Water Street

This place is good, borderline great. The small plates are a great way to try a couple of different dishes. The problem I had with this place is probably a 'me problem'. Nothing really transcended, nothing popped, my socks stayed firmly on. I may have expected too much given the other reviews. Try it, you may love it - you may just like it. Either way, I think you'll walk away happy.

We had diner here tonight and it was delicious. They have a great selection of small plates and cocktails. We tried the lamb meatballs and tuna tartar. Both were rich and delicious. Pictured is the Salatim. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but all the dipping sauces were amazing. The cocktails were good. The waiter suggested a black Manhattan and I found it to be a little nuttier than expected but not in a bad way. I would get it again. Overall, good experience and would recommend.

I was sold on dining at The Benevolent King by the following review: “Love this place. Jews love the gloops and so should you.” I was looking for a place to dine with my friend for her birthday during Jewish high holy days. The previous reviewer was correct. My Jewish friend did love the gloops. We had the Salatim: zaalouk, charred tomato, baba ghanoush. Served with pita. Poached honeycrisp apples, feta, oil cured olives, mint (my absolute favorite). Cold smoked salmon, labne, tomato, latke, smoked trout roe. Chermula charred chicken, shitake-garlic rice, blistered shishitos. Everything was delicious but I highly recommend the Poached honeycrisp apples and the Cold smoked salmon. The staff was amazing! I can’t wait to go back!

The food at Benevolent King is excellent. They are portioned to be small plates, but I felt that they were pretty generous. We loved everything except for the poached apples - they were fine, just not to our taste. We tried a couple of the wines by the glass and appreciated the dry and not-to-sweet selection. Our server was also very hospitable and timed her checks on us, very well, always coming as well finished a plate and ready with what was next. It was a great place to eat on a cool, fall evening.

The Benevolent King has a Moroccan flare! The cuisine is intentionally not traditional — borrowing from the playbook of contemporary Israeli and French chefs. -website Jake in The Bar is one of my favorite bartenders. We’re 7 years old on the twirly chairs! The dishes are unique and creative! Must haves… 1. Hamachi Crudo 2. Apple & Feta Salad 3. Braised Octopus 4. Citrus Cured Salmon Guys… it’s #stlouispescatarianapproved @stlouispescatarians on instagram!

Hip cool atmosphere with amazing beautiful dishes. Favorites were the hamachi crudo, Moroccan cigars, citrus cured salmon, and scallops. For desert the cream puff with salted caramel is fabulous and the malabi is not to be missed!! Really enjoyed this place... great service and warm romantic (while trendy) vibe. Will be back...

Had a fantastic dinner at The Benevolent King. Everyone there was very nice and they did a great job pacing the courses. We started with the cracked olives as a nice briney snack as we decided on our meal. We then enjoyed the chicken cigars, the blend of tumeric and cinnamon spices with the herbal sauce was fantastic and made it my favorite plate of the night. Next we had the anchovy toast with it's soft focaccia, delicious blistered tomatoes, and tasty cheese. We continued the latkes with smoked salmon. The latkes were rich and tasty and complemented the smoked salmon well. Our entree was seared tuna with soft boiled egg. The tuna was nicely spiced and all the flavors played well with the egg yolk and the fresh vegetables. We finished with two desserts the rosewater custard and the labneh cheesecake, both of which were hearty and delicious. Overall we had a great experience that made want to come back to try more dishes.

nice restaurant with outdoor patio seating and online reservations available. food is quite nice and quite filling salatim was good with some unique spices on the tomato and eggplants the Hamachi crudo was very good with a small kick from the peppers the lamb meatballs were a bit filling by time we got to it with our couscous addition

We stumbled upon The Benevolent King the day they opened the doors, years ago, and have found ourselves coming back over and over. For many restaurants, especially since covid, the quality tends to go down, over time. At The Benevolent King, it has only gotten better every time we’ve been. While we tend to prefer variety and interest over routine, I will admit, we’re finding ourselves to be semi-regulars here. It’s become a favorite for date nights and special occasions. And the menu always has new, interesting and creative additions — it’s never boring! The last time we went, we were celebrating with friends and the staff went out of their way to make the evening memorable. The entire staff is friendly, personable and welcoming. We look forward to seeing them, each time we go. The lamb meatballs are a must. The last time we had hamachi collar there, it was the best any of us had ever had. The hamachi crudo was also extraordinarily on point. We absolutely love the escargot and the fresh bread they serve with it (which is worth breaking my no-gluten rule for!). The oysters here, are the best we’ve had in town — immaculately cleaned, beautiful, briny, plump and fresh. It’s obvious that Chef Elliot enjoys his craft and is very good at it! The bar tender, Zachary, deserves an award for his artfully crafted cocktails — always different, interesting, balanced, and delicious. We have plans to visit the rest of the Ben Poremba group restaurants soon, but often find ourselves returning to this one. Overall, it’s an experience to satisfy the senses and every time we leave here, we are already planning our next visit.