I have been to Basso now several times, and can say that right now it is one of my husband and I’s favorite bar to go and have a cocktail on date night or just because. It is located in Clayton and is in a basement. The first time we went we were not expecting it to be as swanky and inviting. Every time I have been, I am amazed by the beautiful people here. Gorgeous men and women dressed nicely having a good time.
As you get to the bottom of the stairs, you see the bar and lounge area. To the left is where they make the food and pizzas. You can watch them hand toss the pizza! Seats are available all around the bar that is shaped like a U. They have booths and bar tops that seat 2 people throughout the bar as well. In each little booth they have little glass holders with flames, because of this it definitely feels more comfortable to visit this bar in the winter. We have gone a few times during the summer, but when it is hot out and you are in a basement with flames it doesn’t have the same vibe. The music is loud and feels like you’re in a club. You have to speak a little bit louder to hear each other, especially if you are in a group. Because the music is louder and people are talking louder, you can’t hear other peoples conversations when you are in the dining room/ lounge area of Basso. You can hear more of the conversations around you when you sit at the bar though because you are much closer to each other.
They have a unique cocktail list, micro brews on tap, and wine. Their bartenders have always been very knowledgeable and can make anything. Below is one of their drink menus and a few drinks we have tried.
On the right: Peter Rabbit has espolon reposada, carrot, blood orange, basil, ginger, beer and lime. This drink might not be for everyone. I loved it while my husband hated it.
On the Left: Dirty Money has bombay sapphire gin, avocado, fresh mint, ginger and lime. The avocado is muddled and the drink is very creamy. This one was not my favorite, but I would drink it again, while my husband loved it.
Italian Spring Soda: Purus Italian Vodka with blood orange, grapefruit, or lemon.
Moscow Mule:
I don’t have pictures of these, but I have also had the following drinks from Basso and I have liked all of them:
Aviation, which has bombay, luxardo, creme de violate and lemon
Negroni which has bombay, sweet vermouth, and campari
Sazerac which has old overhaul, simple, and peychauds bitters
Formula O=hv2 which has orange vodka, hanger chipotle, fresno chiles, rosemary, orange and spice.
Recently a group of girlfriends and I had our holiday party at Basso. It was a great time. The service was pretty terrible though. We had reservations at 8. We didn’t see our server or even get a drink order until 8:25. We had to flag our server down for drinks. Several of my friends have said every time they come here the service is this way. It took 35 minutes for us to pay, because we had to flag our server down again. Our server was busy and we did have 12 girls in the group. It would have made more sense for two servers to wait on us, or our server to have just our table only. We could tell she was spread thin, and while thats not her fault it affected the service she provided. Joe and I usually sit at the bar. The bartenders are attentive and we definitely always have a fresh drink in hands (beer or cocktail).
My go to pizza is called the Hero. It has sopressata, calabrese, provolone, pepperocini, and tomatoes. It is flavorful with just the right amount of spice. All of our pizzas at girls night were good, but were a little soggy. Usually you can pick up a slice and it stays together. The flavor was on point, but each slice kind of wilted as you tried to eat it.
Aunt Marcella’s Garlic Knots were tasty!
Chicken Wings “Fra Diabolo” They were tossed in sriracha and served with gorgonzola crema and celery leaf gremolata. I would not order these again, and a few of the wings were left on the plate. The flavor of the sauce was unique and didn’t cover all of the wings, and the breading was so thick and a little soggy.
The Seared Pork Belly was cooked well. It’s Presentation was messy so it doesn’t look great. The pork belly was great, but I could do with out the polenta and other stuff with it. I wouldn’t order this dish again either. It came with brussels and parsnip salad, horse radish pepitas, apples and cider vinaigrette.
I didn’t have chance to take pics of all the other food but the fried meatballs were a hit with everyone. I thought they were average, and have had better, but I am also very picky when it comes to meatballs. The rest of the girls enjoyed them and have ordered them before. If you visit Basso, you should get the meatballs and let me know what you think!
The linguine pasta had great flavor and the pasta was a cooked perfect. I would definitely order this dish next time I go.
Basso is a happening place to go have a cocktail with your girlfriends or a girls night, partner for date night, or just because you want a delicious cocktail in a bar surround by really beautiful people.
Lisa Annie
XOXO
OliveFood-DoYou?
Basso’s address: 7036 Clayton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63117
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