Basso is one  of my new go to places for a fun dinner with friends.  We live nearby so we can walk over and we recently dined there for a second time.  I don't know what it would be like with more than 4 people, but with 4 people you can get a great booth table.  There is a nice level of busy, fun noise in the background, but you can still hear your friends easily. The food and service were both good and they have a nice drink selection.  Will definitely keep it on my regular rotation of places to go.
Review Source:Excellent service - held a going away party for some friends recently there. Â They have a very reasonable policy that allows you to bring one bottle of your own wine with no corking fee - definitely going to encourage us to make this a more regular restaurant despite not being located in our neighborhood. Â Food was great - good for couples, but also great for sharing - in particular the pizzas, the selection of which changes regularly. Â Looking forward to our next visit.
Review Source:Lunched with a girlfriend last week.
You really have to watch coming in from the blazing sun and getting situated on those immediate spiral steps down, 'cause it's dark. Thank goodness there's a railing.
We were seated right away, having arrived a bit before 11:30 a.m., in a cozy booth that was quite private. And it seemed like we were the only people there.
I checked in on Yelp and got a free beer or wine! What a glorious surprise!
Service was fine with Phillip. Although it did drag and drag and drag. Maybe they're used to leisurely lunches, but we didn't want it to take the entire afternoon.
We both got sandwiches. They come with a choice of house-made chips or fries.
My girlfriend got the Vegetable Burger with eggplant condiment, cheddar and arugula on a wheat bun. She opted for the house-made chips.
I got the fluke sandwich ($12) -- With bibb lettuce, olives, capers, tomato and aioli on a wheat bun. I opted for the fries.
It was nice that we were given a vessel of water, but we drank it all up, and it wasn't replenished. So I was going dry.
She said her burger was OK. I tried a couple of the house-made chips, and they were OK.
The fluke was good. I ditched the bun and found wonderful flavors. The bibb got a little wilty, but that happens.
The olives were huge green olives. The capers were reasonably abundant. The tomatoes were cherry or grape or heirloom, and held up well. The aioli was a nice condiment.
The fries were well-seasoned. Something on them. I'm guessing it was Parmesan.
We left asking for elevator service up, and were beautifully escorted to the upper regions by a lovely employee who accommodated us and was incredibly gracious. And we saw the backside of the kitchen doing this.
I had a hefty recyclable to-go vessel of half the fluke and some of the fries.
I'm giving:
-1 for the stairs, which could be incredibly treacherous for many people
-1 for the dreary pace of the meal
-1 that our water vessel wasn't replenished
+1 for the Yelp check-in free beverage
+1 for the escort to the elevators
-1 for needing the elevator to get out of the joint
I'm not usually a +1, -1 person, but I had to do this to figure out where the rating should be.
And doesn't that just tell you something in and of itself?
Wonderful and unexpected discovery. Don't remember what was there during my last stay at the Cheshire, which was four years ago, but this new place is fantastic. Our waiter, Kurt, was so helpful in explaining practically every dish on the menu. We ordered several small plates, and a real shout out for the grilled corn appetizer, which was quite unusual and delicious. The duck agnioletti with broccoli rabe was absolutely superb. Â Great list of blinds and beers, plus some very unusual signature cocktails. Â I have The gin-based "green with envy," Â which was a bit tart and very refreshing. Wonderful ambiance. However, like most new places, they've decided to forgo acoustic comfort. Very noisy.
Review Source:At the last minute, we decided we wanted to go to Basso for a friend's going away dinner. We didn't know how many people would be joining and were pretty disorganized. Basso accommodated us completely and reserved a lounge area for us that was perfect for what we wanted. Our friends were able to come and go which is exactly what we wanted. The service was great and attentive. We were also pleased to learn they allow patrons to bring a bottle of wine to the restaurant with no corking fee on the first bottle. The food was also excellent, especially the kale Caesar salad and roasted peppers.
Review Source:First off, I don't dislike Basso - the location is great, Â they have a neat atmosphere. and I like their bartenders. Â Glad to have them in the neighborhood.
My friends and I were thrilled to be at an event where they were handing out certificates for free pizza - they even gave us more than one. Â Thanks, Basso - we love pizza! Â They didn't have any limitations, only a expiration date of 6/29. Â My friends live nearby, so I agreed to gather the certificates and pick up pizza to take over while they were getting their toddler to bed.
When I went to get the pizzas, I was told I could only use one certificate, even though it didn't state that and I said I was picking up dinner for multiple people.   At that point the manager came over and said he would agree to "comp" one if I paid for the other two..."There is no way you are getting this for free" he said. I thought, "Wait, isn't that what a free certificate means?!"  (Btw, these are small fancy-schmancy pizzas - we weren't being pigs!)  I didn't want anything "comped",  I just wanted to use our certificates before they expired . He stated that it was intended to be a promotional item to bring new people in and that he's seen me there before and knew I wasn't  "new". (I agreed, I've been there numerous times - a good thing to have repeat customers, don't you think?)  I then turned back and said, "That's okay, I'll just get the one".  But then I was told that now I could not even have the one unless I paid for the others.  I left quietly since I wasn't about to make a scene.  I should not have been made to feel guilty. We've spent money there on food and drink in the past and will in the future.  We couldn't dine in tonight because of their young child.  The pizza I ordered went in the trash and I showed up to my friends' house emptied handed with this story as to why. Their response  was basically a "What the...?!"
