Corvid’s Cafe

I have had two fantabulous eating experiences here. The first was on a Friday around 2. I had a expertly prepared vegetable panini with homemade chips. I paired it with a decaf coffee, the quality of which can hardly be given enough kiddos for!!! We were the only people, and it was a great day to spend on the porch.
Second experience was brunch that following Sunday. Holy moly… I brought my kids and felt like I had found a secret St Louis treasure no one wanted me to know about. It is busy and time consuming but the French toast, frittata, fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries, and Dr Dan the Pancake man made every second worth it. My kids said it was the coolest place they had ever been to.
On top of all of the marvelous good by the restroom their is a nook full of games and books and such to keep kids happy while hanging with boring grownups. I will go back as much as my wallet lets me.

If you like a good baked potato, stuffed and perfectly customized to your spud-​loving whims with any and all condiments, spices, and anything to be found in your fridge but don’t want to do it yourself, this is your place. I went back around Fat Tuesday or so and had my potato with a deliciously warm cider.
However, it’s pay-at-the-counter-when-you’re-done. We weren’t told this when we sat down. All working employees disappeared to the back or stopped working to serve themselves at a special dinner buffet that had been set up. We were ignored for about 35 minutes in a mostly empty restaurant. Not cool.
Now that I know the swing of things, though, I want another potato.

THIS REVIEW IS STRICTLY REFERRING TO WEEKEND BRUNCH.
Brunch to me has always been more about atmosphere than anything else. Yes of course the food can’t suck, but honestly if it tastes even relatively decent I’m willing to overlook some faults and appreciate everything else. This is basically Corvid’s in a nutshell.
THE GOOD
ATMOSPHERE: The biggest and best reason to come here. Corvid’s is about as literal a neighborhood restaurant as you can be. It is smack-​dab in the middle of a residential area. If you’re anything like my wife and I, the first time you come you will probably be wondering if your GPS led you the wrong way.
The front room of the restaurant feels like you walked into a combo of someone’s living room and breakfast room. When entering, no one is there to greet you. This can definitely be a little disorienting at first. Once you get over it, go find an empty table, set your stuff down and walk up to the buffet to grab some food. Head over to the drink area and grab a cold beverage from their mini fridge or some hot coffee/​tea.
If any of this reminds you of eating breakfast at a big family reunion, then good! Me too. That’s the kind of casual environment they’re going for. Personally, I love it. Your mileage may vary.
MUSIC: Almost always live, generally very good. From what I gather, the musicians are a regular rotating cast who are friendly with the owner. They’re your typical acoustic guitar performers, but it works well with the atmosphere they’re going for. They play in front of the fireplace and couches. It’s really nice.
COFFEE: Whatever your opinion about the food, it isn’t often that a breakfast or brunch place provides more than one option for coffee. Corvid’s offers four, three regular and one decaf. They are provided by local coffee roasters Chauvin Coffee. Simply having options is good for me but on top of that they all taste good.
SERVICE: Servers generally stay out of your way. That being said, they are extraordinarily helpful. My wife is fairly lactose intolerant and cannot handle cheese, but their standard eggs on the buffet have cheese incorporated in them. Each time, we ask if they can make some separate plain eggs and each time they’ve not only happily fulfilled the request, but the chef would bring it out to our table directly. If it doesn’t seem like a big deal to you, then you haven’t had to watch people react poorly to this request before at other restaurants. Nice personal touches do not go unnoticed.
DAN PANCAKES: The obvious little-​extra-​something that enhances an experience. It truly is pretty amazing what he can do with pancake batter. It will be a sad day when he leaves and will unfortunately detract from some of Corvid’s charm. Here’s hoping his protégé gets as good as him and keeps up the «residency» there.
THE BAD
CROWDED: Honestly, I don’t think it’s that bad but then again I’m ok with crowds. I’m pretty comfortable sitting elbow-​to-​elbow with people. Others are not. The downside to the homey atmosphere is that it comes with some home-​sized spacing. Tables are tight and it can be hard to navigate the front room which also houses the buffet lines, the beverage station, the bar, and Dr. Dan the Pancake Man. There is a back room that is much more spacious and still has some charm, but you miss out on the music and the other perks of sitting up front.
PURGATORY
FOOD: This is a basic brunch. On one side are your breakfast items: two types of egg (one with spinach, one with cheese), hashbrown-​esque potatoes, bacon, sausage, french toast, and curiously some chili. They are all decent, but nothing is spectacular. You could argue that the eggs can be a little overdone sometimes, or the potatoes can be a little bland once in awhile, but honestly it is what it is: buffet breakfast food.
Personally, I like the salad/​pastry side better. In addition to regular salad, they have potato, chicken and macaroni salad, coleslaw, toast/​muffins and whole smoked salmon. Again, nothing special or amazing, but definitely adequate. They have some desserts scattered around the place, including on a tiered tray at the bar. You can also eat the pancake that Dr. Dan makes, but honestly it is mostly for show. It doesn’t taste very good.
PRICE POINT: $ 15 per person. If you value high-​quality food above all else, you will not think Corvid’s is worth it.
OVERALL
If you served Corvid’s food to me in a vacuum, it would be a 3-​star location. I’d be having internal debates with myself over whether the food justified the cost. The thing is, brunch (and dining out in general) is so much more than that. The atmosphere, the service, the little extras, they are just as important, if not more so sometimes.
Corvid’s is the whole package for me. We’ve never left without dining for at least 2 hours, simply because we were just so comfortable and never felt rushed to leave. That speaks volumes about this place. Definitely worth a visit!

