A friend had raved about this place and I believe my expectations may have been too high. The…read morerestaurant atmosphere was nice and the service was good. The food was also good, but my entree was disappointing flavor-wise and my salad seemed really small. I'd come back again, to try a different dish.

I met a few friends here for an early dinner. It was recommended as one of his favorite places to…read moreeat by one of the people in our party. To start off we were welcomed by staff as soon as we walked in the door. The sisters who run the place are so friendly. I ordered the Portobello Sandwich which comes with a side of pasta as one of the choices. The waitress let me sub with marinara sauce since I don't eat meat. You would think this would be boring spaghetti topped with marinara. However, was the highlight of my evening. I need to come back for more of that marinara sauce! The sandwich was perfectly marinated and grilled with a few toppings and a hoagie bun. The restaurant was clean and comfy feeling with low lights. We will be back.

This was the best establishment we have been to. The way our day played out our party of 4 got to…read morethe restaurant 2 hrs early. We asked if there was anyway they could get us in early. The hostess asked if the patio would be ok and we were delighted to say yes. My wife is using a walker due to upcoming hip replacement surgery and the hostess suggested we use the outside patio gate instead of trying to pass through the restaurant. We sat in the patio and water and fresh hot 2 kinds of bread were placed on the table. Our server, Connor, is so knowledgeable and pleasant. He was patient with us and his wine suggestion was spot on. Great sense of humor and he worked all the patio tables. The food choices were amazing and exceeded expectations. Pricing was comparable with what we expected. The lobster bisque was thick, hot and very filling. There was ample pieces of lobster as well. My wife shared that her pasta was not hard or dry or rubbery but tasted freshly made. Connor shared that the prep starts every morning with homemade pasta. The traditional toasted ravioli were just that, toasted and tasty and the CG shrimp seemed so much more than an appetizer. Meals could be had with just those. I was very satisfied it ordered lasagna anyway. I just had them pack it to go as I was comfortably full. I know there are a lot of choices on the Hill but I assure you this one stands out. Please treat yourself to Charlie Gitto's. Don't wait for a special reason. Any time you eat here will be special

Overall Impressions: Visiting a historic St. Louis institution for the first time is always…read moreexciting, but our inaugural dinner at Charlie Gitto's on The Hill yielded a surprisingly mixed bag. While the drinks, bread, appetizers, and desserts shone, the main courses and service fell short of the restaurant's legendary reputation. Ambiance & Setting Stepping in from a mild, low-80s afternoon, the indoor dining room felt starkly dark--almost like a cave when walking straight in from the street. Thankfully, we opted to sit on the patio, which was a delightful choice and provided a very nice, relaxed environment for dinner. While the restaurant recommends smart or business casual attire, the vibe on the ground was much more relaxed; there were plenty of people wearing shorts, and a diner nearby on the patio was sporting jeans and a t-shirt. For parking, the Hill location does have a lot attached, but it was full when we arrived. Fortunately, there is plenty of on-street parking nearby, plus another parking lot just one block down. Drinks & Starters * Drinks: Both the house Pinot Grigio and my husband's Super Tuscan were excellent. We chose a single glass rather than a full bottle. * Bread: The bread was outstanding, served in generous portions. * CG Signature Shrimp ($22): Extra-large, roasted in garlic butter and seasoned breadcrumbs. We received three nice-sized shrimp with plenty of flavorful garlic butter left over, which was fantastic for dipping the bread. Entrees * Fiore Borghese ($24): Small, flower-shaped hollow noodles tossed in a pink Cognac sauce with prosciutto, onions, and parsley. The portion was good and shareable, but the pasta was slightly short of al dente and could have used another minute in the pot. While the first few bites were nice, the dish quickly proved to be very one-note; it would make a great side option, but it felt heavy and repetitive as a main entree. Additionally, no extra Parmesan cheese was offered tableside--even though we noticed another diner nearby being offered it--and this dish could have really used it, or perhaps it just wasn't designed for it. * Veal Parmigiano ($55): Bone-in, breaded, and baked with pomodoro sauce and CG cheeses. We had looked forward to this signature dish, and the size was very good and definitely shareable. The pomodoro sauce was the undisputed star of the dish--vibrant and delicious. Unfortunately, everything else missed the mark. The cheese was not melted through and was coolish at best. More importantly, the meat was very difficult to cut even with the heavy steak knives provided, snagging on silver skin, turning out quite chewy, and lacking proper seasoning. At $55, this was a major letdown. Dessert & Coffee * Tiramisu ($12): Ladyfingers, espresso, and mascarpone cheese--very nice. * Chocolate Cake ($12): Triple-chocolate--excellent. * Espresso: A great way to cap off the meal. Service Our server, Noah, provided a mixed-at-best experience alongside his helper. While they were initially attentive with clearing plates and refilling glasses, the pacing went completely off the rails toward the end of the meal. Noah wasn't very chatty (no real personal warmth,) and we had to prompt him to ask if there were any daily specials. Worse still, he cleared my husband's entree plate before I was even halfway finished with mine--making the table feel awkwardly unbalanced--and then dropped the bill right along with our desserts. He even came back to see if we were ready to pay while we were still eating dessert. With the patio only half-full (we arrived at 4:30 PM on a quiet Sunday) and us having been there just a little over an hour, rushing us out like that was completely unnecessary and frustrating. The Verdict With a total of $190 including tax, we expected a seamless, high-end meal. While the patio, wine, starters, and desserts were highlights of the night, the execution errors on the heavily hyped veal and the one-note pasta mean we likely won't rush back for dinner anytime soon.