Who can complain about something free? Â Not me. Â That's not my point. Â I was spoken down to and put in an uncomfortable situation when I wasn't prepared to pay because I was expecting to use our certificates. Â
If this certificate would have said "one per guest" or "first-time guests only" Â I would have gladly followed the stipulations. Â But it didn't. Â Be upset with your marketing department, not me. Â Â
Now excuse me, the pizza delivery guy is here and we're hungry! :)
I really enjoyed lunch at Basso on a Saturday afternoon.  It's a bummer that it's in a basement-like area because if the weather is nice you don't have the option to go outside, but the fact that it is underground is a cool feature as well.  The décor is clean, simple, modern and very chic - I'm a fan.  I love the large family style wooden tables by the chef's station as well as the spacious bar with wrap around seating.  The booths are very comfortable, which is where we sat.  The place was pretty much dead at lunchtime, this is probably more of a night hot spot.  Our waiter was really nice and offered great suggestions for food and drink.  The wine was great and the Michael Collins drink was pretty much just about the best drink I've ever had - you must try it even if you aren't a fan of sweet drinks.  The orange mixed with the moscato rose is the perfect blend.  The Basso salad is a very nice size, plenty for a lunch portion.  It tasted very fresh, even a bit 'earthy' if you will.  The fluke fish sandwich was amazing - great portion size and wonderful taste.  A very mild yet flavorful taste even if you aren't a fan of fish at all.  The potato gnocchi was wonderful.  A little rich for lunch, but I would still order it again because it was so good.  The portion size was perfect and the sauce was delicious.  The only dish we weren't blown away by was the pizza, which is what we were most looking forward to.  The crust was delicious but the toppings were few and far between, not generous at all which left the pizza pretty dry and mostly tasted like sauce and crust.  That was my only letdown, but I still enjoyed it.  All around a great place to eat and enjoy a drink, we will be back!
Review Source:What an awesome space to discover below the Cheshire property. Â We've "dropped by" Basso once before when it first opened, but it was so crowded that we only browsed for a moment and resigned to return again soon. Â We were finally able to do that last Saturday evening.
You have to bring-up the environment here first, as it would be a massive oversight not to do so. Â Basso is right up there with the best I've seen in town. Â Dimly lit, but not "dark," and just the right size to be somewhat "cozy" without being too cramped. Â But that said, there is a lot of space down there too. Â Love the open kitchen and the fireplace lounge area with the giant Cesare's Palace-style statue head, which somehow fits-in without seeming ridiculous.
This Saturday evening it was not particularly crowded at 8 pm, and there were a fair number of both tables and seats available at the bar.
The items we tried were the Asparagus, the Orzo, and the Mafalda with beef and pork ragu. Â We really enjoyed all of them. Â The pasta in the Mafalda definitely came across as freshly made, and the sauces were flavorful without being overwhelming. Â I will note -- I am not a large person, but the half portion ($10) was not enough for me. Â If I hadn't been able to sample the asparagus and orzo I'd have had to order something else additionally. Â Even so, I um.. did wind-up grabbing a slice of great pizza later in the evening when we met friends down the street at Felix's.
Service was friendly all-around. Â We even had to double-back to the bar for an after-dinner drink as it was pouring outside. Â The bartender there was accommodating and quickly offered us samples of any beers we cared to try.
I'll be back to Basso and would recommend you give it a try if you haven't already.
Basso is a great place to meet friends for Happy Hour and that is what I did this past Monday night. I meet up with a group of Yelpers, shocking isn't it. We started our week out right by hooking up to enjoy a few drinks and appetizers. We were all surprised when we checked in on our smart phones and discovered our first glass of wine or beer was on Basso. Damn, it is good being a Yelper.
The bartenders on duty were awesome. They were attentive to us and offered up tastings to those who were having a hard time selecting their beer or wine. I had no trouble selecting mine, I was in a Prosecco state of mind. Listening to one of the young ladies describe the beers was as if she were a brewmaster. She was selling me on a beer and I was already content with my Prosecco.
I love the vast open space and the large rectangular bar. It makes it easy for a group of friends to stand/sit and enjoy their evening. Also, it is fun to flirt with other patrons across the way. Also, it fun to walk over and see all the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.
We did order several appetizers, but I only focused on two. I totally fell in love with Stretch Armstrong, a pizza made with buffalo mozzarella, stracchino and garlic. A simple cheese pizza stole my heart and most likely clogged an artery or two as well.
I also enjoyed the Roasted Cauliflower, which would make any vegetarian happy.
Whipped Ricotta, Gremolata and Breadcrumbs made this cauliflower sensational.