We went at 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon. I had an excellent cup of honey zuzu tea, so smooth and just the right hint of honey and flavor I was looking for. Cindy, the owner was super friendly and showed us around the whole place. The café is filled with beautiful artwork. I found this a very enjoyable place to drink a cup of tea, a plate of hummus (very tasty!) and read a book. I will definitely be back.

I love this local coffee shop in the Kingshighway Hills neighborhood!
First off, the owners are terrific. John & Cindy were very welcoming and we chatted with Cindy for quite awhile about all kinds of things. They made us feel right at home and very comfortable. I felt like I was totally at home and would get a delicious homemade dinner if i asked for one!
The atmosphere is artsy eclectic with local artists’ work featured (some for sale) on the walls. They do music nights, open mic nights, painting classes and have buffet dinners on Tuesday nights for $ 14.50 a person. On Sundays during brunch the famous Dan the Pancake Man is here doing art with pancake batter — how cool.
I an Americano with cream (hard to go wrong here) and the hummus plate… the hummus was delicious and the pita slices were warm out of the oven.
I was here on a Wednesday afternoon. There were several people in and out and the staff treated each other like family, it was amazing and it says a lot about the owners, how they treat people and take care of their employees.
I can’t wait to come back!

Clearly I’m in the minority here, but Corvid’s has just been an OK experience for me. Maybe I need to try brunch, since that’s where all the 4 and 5 stars seem to be coming from? I’ve gone twice for lunch with co-​workers and while the food has been good, it takes forever to come out, and it’s never crowded. The staff has zero sense of urgency, which drives me insane.
On our first visit I had the grilled cheese, which was fine but nothing to write home about. Most recently I had the chicken salad on a pretzel croissant, which was very good, but I felt like the flavor of the pretzel over powered the chicken salad.
I think this would be the perfect neighborhood spot to come in with your laptop to get some work done, or on an afternoon where you were in no rush to be anywhere. But on an hour lunch break it just makes me anxious because I feel like I have to rush though my food to get back on time.

Had a great time here for Sunday brunch. Nice ambience, and I will specifically love their French toast. Also we caught Dan the pancake man there. Which made the experience to die for. I honestly didn’t even want to eat my pancake lol. Overall, if you’re looking for a nice brunch buffet try it out if you’re in the area.

I love this place. I’ve walked to it a few times, and it has consistently impressed me. Their Sunday brunch is delicious and includes coffee, and the one time I tried it, I left feeling full. I’ve gotten their Sunshine Salad a few times, and it’s hands down my favorite salad in the entire city! For my last trip there, I got a bacon, egg and cheese croissant. I think it was around $ 6. To my surprise, it came with a pile of fruit, and a huge helping of what seemed to be a red potato and sweet potato medley on top of some field greens. Way more food than I was expecting, and the croissant (which comes with your choice of cheese – I had feta) was really delicious, too.
The people are super nice, and the surroundings are comfortable and perfect for a few hours’ work on the laptop. They have a game night, too, but it didn’t seem like a lot of people were there for it.

This is our go-​to for coffee in south city. Always the most friendly people. Be it latte, cappuccino or macchiato… excellent espresso drinks. Nice corner spot with plenty of street parking. Highly recommended for a quick caffeine fix, with a cool ambiance.

