAVE THE MOST DELICIOUS FOODS AND DRINKS. WHAT A GREAT ATMOSPHERE ALSO. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TAPAS BAR TO ANYONE. I HAD LOTS OF FUN AND THE WAIT STAFF WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL, INFORMATIVE, AND CONSIDERATE. I WILL REVISIT THIS RESTAURANT EVERY TIME I RETURN TO ST LOUIS. Pros: FUN, GREAT FOOD, GREAT DRINKS more
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Jordan 6/18/2003

I think that this resturant has a really nice feel and does an excellent job of potraying itself as a Sevillian bar. It reminds me of a bar called Que Puto; if I remember the name correctly. ALthough the prices are a bit high, it should be expected since much of it is imported. I loved the resturant and the service was great. I must note however I went in the middle of the afternoon and it was almost empty. more
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Excellent, Excellent 2/15/2003

This was our first time at Modesto. The food was delicious, the drinks were exotic and mixed just right and the staff were absolutely delightful. Just good fun. None of the stuffiness of some other 'hill' restaurants... What a good time!! Pros: Service, Food, Drinks more
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Top Tapas 12/30/2002

The best food I've ever eaten! Great service, great chance to sample many different items. Pros: Best Food!, Big Menu!, Great Service! Cons: Crowded!, Small! more
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Menu for Modesto Tapas Bar & Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Vivid, sun-drenched colors provide a suitable backdrop for the sophisticated crowd at this Hill hot spot. The menu is divided into tapas frias (cold tapas) and tapas calientes...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: 5:00-10:00 PM Mon.-Thur., 5:00-11:00 PM Fri. & Sat
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, Cash, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: The Hill, Saint Louis
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