Now that I know Basso is good for Happy Hour, I'll be back to check it out for late night drinks and dinner.
I've been wanting to go back to Basso after having an excellent progressive dinner at a couple restaurants at the Cheshire, and finally got the opportunity last night at happy hour! First of all, there is a Yelp check in offer for a free craft beer or glass of wine. Score! I started with a 312 wheat, which came in a cool glass and went down smoothly. I am not the biggest beer person, but this is one I know I like. Our group ordered several things to nosh on, including the stretch armstrong pizza, curried orzo started, cheese plate and roasted cauliflower. Everything was flavorful and delicious! My favorite was the cauliflower. The flavors were perfect and it as cooked very nicely. I also loved one of the cheeses on the cheese plate, which was creamy and yummy on the pan forte.
We all liked our appetizers so much that some of us decided to eat dinner there. We had Amy as our server, and she was excellent!! She answered a ton of questions and gave good recommendations, and kept our water glasses full. I had a yummy cocktail that she recommended. I would have had more if I hadn't been driving (and full)!
I ordered the cacio e pepe, which was a pasta with is described as linguine with cracked pepper and parmigiano. Sounds simple, but it was AMAZING! It was some of the best pasta I ever had! Not too peppery either. It was kind of buttery and had a lot of flavor, plus fresh pasta always makes something better. I got a side of cauliflower since I liked it so much but was too full for more than a couple bites, so I took it home.
I was too full for dessert, but it looked good too. I look forward to coming back to Basso soon!
I was extremely disappointed that I missed the YELP event here last year. Â So when some friends of mine visited from Boston we jumped on the opportunity to visit Basso. Â It is located under "The Restaurant" at the Cheschire. Â I had read the reviews from my buddies Vik, Kate, and Aimee so I had no fear that our experience would be subpar. Â
To start, our waitress was extremely helpful with our drink selection. Â She made suggestions and we all dove in. Â The menu states that the entrees are designed to be shared "family style" so we did. Â We ordered their special salad (forgot the name), Gnocchi, Red Trout and the Emo's Cover Band. Â
My only complaint... I wish the dishes were larger! Â Overall reasonably priced everything was fantastic. Â
The Gnocchi was buttery and smooth. Â The best I have had in a quite a while. Â
The Emo's Pizza (not misspelled) was also crispy and the right amount of savory. Â
The dish that had us all raving however was the Red Trout! Â Not quite as pink as salmon, but close. The skin was grilled crispy and the meat was melt in your mouth "awesomeness". Â It didn't taste fishy as trout sometimes can taste. Â I found myself wanting to lick the plate. Â Wonderful!
We finished our meal with Limoncello cheesecake and Zeppoli. Â Both were good but I wish I had ordered the Tiramisu as I enjoy comparing it at different restaurants.
I went for lunch and was blown away by the cool atmosphere, great service and delicious food at reasonable prices. Â I'm not a huge fan of bar food - I like to see some creativity and here, the chef is doing fun things with traditional items. Â I have never ordered a grilled cheese out, but the the mix of sharp cheeses with a duck egg was an amazing sandwich. Â My mom had the fluke sandwich that tasted fresh like vacation. Â The chips and fries were seasoned in ways that made them "special" and not run of the mill.
I can't wait to sit at the cool bar with the amazing beer selection with my hubby. Â The basement location seems to call for rainy days or fall/winter days. Â The real flames in the light fixtures will give it a real warmth for an underground location.
I will definitely be back. Â So glad the Cheshire is open again and doing a great job.
I currently live in the St. Louis area, but decided to stay at the Cheshire Inn for a nice night with my girlfriend. Â The Cheshire staff gave us several dining options associated with the Inn. Â We decided on Basso because we wanted a casual lighter meal. Â
I haven't written a Yelp review in a while, but this awesome experience motivated me to spread the word. Â When we walked into Basso, I was very pleasantly surprised. Â The place was hopping. Â We wound up sitting at the bar, but would have been able to get a table within 15 to 20 minutes. Â The bar staff was excellent, helpful, and very friendly. Â We split the crispy meatballs which were very tasty and surprisingly light. Â We also split a pizza which was awesome. Â I can't find it right now on the online menu so I can't remember the name of it, but it had fontina, speck, sage, and lemon. Â We both loved it! Â They have a decent beer selection. Â I personally like nut brown ales and they had several to choose from.
What I loved most about the place, however, was the atmosphere. Â It was very vibrant and reminded me of many of the places I like to go in my original home town, Chicago. Â I agree with the other posts that there were lots of pretty people there, but that shouldn't steer you away if you are worried that it's just a joint full of cheesy posers. Â There were folks of all sorts there, but mostly young fit folk (I am early forties and she is late thirties and we felt very comfortable there). Â We had several conversations with people who popped up to the bar and everyone was very friendly, even the Pittsburgh Penguin fan who wanted to talk hockey after the Blues had just dropped four in a row to the Kings.
