Seven Restaurant & Lounge

Seven is one of those places that confuses me. They have two bars. One downstairs and another up (though when I was there only one was staffed). And yet? They're not a bar? I really feel like half of the restaurant (the downstairs) truly is trying to be a bar, while the upstairs is trying to be a restaurant. That leaves both the food and the drinks in limbo. They're neither terrible nor fantastic.

The service is a bit slow as well.

I'd go back if a friend of mine on the Illinois side suggested it, but I know I wouldn't suggest it.

Situated in Downtown Belleville, right next door to a sushi place you would not expect much from them. They have an artsy vibe as soon as you walk inside. If not a live person playing, good music and pictures adorning the walls (even the bathrooms).

They had a decent beer selection though they were out of what I wanted. I decided in the end to go with a martini. Good choice. The boyfriend and I had a hummus plate, delicious. The chicken curry sandwich was total yummm. I cannot remember what he had but he really enjoyed it as well.

I think we will be returning here. Great place for drinks and a simple lunch but good lunch.

While downtown Belleville isn't as trendy as, say, the Washington Avenue district in St. Louis, places like Seven Restuarant & Lounge and The Wine Tap have done much to improve the atmosphere in downtown Bellleville.

If nothing else, they've raised the bar for other other drinking establishments in the city.

I often visit Seven after work, and it has a good selection of beers and spirits. In addition, staff members like Amanda, Valerie, Becca, James and Doug make people feel very welcome and are knowledgable.

The food at Seven is very good! Unlike a lot of eating establishments in Belleville, Seven isn't afraid to use spices to enhance their dishes, and the cooks know how to hit the right balance. Even with something simple like a burger, Seven hits the right balance of spices to make its burger more distinctive than other burgers in the metro-east.

I particularly enjoy the Cajun Shrimp Pasta, the Shrimp Grinder and the Gumbo. Again, these dishes has the right amount of seasoning.