The Best Dining Experience We've Had in St. Louis - Hands Down My husband and I wanted to give our dear friends who are leaving St. Louis one last unforgettable meal from their bucket list, so I immediately recommended Peno. I used to be a regular at Rosé with the same talented Chef Pepe, and his food is truly to die for. We walked in on a beautiful day and were lucky to snag a spot in their small parking lot (parking in the area isn't the easiest, but it's worth it). Our server, Harry, made the evening even better right from the start. He had such a warm, calm, professional presence--the kind that's rare these days. We instantly remembered his name thanks to a fun Harry Potter / Harry and the Hendersons reference, and he handled everything with effortless skill. When our friends had parking trouble, Harry quickly offered helpful suggestions. Then, when it was time to order, he elevated our meal in the best way possible. My husband and I got our longtime favorite--the Roberto pizza from Rosé days--and Harry suggested adding sausage and peppers. That small tweak took something we already loved and made it 1000% better. Absolute perfection. Our friend ordered the spaghetti (her all-time favorite comfort meal), and after taking Harry's thoughtful recommendation, she declared it the best spaghetti she's ever had in her life. We finished with the cheesecake. I'm extremely picky about cheesecake, but this one did not disappoint--it was creamy, rich, and flawless. This was one of those legendary meals you remember forever. The kind where you leave thinking you could die happy. Chef Pepe's food, paired with Harry's outstanding service, made it a perfect night. If you're in St. Louis, do yourself a favor and go to Peno. You won't regret it. Thank you, Harry and team--you helped create a truly special send-off for our friends! read more

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So we went to Peno Italian Soul Food again last night. It's my homemade guilty Italian pleasure. Cooks like my grandma used to cook from Calabria. I ordered the Bronzino and my wife ordered the trout special. Both came out delicious and so scrumptious I could not wait to dig in and I missed my photo opportunity. First ship, but I'm a lovely homegrown tomato salad topped with a corn, cucumber, farro and mint. My Bronzino was served with capers and an olive oil white wine cream sauce with perfectly prepared garlic spinach and a lemon risotto, the trout I believe was olive oil, capers, garlic with spinach and lemon risotto. Both were perfectly prepared crispy skin and moist meat. A basil lemon survey intermezzo followed and for dessert, a fresh peach cupcake with roasted marshmallow atop. Dense and delicious. (See photo) read more

Peno - The Peach cupcake is a fresh and unique dessert highly recommend - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Food is great. But I'm gonna shout out the owner. I've never been treated better at a restaurant in the US. Literally felt like a true Italian experience from a service perspective. Never gonna forget that. read more

Excellent restaurant and service! We had a great meal! Went with another couple and had the following: zucchini blossom app, tucci salad, rucola pizza add pepperoni, chicken spidini, lasagna special and trout. All wonderful! Had tiramisu and banana gelato for dessert. Would order all those items again! Tiffany is a great server! Not sure why I don't hear more buzz about this place! We'll be coming back! read more

We were looking for a place to pop in on Wydown for a drink before a dinner reservation. They were able to get us a couple of bar top seats which was perfect. It's a small intimate environment with lots of families and couples enjoying meals. They have beautiful Italian cocktails on the menu with fresh flavors. Next time we'll have to come back for dinner! read more

Peno - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

OKAY WOW AMAZING!! Peno is gonna be a go to spot. They have 10 oz meatballs for an appetizer and they were so delicious! Also loved their summer time peach slushee topped with prosecco :) for an entree I had the gnocchi and my partner had the Peno pizza. Both were fire! Too full to get dessert and coming back for sure :) it's such a cute vibe and the service was good. read more

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Enjoyed my dinner meal here very much! Joey is an incredible host/waitstaff and was kind helpful attentive. I had the beet salad, mushroom ravioli and tiramisu. Plus a tasty berry mocktail. The restaurant is cozy and in a very nice walkable neighborhood. I can't wait to come back! read more

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From the moment you step in Peno, you're transformed into another world. Italy meet modern day. Pepe Kehm has done an amazing job with the menu. Highlight for sure is the octopus. Cooked just right even if you haven't had it before it's a must try. The crostini is great for soaking up the favorable sauce! Don't forget to get the olive oil infused bread! Cocktails. High quality and crafted are an added delight to the menu. From their home made cellos to the armaros there is something for everyone. A beautiful patio setting or small intimate setting inside this place is great for all occasions. Our friendly waiter Dan had great suggestions and pairing recommendations. Ask them to recommend you something on your next time here. In the outskirts of Clayton, reservations are highly encouraged. read more

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This place was recommended by the bartender of the hotel our business clients were staying at. Food and service were absolutely top notch. Will absolutely be back to enjoy again. read more

Octopus was scrumptious! So tender, perfectly cooked and in a lovely sauce. Server was kind and attentive, drink menu looked good. Tried a special antipasti salad with squash and salami that was lovely. Would definitely go back. Was a bit surprising that we had nearly the whole restaurant to ourselves. read more

