Coastal Mediterranean grill and bar, with an emphasis on charcoal and wood cooking. It’s named for a Catalan dish called Escalivada (a medley of fire roasted vegetables). 2-time James Beard Nominated Best Chef Ben Poremba aims to create a cozy space with warm and eclectic interior that is inspired by the French and Italian Riveras. The food is what they call “The Cuisine of the Sun”: rustic, fresh, olive oil-drenched, simply prepared, and deeply flavored. The bar features classical cocktails and a library-sized selections of aperitifs, amari, aromatized wines, and anisettes. The wine list is ambitious as you would expect, thoughtfully curated and managed by Bengelina’s own, Mr. Luciano Racca. Situated in the Delmar Maker District
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5095 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 365-2686
Website: https://bengelina.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Esca — Bengelina Hospitality Group
Bengelina Hospitality Group
Esca (@escaondelmar) · Del Mar, CA · Instagram photos and videos
Reviews
From the moment you walk in, the space sets the tone — warm lighting, cozy seating, and a moody, intimate vibe that makes you want to slow down and actually enjoy the evening. It feels elevated without being stuffy.
We started with the ciabatta and Esca butter, which was warm, crusty, and dangerously good. The beet + carrot salad was bright and earthy, and the grilled artichokes were smoky, tender, and completely addictive. Because the appetizer list was so good, we also added the lamb meatballs al forno with milled tomato sauce, pecorino, and pangrattato — rich, cozy, and beautifully done.
For our main, we shared the branzino with olive-pistachio tapenade, which was crisp on the outside, flaky inside, and perfectly seasoned.
The cocktail and wine selection deserves a special shout-out — well curated, interesting, and the kind of list you want to explore over the course of the night.
The service here really stands out. I mentioned wishing there were more chocolate dessert options, and the bartender had the kitchen make fresh chocolate sauce so I could have a mini sundae. That level of hospitality is rare.
One of my favorite details: as you’re eating, they quietly box up anything you don’t finish, give you a claim ticket, and you pick up your leftovers at the front on your way out — like a coat check, but for food.
I also can’t wait to come back when the patio is open — this feels like a perfect spot for long, candle-lit evenings with great drinks and great food.
If you enjoy honest local food finds, follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more STL restaurant and cocktail recommendations.
Overall we had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back.