Balducci's Winefest - Saint Louis

Love this place and have been going since I was little (20+ years ago). I went back the other day and was amazed they had not changed a single piece of decor. The place smelled like smoke still from back in the day and the pizza was exactly as I remember. Love this place and will always be a fan of their delicious thin crust pizza.

Super nice server and good Italian food. Will definitely go back.

Disappointing. I paid $5 for what they called "garlic cheese bread," and it was just mozzarella cheese melted on a hamburger bun! That's not acceptable. The pizza tasted like something you'd find in the frozen section at Walmart as well.

When we went to order wine, we found out that the selections from Balducci's were unavailable, and we were left with a very limited list that didn’t include anything from their Missouri Winery. Disappointment set in, but it wasn’t a huge deal. I chose a glass of red wine, which was the only option. We also shared a house salad, which was decent. The croutons tasted like they came from a bag, resembling those you can find at the grocery store, and they were slightly stale. However, I didn’t mind too much since the dressing was good, and I was quite hungry. We were keeping a positive attitude, hoping to enjoy our meal. Just as we finished the salad, our entrees arrived. I had the manicotti while my date opted for pasta with broccoli and chicken. After a few bites, I regrettably realized the food was not up to par. The noodles had an off taste, almost as if they had been boiled in rusty water, and the sauce lacked any flavor, seeming like it was poured directly from a can without any heating, as my pasta was barely warm. We tried to stay optimistic about our dinner, but just then, an uninvited guest appeared at our table—an insect, possibly a water bug or a roach, joined us unceremoniously. Our party of two became a party of three! At that moment, I completely lost my appetite. Our server quickly intervened, dispatching the bug and offering to move us to another table. While we appreciated the offer, it felt uncomfortable after watching her deal with the insect right above our food. We decided it was best to leave for the night, especially since we were uncertain about whether there were more critters lurking around. The restaurant graciously comped our meal, and we tipped our server well, as she was not responsible for our unfortunate experience. It’s clear this place has great potential and might have been wonderful at one time. However, it’s likely due for some plumbing checks, a switch to filtered water for cooking, and some thorough cleaning, especially given its basement location. I don’t plan on returning.

Balducci's was absolutely fantastic! I've been going there for over 40 years. It’s a family tradition, as my wife’s relatives also frequented the restaurant, and we took our kids there too. We didn’t even realize we were visiting on their last night open. Balducci's will truly be missed!