This was a most enjoyable brunch experience. Nothing too foofoo about it. Cozy atmosphere, excellent bacon, good cold food choices. The highlight is Dr. Dan the pancake man. Where else can you eat Miley and Beyoncé for breakfast!!!
4 stars because It was a little confusing at first, the casual atmosphere was intimidating to someone who needs to be guided through a new experience. We weren’t sure where to sit or how to get food.
Take advantage now of this little corner placed tucked in a neighborhood before more people start turning up for the pancake wizardry. My fear is more people with kids will start showing up and I’ll have to wait for 8 princess Elsa pancakes to be done before I get my Lady Gaga flapjack.

I only have four words for this place: Crème brûlée French toast.
Holy moly! Come on a Sunday for the brunch buffet.

Great local café in the middle of a residential neighborhood NW of Kingshighway and Chippewa. Fresh, coffee, sandwiches, salads and Sunday brunch complete with a musician, «Dan the Pancake Man,» and many vegetarian options. Nice owners. Very low key. They also have a separate party room perfect for bridal and baby showers.

Yawn City! This brunch no way in hell deserves 5 Stars. In all honesty, 3 Stars is the best I can do. It is way over priced for the quality and selection of food that they serve. I was almost turned off immediately when we went through the buffet line. We had to set two bowls and one plate aside to get one that was clean.
The positives were the Eggs with Spinach, the bacon, the link sausage and the chili.
On the salad and pastry side, the potato salad with sweet potatoes was very unique and flavorful. The small cinnamon roll was good, but it was the same mass produced one you get at almost every brunch in STL. Having small bagels with cream cheese and lox, was a nice touch.
The negatives were the potatoes on the hot buffet and the french toast which were ice cold. Their potatoes had no seasoning and the french toast was rubbery. Also, when they replaced the link sausage with patties, they were tough and chewy. The chicken salad was bland as bland could be. A high school home economics student could make a better chicken salad.
A major disappointment was Dr. Dan the Pancake Man. Being a big celebrity, I guess he thought it was okay to arrive late. He didn’t even show up till after 10:30 AM and wasn’t even making pancakes when we left at 10:45 AM. We arrived early so we could enjoy his masterful art work in pancakes, but that did us little good.
I was not impressed enough to return. However, if you do come, sit in the backroom, the front is way too crowded with the buffet, live music and Pancake Man.

Absolutely wonderful brunch! It’s super close to me. The buffet isn’t huge, but as someone mentioned before, the quality of food makes up for it. There’s live music and Dan the Pancake man. What else can you ask for?
Service is great. They take reservations. I didn’t know you could do that. The place filled up pretty quick, so either get there early or make reservations. I want to go back next Sunday… every Sunday!

This is an adorable neighborhood café /​coffee shop serving great food!
Between my husband and I (and several trips to eat here, including one Sunday brunch), I’ve had many items from their menu. Some of the standouts are:
— Veggie panini: So many tasty grilled veggies!
— Grilled cheese: On the menu, it’s actually called «The Best Grilled Cheese Ever!» (with the exclamation point haha) and I would say that it comes close. I think the best one I’ve ever had is one that my husband made for me, but I can’t review his cooking on Unilocal… :P Corvid’s grilled cheese has Gouda, Provolone, and cheddar. It also has oven dried tomatoes and a layer of spinach dip in it, which I think really pulls it together.
— Citrus potato salad: The combination of flavors that they put in here is genius! I love the zesty flavor, which is a bit unexpected for a potato salad, but that’s what makes it stand out for me.
I haven’t had any of their baked potatoes or their coffees, but I’m willing to bet that those are pretty good, too.
Also, make sure you try their Sunday brunch. It’s only $ 15 for a buffet of quality breakfast stuff… frittata, crispy bacon, salads galore, dips (hummus and black bean dips), and delectable desserts (made in house by Cindy). So yummy! When I went, Dr. Dan the Pancake Man was creating his masterpieces, but as of today (9÷14÷14) when I checked out Corvid’s website, he won’t be at any more of the brunches. I think they’re putting up a Belgian waffle bar instead of having pancakes.
What I love about Corvid’s is the neighborly feel. From the couches arranged around a fireplace to the owners, Cindy and John, being so friendly and accommodating, it’s a low-​key casual place you’ll want to return to again and again!