Overall, Two Thumbs Up as one of my recently passed late fellow Chicagoans used to say.
The space is larger than I had envisioned and has a modern pub feel. Â Walk down the stairs and you'll see the small host station and kitchen to your left. Â To your right, the room opens up with a huge wrap-around bar in the middle, gas lamps lining both walls, and booths the length of the wall circling the bar. Â Lots of TVs.
See pictures I posted of the place and our food.
1) Â Basso salad - Greens with chopped beets in a red wine vinaigrette. Â You get lots, but it's light and just-right sized. Â This was only $3 when added to my entree.
2) Potato Gnocchi - Gnocchi wasn't as firm as I'm used to, but it tasted just fine. Â The pasta was in a lighter-mushroom cream sauce. Â And when I say cream, I mean on the light end of the meaning. Â There was a sprinkle of fried onions (I think) across the top. Â It was pretty good, but I'd probably try something different next time...like the burger.
3) Whole Wheat Fettuccine - My friend got this. Â It had a tomato-based sauce, and he liked it.
4) Basso Burger - After already experiencing delicious pizzas here, my other friend was going to try to the burger this time. Â After one bite, she was really happy with her decision. Â It was a good size burger that she had to cut into thirds to eat and couldn't quite finish the last third. Â She asked for the relish on the side. Â Burger had cheese and fried onion tanglers and looked delicious. Â I tried her fries, which came automatically with ketchup and mayo (I like to mix ketchup and mayo for fry sauce ---- so good), and the fries were fresh and crisp.
LATE NIGHT DRINKS REVIEW
I popped in with an 8-person group around 11pm on Saturday night. Â The place was crowded and buzzing but not too chaotic. Â We were able to get some high-top seating right away.
Atmosphere was nice, lots of pretty people in groups, or singles on the prowl. Â If you're looking to mingle, Basso on a Saturday night is definitely worth checking out.
The music was a pleasant surprise and well-curated. Â Tons of 90s hiphop by groups like Outkast, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and more. Â I even heard a track by Bonobo, one of my favorite electronic artists. The volume was just right and created a nice upbeat vibe.
I tried a couple of the signature cocktails ($10). Â The Redhead, made w/ ginger liqueur and citrus, was pretty boring, and a small serving to boot. Â I definitely preferred the flavorful Criminale, made w/ bourbon, pistachio, pear, and cinnamon. Â There were a couple expletives uttered from friends when they got their checks. Â Apparently the beers and wines are a tad pricey.
Our service was prompt and friendly, and there was no trouble using the Yelp check-in offer for a free glass of wine. Â By 1am the lights came on and most people were gone. Â However the staff was cool and didn't try to rush us out of there.
I was able to avoid the valet by parking across the street along Clayton Ave. Â There aren't many spots but it's worth a try.
One thing I noticed -- due to the basement location of Basso, cell phone service is unavailable, or spotty at best. Â I think this is a good thing, as it forces people to actually interact with one another instead of facetweettextagramming. Â Imagine that!
Basso is bangin' - the open kitchen, giant bar, cool cellar/rack wall, gas lanterns and filament lights, truffled thangs and that Spicy Spritz with habanero bitters.... It gets crowded, but in a dark, friendly, communal sort of way.
It's almost Spring (Patio Parties!), but I think this classy basement will beckon on rainy/hangover days.
I would definitely bring my top chick here for a cocktail and some small plates. The atmosphere is dark and intimate. There is a fireplace with seating around it, gas fired wall sconces, cool lighting, open kitchen with brick pizza oven, large bar, cool wine rack/wall. Good mix of people here too; young professionals, cougars in exotic animal print, hip older couples. Imbibe here.
Review Source:Great new place. Even though in the basement of the Cheshire Inn, this place has great energy. The food was very creative and yummy. Our server Chrystal was amazing. She was very attentive and took great care of us. Even her helper (unsure of the correct word) Zack was great. We will certainly be back to this energetic new gem.
Review Source:Just a short update with a few new favorites for me:
-The Donald pizza: wild mushroons, duck egg, truffle butter and shaved lardo. Need I say more? Rich, flavorful, comforting.
-Baked lamb meatballs with polenta, tomato and goat cheese.
-Roasted cauliflower with whipped ricotta, gremolata and breadcrumbs.
Basso gets better for me every time. Give them a visit and try a bunch of different things!
The space is beautiful, and there are a delicious variety of drinks to be had. Â However, the price point is a little high for what is on offer, and there are comparable experiences to be had around Saint Louis that are a better deal. Â
That being said, if you find yourself at Basso, especially on someone else's dime, you're in for a wonderful time.
Not. Impressed. Upscale hipster. All of the servers were wearing plaid. Not sure if that was on purpose. Our waitress came complete with octopus necklace. Enough pettyness aside, let's talk about the experience.
We came here for a late dinner. To be fair, we came here around 8:00 pm (with a reservation) on a Friday night before Mardi Gras. We were brought to a table in the back corner. It took a long time before our waitress came around, but again, I am considerate about our timing.