Anthonino's was the culinary highlight of our trip to St Louis. Located well-outside of Downtown,…read moreit is located in a largely residential neighborhood. We had 6pm reservations and were seated on time but people without reservations faced a 2 hour wait. Make reservations! Upon entering, there is a hostess stand and small bar with seating extending to the back of the building. We had the first table so I can't comment on the full size. My son ordered a Bloody Mary and I had a Pinot Noir while we looked at menu. Bloody Mary was very good and the wine was pleasant. We started with Garlic Bread with Cheese. It was the only menu item I would not order again. Flavors did not come together. I ate my fair share so it was good. Just not great. We then shared a cheese pizza with provel. Elite crust and sauce! The crust had an amazing char and the sauce was deliciously nuanced. The cheese was very good, but most definitely not the star of the pie. Pasta Pomodoro was wonderful. House made pasta was excellent and the sauce was a perfect accompaniment. (Anthonino's really does sauces well!) I finished with tiramisu and I am so glad I did! Did I need it? No. Did I want it? Heck yeah! I think I will be wanting it every day for a long time to come! All of the staff were welcoming and friendly, while remaining efficient. Nice group of people. I would love to be a regular here.

​Took some out-of-town coworkers here for Italian based on all the glowing recommendations, and it…read moredid not disappoint! ​Online reservations were a breeze, and we were seated right away. The atmosphere is lovely, and the smell of fresh food as you walk in instantly sets the mood (just give yourself a few extra minutes for street parking). Our server, Cherish, was outstanding--warm, fast, and attentive. ​Everyone loved their meal, the food arrived quickly, and the toasted raviolis are an absolute must-try. Wonderful experience from start to finish. I'll definitely be returning!

I went in and off the rip my waitress was not friendly and was rushing us to order. When I got my…read morefood there was a piece of hair in it,when I told them about it our waiter rolled her eyes and walked away.the food was also pretty bland. I also noticed insects bye the register near the kitchen, so for the money I would definitely go elsewhere

A neighborhood restaurant. As soon as I walked in the smell of Italian cooking had my mouth…read morewatering.Very relaxed atmosphere with a cozy feeling. The place was packed so service was slow which would be expected. The food was delicious which would explain how busy the place was. I will be returning.

Absolutely amazing food and service was spot on. This place is my go to when I return to St. Louis.read more

We had never been here and went because it was close to the airport. It's small and cozy inside and…read moresmelled so good when we walked in. We had a very nice friendly waiter. He recommended the Chicken Parmesan and Alfredo pasta and a side of Italian potatoes. We loved the atmosphere and the food. We will come back next time we visit St Louis.

Lombardos -- what a full-circle night! I can't believe it. I…read moreworked here 28 years ago to pay off some debt to my friend who had paid for my veil and ski trip. Walking back in brought back so many memories. The dining room looks way better, but thankfully the food is still delish. We came for the fried spinach, and it did NOT disappoint. It's truly one of a kind. The tortellini was delicious too--my husband loved it--and the focaccia bread was delish. I also loved the Folino Cabernet. Our waiter was great and the service was awesome. It was a little slower, which I actually liked. We had our own booth in the back, and it felt very cozy, romantic and kind of sexy back there. And our waiter totally reminded me of Mr. Moseby from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody! They've expanded, but otherwise, so much still feels the same. Unfortunately, the person I used to work for passed away from cancer, which made coming back a little bittersweet. But overall? What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Great food, great service, a cozy atmosphere, and so many memories. I'm so glad we came back & will definitely do it again!!!

We went here for dinner, and it did not disappoint. The fried ravioli and fried artichoke hearts…read morewere such a delicious way to start our meal. I had the chicken and Gorgonzola sauce - the chicken and sauce were divine. The pasta on the side was a little bland, but honestly, everything else was so fantastic this place gets five stars anyway. Service was impeccable. The vibe was perfect. This is my new favorite spot in St. Louis.

The folder is OK. I may have to try something else next time, but the server was very nice. Helping…read moreme in the place is clean.

I haven't been to Lombardo's in a few years but like stopping by when in the area…read more The food is decent and the vibe is cool. This visit was an overall pleasant one. Emily at the bar was friendly and on top of things as the place started to fill up while providing wonderful service to all guests. There was some great conversation between the staff and guests which always makes for a comfortable environment. (Cheers to the 91 year young gentleman whom the staff all seemed to recognize) As I made it for "happy hour" I opted for the bacon wrapped artichoke hearts. They had a nice flavor and hit the spot. Now why the lower star rating you might ponder? While I was sitting at the bar I noticed a woman (might be the owner) walk up to the well behind the bar and scoop ice from a glass while the bartender was taking care of another customer. For those who have ever worked in a bar/reataurant, we KNOW that this is a HUGE "do not do!!!" It's restaurant 101 for a reason! Glass can chip and shatter into the ice. Guests can potentially consume ice and the glass chips. No bartender ever wants to "burn the well." I don't care how long you've been in business, please lead by example.

We were at a birthday dinner with a party of 6, including a 2 year old and a 4 year old. We ordered…read moredrinks for the children and the manager immediately came over to apologize, stating that cups with lids had not arrived in that day's shipment. The drinks were served in regular glasses. However, 10 minutes later the waiter arrived with the cups with lids. The manager had sent someone across the street to Walgreen's to buy the cups and lids! The food and service at Napoli Kirkwood are amazing.

Amazing experience and much of it was our amazing waiter! Forgive me, I forgot his name, but he…read moresaid he's been waiting for 30 years, has a gruff voice, and knows what feels like everything about the restaurant's history?? The food only made the experience better. Our waiter recommended the crispy tuna rice and it was astounding. I was the only one who wanted to try so he even just got the kitchen to make me a single piece! Everyone's food was great. I chose the rigatoni bolognese and it was rich, creamy, and perfectly sized. Yum!

While in St Louis I was told I had to try the baked/fried ravioli and Claude mentioned Mama's on…read moreThe Hill as the place that invented this quirky product. Mama's is in the Little Italy area of St Louis and the neighborhood is very charming and well laid out but not ostentatiously. There is ample sidewalk seating and inside seating. Luckily Mama's has a small bar inside with seats as this place was busy on Sunday night. I took a seat at the bar and ate there. I had great service from the two friendly bartenders during my visit. I had the famous ravioli along with a glass of Chianti which always goes well with red sauces. For the ravioli I had the half meat and half cheese selection. The order was served piping hot and with a generous bowl of tasty marinara sauce for dipping. After using a fork for the first one, I switched back to using my hands for the remainder of the order. These ravioli were tasty and well made with a light coating and dusted with parsley but I didn't get the hype. Maybe it's just a St Louis thing? I really think if I return here one day, I'll also try the other Italian dishes offered as they looked awesome as the went by my seat (I was next to the kitchen). I really loved the marinara sauce that was served with my ravioli and that is always a good sign of good food at an Italian restaurant. Mama's has a lot of charm and great staff and is super popular in this seemingly cohesive community. A great place to visit.

1) White sangria 10/10 - Perfectly refreshing Toasted…read moreravioli 10/10 - Left wanting more after we finished the 10 PCs we had 2) Manicotti 10/10 3) Lobster Ravioli 9/10 - Perfection except there was a tad too much sauce that I couldn't really see what I was eating or when my filling fell out and was hiding in the sauce 4) Risotto Frutti Di Mare 10/10 - They even brought an extra small dish for the shells! How thoughtful! Can't wait to get this again. 5) Spumoni 8/10 - Tasted great, just served in such a small dish, it made it difficult to eat at first and was melting over the sides of the bowl right at the start. Couldn't dig the spoon in easily for fear of it pushing right out of the bowl. 6) Lemoncello Cake - Perfect for someone like me who loves lemon cake. Not overly sweet - just right. Serving size was perfect for an individual. 7) Chocolate Cake - Perfect serving size for one, my friend had this, so I'll definitely try it next time. This was our first visit. We have now downloaded the restaurant's mobile app and plan on placing future takeout and delivery orders as well.