Came back for the brunch with my wife this past weekend.
All I can say is amazing! From the food to the entertainment, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Dr. Dan the pancake man was there entertaining and creating pieces of art out of pancake batter! And! There was musician Dave Black, who was playing jazz guitar, definitely a cherry on the top.
For brunch, there was a cold and a hot section along with a variety of desserts. Everything tasted very fresh and homemade. The desserts were probably our favorite, and those were all made by Cindy. They had key lime coconut cookie that was so so good! I could’ve eaten a dozen of those easily!
Definitely one of the best brunches I have been too. It’s a little crowded in the front room, but don’t let that deter you.
For $ 15 it’s well worth it!

Overall: outstanding brunch spread and good ambiance; among the best brunches in STL; great for vegetarians and conventional omnivores alike.
My partner and I were here for Sunday brunch buffet today ($ 14.95 pp., includes coffee from local roasters Chauvin Coffee).
The place was packed when we arrived at noon, though we didn’t have to wait for a table in the main room, where an acoustic guitar accompanied the pancakes-​as-​art station and brunch spread. From the hot bar, we tried the to-​die-​for crème brûlée French toast, crispy bacon, and creamy eggs-​something bake; everything was hot, fresh, and delicious. Equally impressive was the cold salads bar, with the sweet potato salad a real standout among other excellent sides — e.g., spicy slaw, garlic back bean hummus, mixed greens and artichoke salad with homemade vinaigrette. The pastries, cookies, and other baked goodies, also made in-​house, were a delightful treat. The husband-​and-​wife duo (owners and chefs) flitted around the cheerful atmosphere chatting with patrons and making people feel comfortable. We left feeling that our tastes for brunch and lunch, savor and sweet, were completely satisfied.
We’ll certainly be back for brunch with our boxer, Winston Churchill, when it’s not raining out and we can sit outside.

Came back for Father’s Day. Dad loved the brunch. They even had a great jazz musician there. The pancake line was so long — I waited for 15 minutes and was still nowhere near the front. It might be better if they do a sign up sheet, so you don’t have to stand in line while one person orders multiple pancakes for their whole family? I just sat down and opted for the french toast instead. What an amazing dish — french toast apple bread pudding. Made using texas toast, it is just as amazing as it sounds. I really love their mix of brunch fare. They had a ridiculously tender brisket. Their cheesy potatoes are also to die for. Will be back! Same welcoming family wide.

Possibly the newest brunch in south city! While chatting with the owner (Cindy), she mentioned it was their third week for Sunday brunch. They are still getting themselves organized but it’s coming together nicely.
She and her husband own the café together. She’s a former pastry chef so you can imagine how tasty the baked goods are! I had a lemon cheesecake bite and a little raspberry crumb bite that were both delicious. Other stand outs include the crème brûlée French toast and the tomato basil soup. Their breakfast sausage was tasty as well.
The brunch consists of two counters of food. The first being eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, crème brûlée french toast and soup. The second being fruit, bagels, baked goods, tortilla wraps and cold salads. My only issue was no labels for the food so I took small portions of the salads and soup until I knew what they were.
They also have scored Dan the Man (of courtesy diner fame) to do a pancake bar for them. Was fun seeing him taking requests. One couple even had their baby pose for a pancake, which turned out awesome.
There was a musician setting up as I was leaving but I had chores at home waiting so I didn’t linger to listen. I will definitely be back!

From a vegetarian perspective:
Opened in March 2014 in the space formerly occupied by The World Café. The renovations are wonderful and a great improvement. The drop ceiling was taken out and the space now features a 15′ tall beam ceiling with tall windows that create a bright, open space. The circular bar was replaced with a more traditional one that increases seating capacity as well. Artwork from local artists is displayed on the walls. There are also two large rooms in the back if you need a quieter setting.
The new menu is wonderful, with all items prepared fresh to order. A variety of coffees are available along with yummy treats. The menu features daily specials so take a look at the chalkboards when you go in. Gluten-​free options are available for most items. On to my favorite meat-​free options.
The BellaBurger — My new favorite portabella sandwich. The mushroom is not marinated, so the taste of the mushroom comes through.
The Best Grilled Cheese Ever — Gouda improves everything, but the addition of the spinach/​artichoke dip takes this over the top. Pairs well with the tomato bisque.
Veggie Panini — My go-​to meal when I just can’t decide. Veggies plus pesto. Yum!
Greek Pizza — When I’m in the mood for pizza, this is what I go with. Feta, olives, onions, and spinach.
I still have a few more things to get to, including the Spuds. I’ll eventually work my way through the whole menu.