Two of the gaslight lamps by our table weren't functioning properly and sounded like bug zappers. I was warned by a second - timer to not order a full entree, as they are giant. My friend thought it was odd that he had to warn us, as he was originally warned by the server. The food was a little too fancy for me. I got the fettucine alfredo, and it was meh - as the stars say. My friends were equally not as impressed. If it wasn't so overpriced and overhyped, I might have been more gracious.
Also, be warned that you're going to have to go up a lot of stairs after dinner and drinks, so plan accordingly! :)
I went here for dinner and I can say it is pretty cool. Â There were some annoyances, though. Â First, we had reservations and the hostess seemed very confused and it took quite a while to be seated. Â Once we were seated, we waited for a long time and no one ever acknowledged us and we had to flag down a server to help us. Â The food was decent and our favorite dish was the Donald pizza. Â Cool atmosphere, quite the scene, and pretty loud. Â This place can do a better job and hopefully they will get their act together.
Review Source:Basso, by far, has the best atmosphere of any restaurant I have been to in St. Louis. Â From the moment you drop off your car at the mandatory valet ($4) and open the door, you can hear the chatter of a busy restaurant below and can sense that you are about to have a great experience.
I chose to go to Basso on my birthday a week ago based on an article I read in Sauce and liked it so much that I had to bring more friends back with me for dinner last night.  Both times, we sat at the table overlooking the kitchen and was entranced by the detail and attention the chefs put into the meals.  The calamari is some of the best I've ever eaten and somehow it is made even better when you watch them be hand breaded and the finished product is meticulously stacked on  your plate instead of just being dumped there. Â
We did not try the entrees, but the pasta and pizzas are all incredible. Â The wood fire oven seems to make a perfect crust every time and Basso has interesting combinations of ingredients if you are looking for a change from the traditional. Â You will be full from your pasta order, but don't expect to be taking much home.
The dessert is also in its own realm. Â After last night, I've officially enjoyed every dessert on the menu (and I'm not a sweets person!). Â The donuts are outstanding, but I think I enjoyed the pumpkin dipping sauce from last week better than the lime last night. #firstworldproblems
Go here with your friends, order a bunch of food and try it all. Â If you have 6 or less people, sit at the counter and watch the chef's do their magic. Â Who knows, you may even get a special treat every once in awhile!
So glad Chef Connolly has returned to St. Louis and given us another great restaurant to enjoy. In fact, I rarely go west of Hampton to dine, but Basso is definitely worth going one more exit.
I've been twice since it opened, once for dinner and once for lunch. Dinner was the first trip and I loved every bite. The calamari was crisp (not over-breaded) and fresh, served on a tomato sauce that was tangy and well-seasoned. The beet salad with Gorgonzola was also a hit.
We tried the Stretch Armstrong pizza and the mushroom ravioli that evening, too. The ravioli was my favorite dish of the evening--ratios of pasta, filling and sauce were perfect, which isn't an easy feat. I would count that among the best ravioli I've ever eaten (Italy, included). There were only 4 pieces, so my half was 2, and I could have easily polished off another full order, but I restrained myself. The pizza was excellent, with a well-blistered, delectably chewy crust that can only be achieved in a wood-fired oven. My friend wouldn't have cared for the Donald (duck egg and lardo), but I definitely want to go back and try that one sometime.
The service was spot on--friendly, competent and efficient. Our server was very helpful in recommending both a cocktail and a glass of wine from the extensive list of only Italians (I would have loved to be on that research expedition). The pacing of the meal was just right, too. My friend and I walked out of there amazed at how much we enjoyed it, and I couldn't wait to tell everyone I know to go.
Fast forward two weeks, and I suggested Basso for lunch for a day out with my 2 best girlfriends (neither had been there before). I was really looking forward to going back, and was excited to try something different this time.
This was one of those days where almost everything went wrong, and it happens to the best of us. Service was really slow, my grilled cheese came out cold, (my friends both ordered the Chicken Milanese and loved it--in fact, they always take home half their meal because they are skinny that way--but this time they both ate every bite!), and then I was overcharged on my bill. What saved the day was how it was handled. Every effort was made to compensate for the errors, and I left with an even better impression of Basso than I had before. I wish more restaurants understood that guests will forgive you almost anything if you treat them fairly and graciously (in other words, like guests).
Five stars for food, service, and recovery from lack thereof!
I have been to Basso twice now, once for dinner and once for drinks. Â I really love the space, but I'm not sure what the clientele will end up being here at this establishment.
The first time I visited, it was a young professionals-type crowd (mid 20s-mid 30s) and crowded. Â The restaurant had just opened that week and the wait staff was very enthusiastic. Â I really liked the decor- warm, inviting. Plushy chairs around fireplaces. Â The central bar island is wonderful for watching games and meeting up with friends. Â
The second visit was very odd. Â We were shoved into a corner because we were only drinking, but the people there were probably all 50s-60s. Â This was a weekday (full house). Â The wait staff this time was a bit curt and rushed.
The food! That's why you're reading, right?
It was fine. The restaurant group that owns Basso, Concentrics, is one with which I'm very familiar because they have 11 restaurants in Atlanta, and I've been to 10 of them. This group does a ridiculous job with design and marketing. Â Their restaurants are places you WANT to go to, but you realize when you get to almost all of them that the food is just average. The only consistent restaurant in their group is Murphy's in Va-Highland. Â
Here's the low-down:
Calamari- not just rings, also with the full baby squid and tomato-based dipping sauce. Cold and soggy the first time, OK the second time.
Raw beet salad- great presentation, good salad.
Stretch-Armstrong Pizza- oh so greasy. OK pizza, nothing to go out of your way for.
Mushroom Ravioli- Delicious! Probably the best thing I tried here.
Potato gnocchi- bland, bland, bland. Â I asked for crushed red pepper just so that I could eat the dish.
Zeppoli- can't go wrong with fried dough!
Note: There are no happy hour specials here!
I will probably return at some point in the next few years for a drink and small plates, but not in the immediate future. Â It's a great meeting place though!
I like wood, especially in a bar. I like the set up of Basso, with that long wooden bar. The place felt classy yet still hip. That's not so easy to pull off. I didn't have food here but I appreciate that they had a large beer list and friendly bartenders who were quick on their feet. The only two things I didn't like were the valet parking (while cheap enough, management should know that this will turn off a considerate number of people who would refuse to go just out of principle) and the fact that their set up makes it hard to accommodate large parties (we all just stood around the bar awkwardly in a long line as none of the tables can be pushed together for everyone to sit down). I will return.
Review Source:Truthfully not as good as my first visit on opening night. Â First off they were told us that they didnt have any monkey bread at 6 pm on a Monday night no worries that happens. Â But all the items we ordered were just not as good.The brussel sprouts were over cooked with a little too much char on them. Â The cioppino seafood also was overcooked too. Â We asked if the Restaurant upstairs was open on Monday night for a night cap beacuse we dont care for Itailan wine. Â Two different employee told us it was open and surprise it was closed. Â dont your employees know your hours? Â Service was fast and friendly.
Review Source:The first time I went to Basso with a group of friends for drinks was very nice and made me to want to come back to have dinner. Â My husband and I went on Tuesday evening and were promptly sat (we made reservations). Â Our server was very friendly and suggested some drink options to us, letting us know they are on the stronger end (which was true). We ordered to roasted cauliflower which had a nice flavor, and then ordered our main dishes. Â I ordered the margherita pizza because I am a vegetarian and my husband ordered the whole wheat fettucini. Â While waiting for our entrees, our server brought us a cheese plate that was going to be thrown away apparently because it was the wrong order. Only 3 of the cheeses were actually good (the other 2 were stinky and tasted awful), but it was a very nice gesture nonetheless. Â
Once our food came out, my pizza was burnt all around the edges and underneath and our server came to ask how everything was (she didn't bring the food out initially), I mentioned the burnt pizza and she quickly said she would have them make me a new one. Â My husband's fettucini dish was very small (he ordered the full order), so we asked if this was actually the 1/2 order and when she told us that it was indeed the large order, we were pretty shocked. Â Both dished desperately lacked flavor and were very bland.
We will not be returning to Basso anytime in the near future, as it did not meet our expectations whatsoever. Â It's too bad because this is a new place and really needs to impress it's customers off the bat, but I will not go back nor will I recommend it to any of my friends.
I've been here twice in past month, once for drinks and once for dinner. The drinks night was a Friday night after dinner in the CWE. I was a little put off by the mandatory valet at first, but on a cold January night, it really was necessary and worth the $4. I got the feeling as I was walking down the staircase that I was invited to some cool underground cellar party. It's was a little intimidating how busy it was, but after a few minutes, we managed to wrangle a seat at the bar. Service was friendly and fast with an extensive beer and cocktail list. I'm a wine girl though, and had to ask for a wine list. The list is almost exclusively Italian, and even though I'm pretty knowledgeable about wine, it made me feel like I needed to go take an Italian wine class....Pronto! I finally settled on a Ketel and club.
My second trip to Basso was on a Tuesday evening. It was still pretty busy, but we were seated right away at booth along the wall. The gas lamps above every table lend to the underground cellar feel. This time I took a little more time to read over the wine list and our server (Amanda) was happy to let us try one of the wines by the glass before we decided to get the whole bottle. My friend and I settled on a half-order of the crab gnocchi pasta, and a Donald pizza to split. We both agreed that the food on this particular night did not live up to the hype. The pizza was beautiful with it's duck egg yolk swirled around the top, and the crust was the perfect crunchy and chewy texture that I love so much about rustic pizzas. But both dishes were seriously lacking in seasoning and they could have used a smattering of fresh herbs to brighten them up and give them some depth of flavor. Â The prices are good though, and for $60 (not including the tip) for both plates and a bottle of wine, we left content and willing to come back again, and maybe again, to give Basso another shot.
Basso was pretty packed for a random week night, which my fiance and I were impressed by. Â The restaurant is a trendy and dark space in the basement of the Cheshire. Â It has a very funky and fun feel. Â The bar in the center of room is huge, so if you come and sit there you wont miss a beat.
I ordered the Tuna Crudo for a starter to share and it was incredibly fresh and lite tasting. Â I was impressed, and I am a stickler for my tuna. Â I then ordered the Trout and a side of brussel sprouts. Â The trout was a very large piece of fish, but with lots of flavor and it was tasty. Â The brussel sprouts were also prepared well, with a light dusting of olive oil and a little salt and pepper for taste. Â It was delish.
My fiance had the Basso Burger and it was darn good... He really enjoyed the burger and the french fries he said were to die for. Â He finished everything on his plate. Â I will definitely be back for a girls night out or another impromptu date night.
Dang, St. Louis is getting cooler by the minute. This is the perfect trendy restaurant to go with friends or on a date for a fun night. I really like the gas lanterns that spit out fire and the distressed wooden wall filled with hanging wine bottles.
The food is good, not amazing, but it's worth it for the atmosphere. I recommend ordering a pizza (I like Emo Cover Band) or a pasta (Malfalda is good). It's a great place to order a few things and share with the table.
I look forward to going back and also trying the Cheshire's fancier restaurant, The Restaurant.
I've got lots of good things to say about Basso.
First, I love that it's in the basement. There's something unique in St. Louis about walking in the entrance and heading underground for dinner. The lack of windows results in a cozy atmosphere, even though it isn't small.
We sat at one of the high top tables between the booths and the bar and ordered a couple of items to share. We both loved the gnocchi and really liked the spinach-oyster pizza (the oysters are ground up into the sauce and I really couldn't taste them at all).
We got very attentive service even though they were packed after only being open about 6 week.
The only things that I didn't care for is the valet only parking option ($4) and the shift around 10 pm from a lively dinner crowd the the hitting the bars crowd. People were crowding in between our table and the bar and it got a lot louder. I think it would have been better if we had been at a booth. Still, neither of these things were enough of a bother to knock Basso off of a 5 star rating.
Pretty nifty place. After I'd heard good things about it from Yelpers who went to the Elite event there this month, I figured I'd check it out too.
Yes, I will go ahead and say this upfront: Parking Blows. Be prepared to have some extra cash in your wallet for a valet. Or say a prayer to the parking gods before you leave home because finding a spot is impossible. We went on a Thursday night and we had to do the valet.
Also I will mention you should make reservations even if it's not a Friday or Saturday night. I used Open Table before leaving home and I am glad I did because we would have had to wait 45 minutes for a table.
Decor-wise I will second what others have said about it having a really dark and sophisticated (even manly) sort of look. It kind of feels like you're in a dungeon too, because of the actual gas torches they have. (Seems a little dangerous to have a gas line going around the entire restaurant like that but I am guess it's OK if they passed safety inspections, lol.) The gas lamp nearest to us kept buzzing all night though and it was somewhat irritating. I will also second that the weird Greco-Roman head...bust...thingy looks kinda out of place. Overall, this place reminds me of a more industrial, brooding, Roman version of Taste.
It was pretty much a mobscene on a Thursday night at 7pm. I was getting a tiny bit nervous and claustrophobic but once we were seated it was no big deal. It took them a while to find a table for us which seemed odd to me as we had a reservation.
Our waitress was really sweet and knowledgeable although she did mention the pasta was only a couple of ounces for a half portion and it turned out to be pretty big....oh wells! We chatted about cocktails, food, and shoes when she came to our table, and she was really prompt too. They were good about water refills despite how busy it was. Overall, pretty good service!
The one thing I did not like about this place was the drinks. I didn't really like any of the cocktails I tried. They were so strong that I couldn't even tell there were ingredients such as lavender and honey in them....seriously. I think next time I'd get only a beer or wine and it sounds like they have a great selection of those, so yay.
I ordered the lobster risotto balls, an order of the whole wheat pasta, and the Donald pizza. Out of all the food, I like the pasta best. The pizza was pretty good too but I think I would have liked it more if it had red sauce. The egg flavor was actually oddly strong...maybe I've never had a duck egg before though and didn't realize that about them. The risotto balls were warm and crispy and gooey and delish but they lacked any presence of lobster or seafood for that matter.
TBH though I feel like Basso is somewhat overrated. The food was pretty good but the cocktails kind of sucked IMHO. The decor was really cool but with all the people so tightly jammed together and the constant buzzing of the lamp it was hard to really take it all in and enjoy it. It was so noisy that I had to practically shout at Sean for him to hear me. But even despite all of that and it's overratedness, I'd still probably return to try their other menu items. Maybe not pasta, since I can now make my own at home, but maybe share a different pizza with Sean.
