About Us

Paul and Wendy Hamilton first considered the idea of opening their own restaurant while Paul was directing food and hotel operations for Clipper Cruise Line and Wendy was heading up the marketing department for South Side National Bank. Paul graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management and had managed several independent restaurants as well as food & beverage operations at Walt Disney World in Florida. Wendy graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a marketing degree and had previously worked in the hospitality industry for several years.

 Paul and Wendy have a passion for recognizing the potential of neglected historic city buildings and have turned what most consider tear downs into some of the most uniquely designed restaurants and event spaces in St. Louis. All of their properties are located in or adjacent to the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood and they do much of the design and finish work themselves. The attention to detail and the overall warmth they convey on each project is immediately evident when you enter the restaurants.

The couple opened their first restaurant Eleven Eleven Mississippi (the street address), in what was originally a burned out 100-year-old warehouse, in 2003. Inspired by their love for the Tuscan & Northern California wine regions, Eleven Eleven was an instant success and was the beginning of what has turned out to be a thriving multi-concept restaurant group known as Hamilton Hospitality.

 In 2006, long-time friends and fellow Clipper Alums Jason and Kim Arnold moved back to St. Louis.    Jason is a graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and Kim received her Masters in Human Resources at Webster University and is the Director of HR at Bayless Schools.

Jason joined Paul and Wendy rehabbing the Centennial Malt House at 2017 Chouteau Avenue while opening Moulin Events and Vin de Set, the first rooftop restaurant in St. Louis.  They continued to build at that location adding Grand Petite Market, a wine and culinary shop, PW Pizza, a full-service pizza restaurant & 21st Street Brewers Bar which focused extensively on locally brewed craft beers.

Over the years Paul, who grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania, started to grow as much produce as possible for the restaurants and in 2012 established Hamilton Farms by  incorporating vertical aeroponic towers in a 1500 square foot commercial hydroponic greenhouse capable of growing over 3000 separate plants in vertical towers. In addition, multiple bee hives and fruit trees have been placed around the garden and throughout the landscaping to supply the restaurants.

Paul, Wendy and Jason officially partnered at 2101 Chouteau Avenue and opened Hamilton’s Urban Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar  in 2018, featuring Iowa Premium Black Angus steaks & Winnie’s Wine Bar in 2022, featuring wine flights, 30+ wines by the glass, selective coravin pour and small plates.

Hamilton Hospitality Events also offers two private event space from the Caribbean themed Rhone Rum Bar,  inspired by Paul & Wendy’s love of the British Virgin Islands, to the Garage with a decidedly industrial feel and retro arcade and parlor games.  These spaces can accommodate as few as 20 to as many as 150 guests.

 In 2025 after more than 35 years in the Hospitality business, Paul and Wendy made the decision to sell Eleven Eleven to Jason and Kim Arnold while continuing to partner at Winnie’s and Hamilton’s.  This decision will allow Eleven Eleven to continue to prosper and be a part of the Lafayette neighborhood for years to come.

All of the businesses have been recognized in many way as being the best at what they do. Eleven Eleven, Vin de Set and Hamilton’s Urban Steak House have been recognized throughout the St. Louis region for delivering exceptional service and innovative cuisine. Accolades include Zagat’s “America’s Top Restaurants,” “Best New Restaurant,” “Best Overall Restaurant,” “Favorite Business Lunch,” “Favorite Service Staff,” “Favorite Outdoor Dining” and “Best Brunch.” The wine lists have been recognized by Wine Spectator earning the “Award of Excellence” and the Wine Enthusiast with their “Award of Distinction” every year since opening. PW Pizza was recognized as one of the “Best Pizza Restaurants, ” and 21st Street Brewers Bar has the distinction of being one of the “Best Beer Bars.”

Despite a devastating fire to the Centennial Malt House in 2022, which closed Moulin, Vin de Set, PW Pizza and 21st Street Brewer’s Bar, the remaining locally owned businesses continue to employ more than 75 team members and are an important part of the rejuvenation in the north end of Lafayette Square.