Copia

My daughter and I dined at Copia for the first time during Clayton's Restaurant Week. The location is still fairly new at about seven months old. I could tell they are still trying to work out the kinks of a new restaurant by the somewhat strained flow of the dinner service. We waited for several minutes before a greeting from the hostess. They service staff also seems frantic. That's the bad. Let's get to the good. The selection for their RW menu were excellent. A mix of earthy comfort style Italian dishes with a nod to St. Louis style in the desserts. I chose the Copia Salad, Shrimp & Grits, and Bread Pudding. My daughter chose a charcuterie plate. Copia's signature salad is full of bold flavor on top of bold flavor. The tomatoes were ripe, pungent, and bursting with juice. Red wine soaked red onions adding extra acidity with a spicy kick. Their shrimp and grits caught me by surprise. The grits were cooked to a point where they still had a textured bite. (I've had some that tasted like a puree.) The bread pudding was reminiscent of monkey bread. A crisp outer layer, warm and chewy on the inside, drizzled with a salted caramel sauce. --- You can find more of our restaurant experiences at 2 Lovely City Girls on IG.

Hate to say it, but part of me hopes people don't catch on. I came to Copia in Clayton about four or five months ago and had a great experience. Came back a few times over the next several weeks and was never disappointed. Hadn't been there in a while before going back this past Wednesday and was surprised to see how quiet it was. Food was amazing once again, however, and waiter was friendly. I had the Lamb shank and the client I took had Gumbo --- OMG as the kids say. The drinks were good pours at good prices and my favorite wine was well below what I usually pay. So, once again, loved the place. I also actually kind of liked the fact that there were only two other tables filled in the place, but when the owner stopped by towards the end of the meal he is obviously not as happy. Apparently traffic has slowed for reasons he can't identify. Part of me hopes the crowds don't discover this place, but the smarter me knows I need to get the word out to make sure this gem survives to please my palate. :) Check this place out. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me, LOL. I've heard the latest Copia incarnation will soon open in Des Peres/Creve Coeur, and I'll undoubtedly check it out as well, but this place will stay on my "regular haunts" list for sure.

First thing to mention is what Copia is NOT. Its amazing look and ambiance made me think it was a high end steak place and I thought "Another high end steak joint in Clayton?" But, that's the point. Although they have steak and prime rib as good as their neighbors but at a fraction of the price, Copia is a casual wine bar/restaurant with mid-range priced food of all kinds and sorts. Absorb the atmosphere but don't be scared away by it. I LOVE this place. On my first visit, five of us came in and we all had different things. The Gumbo was amazing, as was the steak and prime rib. I'd read service was an issue in other reviews, but we had no issues at all. Friendly, prompt and great. I've been back now for lunch (twice) and another dinner, and everything has been consistently great. Its on the "less travelled" side of Clayton but worth checking out. Reviews can kill a place sometimes, but whatever issues this place had, they have turned it around.

The Copia brand continues to rock. Love the restaurant downtown, but having a place in Clayton with all the Copia stuff is just so damn convenient. Was a little rocky when they first opened, but was back last week for lunch and then last night for dinner and.... simply great. They've taken the dark, dingy old Morton's space and made it light, open and lively. Food is great and priced so reasonably they must not know they are in Clayton. :) -- and the Copia "thing" is top whiskeys and a large and impressive wine list with markups well below those of the typical restaurant. Guess you can say I'm a fan.

The new Clayton location is beautiful. They expertly transformed Morton's into a modern venue. The food is fantastic, accompanied by a bottle of wine for every item. I have had the Lamb Shank and Scallops, both paired perfectly with a wine recommendation from the owner. You cant beat the happy hour either, great drink and food specials.