+ Fantastic, accommodating service + reservations
+ Communal tables great for groups
+ Menu options great for sharing
+ Well-curated drink menu
I first came to Basso for a Yelp Elite event earlier this month and was so impressed by the environment and the crowd-pleasing menu options that I booked a reservation on the spot for a girl's night out. I made my reservation at the restaurant with Patricia Wamhoff, the beverage director. I called back later to change the party size of my group, and worked with the reservationist on the phone to accommodate my party of 18 girls. Basso has 2 long communal tables that accommodate about 12-14 (or 10, comfortably). We had reserved only 1 of the long tables, but were told that we could take over the 2nd table once the earlier-reserved guests left.
Basso's atmosphere is trendy but super casual and not pretentious at all. I love the rustic wood decor and open kitchen. The food is meant for sharing - pizzas, pastas, a diverse selection of small plates and appetizers. And they make it easy for you to share too. Our server was AMAZING. With our group of 18 girls, she was able to keep track of everyone's orders down to the individual drinks that each girl had, and gave us separate checks at the end. It is so nice to not have to deal with splitting a check for a large group by yourself.
The food itself was top-notch. My favorite pizza is THE DONALD - it comes with a duck egg and white truffle and is so decadent and savory. The lobster arancinis are perfect little small bites. The calamari is tender and chewy and well-seasoned. If you are vegetarian, however, be sure to ask your server which dishes contain meat as one of the girls in my group was surprised to find pancetta/ham in her risotto dish, which she believed to be vegetarian. Pastas come in small and large sizes, which is great if you wanted to try just a little of everything.
There is a small but well-curated list of crafted cocktails with interesting ingredients and flavors. I had the MISTLETOE SMASH, which contained blood orange, mezcal, apple, cranberry, & rosemary. It was aptly strong and I loved the floating fresh cranberries. If you're not into cocktails, there is a strong selection of beers and wines to please every palate.
We had a fabulous girl's night at Basso! Can't wait to be back.
[[ Note: parking is valet only for $4 ]]
Basso is so sexy! Actually, like a sexy, sexy man! From the deep wood furnishings, to the dimly lit atmosphere highlighted by flames in the pizza oven and fireplace, to the subtle smell of burning wood, to the impressively large stainless steel bar the middle of the room - it just reeks of masculinity. 5 stars for atmosphere, for sure.
The menu has quite a selection. Take my word for it, Basso makes you WANT to eat your vegetables. In fact, the roasted cauliflower with whipped ricotta, gremolata and breadcrumbs was my favorite dish of those that we tried. So many flavors. We also tried the cheese plate (just ok - bummer that they just set it down and walked away without telling us what the cheeses were), the eggplant caponata toasts (my least fave, too sweet for my liking) and a pasta - the Cacio de Pepe (thin rolled noodles in a white sauce with pepper and parmesan - delish, but the small is definitely small - they warned and we should have listened).
I do want to go back and try the pizzas. They look fantastic as they passed by on the way to tables around us and also look a little more filling than the small plates.
The only thing not sexy about Basso is the parking. You are required to valet or find a spot on the street, which is not an easy task unless you get there around 5 pm. They still have a few kinks to work out service-wise due to being so new, but I'll be back.
Basso's atmosphere is absolutely fabulous. I enjoyed the warm glow of the lights, the heavy woodwork, and the comfortable decor. It was very inviting and it allowed us to thoroughly enjoy our dining experience.
We tried many things on the menu, most of which were marginal; nothing to write home about, beside two standout items. #1 The Skirt Steak is phenomenal, honestly five stars. #2 The Donald pizza; granted I love anything with truffle, this pizza had a nice combination of truffle and egg on it.-- These two dishes are worth a trip back to Basso.
Went to Basso for drinks with co-workers. We somehow were lucky enough to obtain a secluded lil section of couches back towards the kitchen. The decorations and ambiance were sleek and modern, yet comfortable and homey.
In addition to the delicious cocktail I enjoyed two of (I can't recall the name but it was lemoncello with hints of lavender and honey), we tried the garlic-rosemary monkey bread and the brussel sprouts. I had never had brussel sprouts before and they previously grossed me out but Basso made me a believer! These were some superbly seasoned veggies!
The service was also good. Our waitress was attentive.
I will definitely be back!
We wanted to check out Basso, mainly on the strength of it's partner upstairs, the Restaurant. Being the second day officially open, things weren't as smooth as I might have liked. Getting seated was more of an ordeal than it needed to be. The atmosphere was enjoyable, although I agree with the other review that said it was a little loud, you can tell lot$ of time and energy went into making this a comfortable place to be. The open kitchen is fun, and the big tables look fun for a party. Lots of draft beer selection, but I wish the wine list was a little more accessible.
Foodwise, we order the ribs, lobster arancini, and calamari to start. The lobster and calamari were delicious, with good sized portions as well. St Louis has probably spoiled me for BBQ. The pizzas were a little undercooked and/or overtopped. Cooking them in a woodfired oven earns them a pass, but I think a more thin, italian style pizza might be the ticket. The burger was good, but unremarkable.
I will definitely come back, with high expectations!
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