For months I drove passed the heap of construction that was to be the new St. Louis Bread Company and Bricktop’s restaurant on Clayton Road. I was so excited, not only because I eat Bread Co. on a weekly basis but because a new restaurant was going to open in the Frontenac Plaza area. I’m a big fan of Cardwell’s and Brio, so I thought this new addition to the Plaza family would be just as good. I was wrong…

My family and I visited Bricktop’s on a cold evening, the last night before my brother was going to leave for college after the break. I was excited to try the recently opened restaurant, as I had heard good things from family friends. But as soon as I entered the establishment I knew something was off.

The main room was so packed with tables that it was hard to squeeze and not trip through the little walking space we had to get to our booth in the back. The noise of the place was unbearable. I couldn’t hear a word my family said as we practically yelled at each other across the table. But, in fact, two of my vital senses were impaired as I couldn’t see anything either. I know restaurants are supposed to dim the lights at night to “set the mood” but I couldn’t see my plate in front of me.

As I ate blindly and without the ability to hear, I ordered the ribs, which were the best part of the evening. They were flavorful and rightly tender. But my brother fared worse; his filet mignon was almost raw it was so undercooked. He had it taken back, but still claimed “it wasn’t the best.”

Though I have no doubt most of the menu items taste just as good as the ribs, they are extremely overpriced. Their salads are around $20, which seems outrageous to me. Something you can easily make at home should not be that expensive. And simple menu items such as chicken tenders are $14. I don’t know about you, but some of the best chicken tenders I’ve had barely cost $4.

Though our server was very nice and accommodating, he even went as far as tracking down my brother when we lost him among the crowd of diners, and the food was fair, the overall atmosphere was uncomfortable and quite frankly, stressful. It really is difficult to eat in the dark.

So next time you and your family want a nice, convenient bon voyage dinner or even just a simple night out, I’d stick with Brio. #