St Louis - Best Italian Food

Hi, going to STL for the weekend, what are some cant miss italian places? Also anyone been to blueberry hill or any other good ice cream places in STL? Thanks

You might look here, or here

I've been going to St. Louis for eats since 1971, and there's only one Eye-tallian joynt in town (and it's hardly A Joynt) that I'd refer people to: Tony's. You want good Italian, you go to Tony's. Most other places serve overdone pasta with "red gravy" (as KC's famous restaurateur Joe diGiovanni calls it). There's twenty-leven places in Chicago with better Italian food than the vast majority of St. Louis places.

Visiting the grocery store on the hill (sorry, forgot the name) is worth it, tho'. Get some of that Canadian pasta they sell, it's simply great.

Save your money and visit Pho Grand. On Grand. Only half a block from Jay's Asia, one of the universe's better ethnic supermarkets.

Geo

There are several groceries on the Hill. The one that I liked for sandwiches was the Southwest Deli which is on Southwest Ave. about a quarter mile east of South Kingshighway. There is an Italian grocery up the street that is decent, IMO, but I have done better in both Chicago and Detroit.

As for ice cream, Crown Candy is the best and it is on St. Louis Ave. in north St. Louis. I find it hard to recommend going there as the neighborhood is one of the worst in the city. If you should decide to go, go during the day.

Geo, save your money for Pho Grand?? Pho Grand is one of the least expensive restaurants in the city. When I was there a few years ago, the tab for four people was $24. In fact, since the place was in my old neighborhood, I ate there the week they opened and the tab was $4 + tip. Great food and good recommendation.

As for Italian restaurants, I did not really care for Cunetto's. I used to really like Favazza's on Southwest Ave. but the last two meals were at best, disappointing.

Try Missouri Bakery on the Hill as they are a pretty good Italian bakery.

Hi jlawrence!

I'm back in KC now, eating a bit of bbq whenever the opportunity presents itself!

I've had pho in about a dozen states and maybe 4 countries overseas. Love the stuff! But I think that Pho Grand's version is --arguably--the best I've had. You're right about the prices. Even in their new plush shop they've held to the old standards of quality AND price. A truly well-done place.

Geo

Agree with you about Pho Grand. I always feel a little bit guilty about paying do little for great food.

The only problem with the place these days is that even in its new digs, the place is ALWAYS completely packed. I was there a few months ago at 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon and there was a 20 minute wait.

Mekong, which is about two blocks away, also serves some pretty good food.

My old house was about five blocks off of Grand Ave. which was a great location as it was near great restaurants and near the Missouri Botannica Gardens. Unfortunately, the neighborhood was deteriorating very quickly due to a burgeoning drug trade.

Spent last week sampling the various BBQ from Southern Texas.l

Tony's is fine dining and will set you back a number of bills. It's wonderful, but expensive.

Almost any place on The Hill will be pretty good. True, the red sauces are generally just okay and the pasta is nothing to write home about, but they are St. Louis joints and fun places to visit.

I'd recommend Cunetto's House of Pasta for a nice "joint" feel - a real St. Louis classic with stiff drinks, dark atmosphere and hearty Italian food.

Rigazzi's is also a St. Louis classic. More a family place and cheaper than Cunetto's, they're famous for gigantic fishbowls of cold Budweiser which usually makes the food better. A fun place with okay food - big, big menu.

Great Italian subs and pizza can be found at Amighetti's Bakery. Lines are often out the door at lunch time.

Cunetto - House of Pasta
5452 Magnolia
http://www.cunetto.com/

Rigazzi's
4945 Daggett Ave.
http://www.saucecafe.com/rigazzis/

Amighetti's Bakery
5141 Wilson Avenue

Have fun.