After spending hours in class each week and even more studying in the library or cramming for midterms, it goes without saying that Washington University students need to unwind once in a while. Sometimes, after such an intellectually stimulating week, nothing is better than dancing yourself crazy at a club or drinking the night away on the Landing—but if you’re ever in need of some seriously sophisticated “chill time,” head to Robust Wine Bar in Webster Groves.

Although its floor-to-ceiling windows and generous space between tables may make Robust feel a bit like a restaurant, its extensive wine menu and offerings cannot be disguised.

Their wine flight menu features fun names like “Blondes Have More Fun” and “Let’s Get Naked.” In response to our question regarding which flight is the best of the two, our waiter exclaimed, “I like naked blondes!” Despite our particular waiter’s sense of humor, he assured us that every staff member is a well-informed, well-trained wine connoisseur.

The wine flights feature a perfectly-paired trio of wines with generously filled glasses. The glasses are served on a paper placemat with detailed descriptions of the wines ordered. The “Take Me To Bed Reds” place mat advised patrons to smell the hints of blackberry jam and black pepper in the 2007 Three Saints from Santa Ynez Valley, California. The aroma was delightful, and we ended up passing around the glass for the entire table to smell.

These small details are absolutely perfect for people like us, who enjoy wine but may not know a whole lot about it. We were even more excited to find that for a little education and three almost-full glasses of wine, our wallets were only set back $12 each. Not bad for a high quality tasting series.

If you’re not in the mood for the flight tasting, Robust’s extensive six-page wine menu will most definitely have something to tickle your taste buds, and they serve a great variety of wines by the glass. If you absolutely love one in particular, there’s even a small shop in the back corner of the bar where you can purchase your favorite bottles to take home for later.

Although food may not be their specialty, Robust has a nice selection of tapas to pair with your favorite drinks. The spinach and artichoke dip was extra creamy and cheesy and was a great sharing plate. Some of the other dishes, like the seared sea scallops atop a white risotto with ver jus butter sauce, were a bit on the small side (but nonetheless delicious). Try the smoked salmon flatbread with potato, browned-butter egg salad, and fennel fronds—it is a well portioned and truly gourmet plate. And don’t forget to try the bread pudding for dessert before you leave!

Robust is located at 227 West Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO.