Aperi

I had no idea Aperi was a Spanish-style tapas restaurant because I did NOT do my proper homework. So let me do it for you and tell you that it was an amazing experience. 

Aperi

Are there any other Spanish-style tapas restaurants in the STL? I'm not sure, so be sure to check this one out! Bring friends because you'll want to try as many things on the menu as possible!

As someone who loves to order as much as I can, Patience and I took it up a level and chose the Chef's Tasting, which included several of the dishes on the menu as well as some elevated items. Then we didn't have to make any other choices the rest of the night.

Our "anniversary friends" Matt and Alisha, ended up just ordering off of the menu directly, so we really got to try SO many things! 

Anniversary Dinner Friends, Matt and Alisha

The four-course Chef's Tasting often came with multiple items, so there was plenty of food without being overwhelming. I was stoked when we started off with oysters, since that's what I wanted most off the regular menu. Of course I wanted ten more, but it's just as well we didn't have too many since there was so much more dishes to try!

Oysters (East Coast)

My friends started with the House-Made Ricotta, which came large toasted bread to mop it up with.

House-Made Ricotta

Next up for Patience and I was beef carpaccio topped with watermelon radishes and cheese! These homemade chips were perfect for picking up the slices of beef since they were so sturdy. I hope they offer the chips for other dishes because they are amazing. One of my favorite dishes of the night.

Beef Carpaccio

Chips

Both sides of the table ordered the Fried Brussel Sprouts since it's Patience's favorite vegetable and the server said it was their most popular dish. They were served in a black sesame foam so I thought they were actually not bad. Frying them to a crisp is probably the way to go, and I could see why they are so popular.

Fried Brussel Sprouts

A perfect spring or summer dish, this citrus salad with beautifully cut oranges and grapefruit, with pistachios, olives and feta cheese on top. This was definitely a winner for me with so many of my favorite flavors together on one plate!

Citrus Salad

Next up, we started to get into the "meat" of our dinner with the Galician Octopus and Agnolotti. Agnolotti is one of my favorite pastas ever, and they were just adorable! (It's the main reason I agreed to the Chef's Tasting.) The octopus was so delicious with the greens and sweet potatoes, and I didn't feel they were chewy at all. Tasted more like well cooked fish instead.

Galician Octopus

Agnolotti

My tablemates also made excellent choices this round with the Croquetas de Bacalo, filled with fish and a remoulade sauce on top. Yet, the big winner was the Braised Pork Cheek served in a tomato brodo with basil butter on top! Almost too pretty to eat and my friend and I just kept spooning up the tomato from the bottom of the bowl.

Croquetas de Bacalao

Braised Pork Cheek

Last, but not least, was the dessert course, and we got two at once! The Creme Brulee with peaches stood out as the Amaro Sundae was too bitter for me. 

Creme Brulee

Amaro Sundae

My friends and I shared the Basque Carrot flavored Cheesecake. It was a unique take on the combination of concepts, but you really have to like carrot cake with the texture of cheesecake. 

Basque Carrot Cheesecake

If you had to ask me what I'd recommend from the menu, I'd have to pick the Fried Brussel Sprouts and the Octopus, which even surprises me. If you can, the Chef's Tasting is the best way to order if you don't mind a food adventure.

Menu

Resources:

Aperi = https://www.aperistl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon