Estelle

Estelle's Restaurant - St. Clair Ave, Saint PaulEstelle's offers a bold and flavorful dining experience with a mix of Mediterranean influences. The peri-peri chicken was nicely spiced, delivering a robust kick--though it may be a bit too fiery for the average Minnesotan palate. Liz opted for the spaghetti with a cream sauce, which was rich but leaned toward being overly heavy.A highlight of the evening was the Janeil Blue Label Jamelia wine, which paired beautifully with both dishes, balancing the heat of the chicken and complementing the creamy pasta.Our server, Nia, was fantastic--knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly passionate about the menu, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable.Estelle's comes highly recommended for those looking to explore vibrant, globally inspired flavors. The combination of adventurous cuisine, a thoughtful wine list, and excellent service makes it a standout option in Saint Paul--just be prepared for bold spices and indulgent sauces.

Went here for date night, on a Saturday so it was pretty busy. The wine was very nice, and the house Pilsner was also good. We ordered the bacola (? I think that's how you spell it) , which are potato and cod fritters with this amazing habenero tartar sauce. Those were awesome! For our mains, we got the burger and rigatoni. I was expecting a lot from the rigatoni, based on all the reviews. But it was really just okay. It was very soupy, like weirdly soupy, so I wonder if I maybe just got a bad batch? The flavors were good, but all the sauce was just dripping off and it was really just mediocre. The sausage was very good though to make up for it. The burger was pretty good, but it's hard to mess up a burger, and for the price of 22 dollars, not really worth it. They did give us some churros complimentary, which was a really nice touch. But all in all, the service was kinda weird. Our server always came at awkward times, and wasn't super attentive. All in all it was decent! A nice spot, but overpriced.

Everything about my dinner was simply amazing. We started our meal with the seasonal salad and grilled shrimp. Their sauce work is out of this world. We followed that with the agnolotti--stuffed pasta pillows in a rich lamb ragu. Finally, we rounded out the meal with the infamous Peri peri chicken. I loved the char and spice levels and holy cow, the crispy potatoes. I appreciated how the server took some extra time to explain the menu. They clearly know their stuff and it shows!

I seriously can't get enough of Estelle! If you get a chance to stop by here you won't regret it! The food is always incredibly fresh and flavorful, I've been here on several occasions and know exactly what I will be getting in terms of flavor and constancy! The service is really what sets Estelle apart from other restaurants I've visited. All staff is incredibly kind and really make an effort to making your dining experiences a more than pleasant one. This would be a great place for a date or to celebrate an occasion!

Perfect, quaint place in St Paul for a girls dinner. I didn't realize I had accidentally made the reservation for the chef's counter but we ended up loving it as we watched them prepare dishes and even got a complimentary treat just because we were siting at the counter. The Patatas Bravas were YASSSS! I also really enjoyed the Roasted Pork Belly - it was cooked perfectly and just melted in your mouth. The pastas were also delicious and unique. And the honey cake...wow! You also get complimentary churros, I mean what's not to love about this place! Would definitely recommend!!

My two girlfriends and I had dinner reservations right at 5pm this past Friday night. We sat at the "Chef's Table" which is the high top bar looking right at the open air kitchen. Sitting at the Chef's Table has another fun perk other than watching all the dishes get plated - you get a free little appetizer before your main entrees are served! We were served a baguette slice with what tasted like a homemade cheez whiz spread topped with crispy pork belly and finished with balsamic reduction glaze. WOWIE was that fun yummy surprise.The atmosphere created an intimate dining experience which kept the noise level down and we didn't feel strained trying to converse. We enjoyed sharing everything we ordered so we could taste as many delicious dishes as possible. As everyone else has said in their reviews, you can't leave without ordering the Patatas Bravas. Think spicy tomato soup poured over big breakfast potatoes and topped off with a delicious creamy mayo. I don't know how it works but it does!! If you're a Rigatoni lover, it was one of the best I've had. I enjoyed that the sausage in the Rigatoni were in the shape of little meatballs. To end the meal, they bring complimentary churros to everyone which was a lovely way to finish. I'd also recommend ordering the Honey Cake - I haven't tasted anything like it before!! I'm still dreaming of the honeycomb toffee. Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot and the street parking seemed to be 1 hour limit. I ended up parking in a nearby neighborhood 3 blocks away.

My first experience at Estelle was over two years ago, and although the night has blurred with time, I remember thinking, "I need to come back." The second time was more recently, when we sat at the bar just after happy hour on a Saturday. The environment is back lit by high windows that direct light down on a cool, white marble bar, with a neat row of high top bar stools, and just enough space to wait single file for a highly coveted seat. Although some may be discouraged by pasta dishes priced in the 30 dollar range for a neighborhood spot, I urge you to wait and taste before passing judgement. High quality oozes from the noodles and the dishes are approachable yet creative. My two favorite dishes were the patatas bravas (of which I will judge every other patatas bravas dish of my life) and the Radiatore. First, the patatas. Don't ask questions, just order the tapa for the table. The potatoes are well seasoned, crispy, and piping hot. They are doused in creamy Duke's mayo with hints of lemon and parsley. The base consists of a fresh, somewhat spicy, tomato sauce that pairs well with the mayo, bringing down the heat from both the sauce and potatoes themselves. The portion is large, the flavor combination is addicting, and you will surely be satisfied even before your mains hit the table. The Radiatore matches the patatas in some of its flavor profile, again with lemon and parsley. But that's where it ends. The Radiatore noodles are short and stout, with little waves that soak up all the goodness from the sauce - jalapeño pesto and smoked almonds. The pine nuts from the pesto and the smoked almonds mix in a nutty, spicy, delicious bright green blanket. Each bite is better than the last and the portion size is plenty for two, especially after a healthy serving of the patatas. I love that you can experience two completely different vibes in each space, the cozy main dining room and the relaxed yet seemingly upscale and intimate bar. For sure a staple spot that I will return to again and again.

Came here for dinner with friends the first night we were in from out of town for a wedding. Got here early for dinner we got to hang out in the bar area until the dining area was open. The customer service was great. The food was tremendous. The chicken liver mousse and butternut squash salad was very good. Then I ordered the spaghetti which was also good.

What a lovely small neighborhood restaurant. They had me at the Portuguese fare!! Staff is so friendly and the line chefs have it dialed in. Consistent delicious food in portions that could easily be shared. I sat at the bar and observed it all. Ordered bacalao, salt cod poached in milk and fried with potato. For my entree piri piri chicken that was spicy! But the accompanying salad with green beans, potato, pickled celery, herbs, was delightful. I ate half and took home the rest with a pasteis de nata. Don't think twice this place is a gem!!

I love Estelle's. If you want great tasting consistent food this is your place. On street parking.