If St. Louisans were asked to envision a coffee house around the area, places like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts would come to mind. When craving coffee, most people desire caffeine and a few breakfast treats.

I wanted to try something new, so I ventured down Clayton Road to get the full Wolf experience. The Wolf is not only a cafe, but also a music venue.

As I entered the premise, the vibe immediately changed. With it being rush hour traffic, walking into a place mellow and quiet like The Wolf was a pleasant surprise.

I noticed the place was decorated like no other shop I had seen before; it exuded a warm, lodge-like feel. The bicycles hanging from the ceiling and canoes on the wall gave off an outdoorsy vibe. Looking around, I noticed the crowd was very diverse.

This restaurant is home to many bible studies, homework sessions and family gatherings, providing further evidence of its comfortable setting.

Walking up to the counter I noticed they serve beer and wine, which adds a unique spin to a modern coffee house. After reviewing the menu, I decided on the grilled vegetable sandwich, a french vanilla latte and a side of their billy goat chips.

Immediately after taking my first bite, I was pleased with my decision. The sandwich exceeded my expectations with it’s savory goat cheese spread topped off with sun dried tomatoes.

Ninety percent of the food is made in the cafe with great care using fresh, local and real ingredients.

When I took a sip of the coffee, I really got a feel for what this place embodies: the coffee matched the mellow vibe; it wasn’t overwhelming, but was still sweet and filled with flavor.

Another good quality this place possesses is they hold an open mic night every Tuesday, along with live bands on the weekends.

Overall, the delicious food, relaxed vibe and sweet coffee turned my trip into a success. I can’t wait return during one of the open mic nights.

If you want to visit The Wolf, it is located at 15480 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO. You can also visit their website http://thewolfstl.com to learn more about the restaurant.