What a cute little place! It was perfect to get some Italian soul food on the cool rainy night at the beginning of fall. It's a very cozy atmosphere. Service was attentive and the food was amazing. I tried the meatballs(because if they're on the menu, I'm getting them! Haha). Very juicy and flavorful. And the gnocchi was cooked just right. It's not always the easiest type of pasta to prepare, but they did it! I would recommend getting a reservation as it was packed. A reservation was pretty easy to get, I snagged one the day before with no issue. Keep in mind parking around this area can be terrible. Especially on a weekend evening. It's mostly street parking all over way down. Carpool if you can! read more

Peno - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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I went to Peno on a Saturday night and enjoying a high quality and delicious Italian meal and loved the ambience of this cozy little restaurant. The service was great and friendly and although priced a little higher it offers dishes that set it apart from typical St. Louis American-Italian food (in my opinion). Also I didn't walk away hungry. I ordered the Tagliatele that has sausage and roasted red peppers in a yummy tomato broth and for an appetizer i had Arancini that is risotto and cheese breaded and fried and served in a marinara sauce and is very delicious. The free bread is great and used it to sap up the tomato broth and loved it and cleaned my plate. I want to go back for the pizza sometime. read more

Peno - Tagliatelle. Very good especially with sausage. - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

Id like to add one more comment. I started my meal with the Tucci salad. It was supposed to have roasted red peppers(it had one strip), olives(it had one) onions(it had one small piece) and beans(there were three). A large amount of mozzarella-looked like Provel on top. I did call over the server to clarify if this was what this salad was supposed to be - mostly lettuce. She said yes then brought over a small plate with a few olives. Again, this salad was $15. It must have cost Peno a dollar to make because it was mostly lettuce. I live a few blocks from Peno and love the idea of a neighborhood restaurant we can all embrace. Sadly, I won't be back. read more

Absolutely wonderful time at Peno. Group of 4 with no reservation and we were seated within 5 minutes. First off the bat, the service was top tier. The servers, house manager, and owner were very nice and it made us feel like we were at a friend's home. In terms of food, it was quite tasty. I recommend getting the hand made pasta options. The others got the lamb shank and ravioli which they thought were cooked to perfection. The highlight is the desserts. We got all 4 desserts to taste test. My favorite was the affogato followed by the hazlenut Gelato with waffle. The place is quite pricey but as a once in a while location it stands true for their impressive quality and food. read more

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Came here to celebrate my engagement with some girlfriends. It was a hot evening and we were sat outside. Although it was covered, it wasn't cool enough. That should be an option to pick when making reservations online. We started with a round of drinks and everyone enjoyed it. For food, we shared: Braised octopus Zucchini flowers Spaghetti Tuttomare Calabrese Chick Pea Pesto Wild Mushroom Ravioli Tiramisu Marsala Zabaione We all agreed that the pastas and dessert were all just ok. They lacked flavor and sauce in some way. However, we really liked the complimentary bread and apps. read more

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This was my first time at Peno, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the service was quick and very personable. We sat on the patio by the heaters and it was perfect. Cannot wait to come back and try some other dishes! read more

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Great Italian food with cocktails to boot! Salad was light and refreshing. Sausage Tagliatelle was very good but my favorite was Veal Cannelloni which was packed with flavor, balanced between veal, cheese and tomato sauce, and beautifully presented. All our food got 5/5 stars - the one critique I have is the pasta in both dishes was overcooked. Portions are large so be prepared for leftovers. The outdoor seating area does face the road and decorations aren't anything special. There are quite a few regulars / guests familiar to the waitstaff which makes it feel like a family restaurant. Overall, high marks and I plan to return. read more

Peno - Tagliatelle with Sausage - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Located in the heart of Clayton, Peno Soul Food offers Southern Italian traditions. Stepping into this cozy spot feels like entering a rustic home kitchen with dishes prepared with lots of soul. The octopus was juicy and prepared in a red sauce, a unique take on the dish. The gnocchi was so simple and perfect. I absolutely love the fusion of the olive and grape salad. The Chef Owner Pepe is a trip. We love him! You can taste the love and passion that goes into every plate. read more

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We came to Peno (pronounced PAY-no) for a late dinner last night with no expectation, but we were very impressed with their outstanding food quality and an exceptional staffs/service. We got seated immediately on a covered patio. Soon after that, my server brought water and bread to our table. I love how cozy and elegant the restaurant is. For appetizer, we got the Sicilian eggplant. I am a sucker for Asian eggplant dishes, so we were both really excited to try this dish. After the first bite, I couldn't stop eating. The owner/chef Pepe really took this simple ingredient to another level. The eggplant flesh was so tender and sweet. The tomato sauce was well seasoned and had great flavor. Must try item 10/10!!! For entrée, my partner wanted to try the Roasted lamb shank Calabrese but it was sold out. He got the Tagliatelle instead. He wasn't a fan of the pasta texture - too soft for his liking, but nothing wrong with the dish. I got the Spaghetti tutto mare substituted with white sauce. Seafood was very fresh and I loved the sauce - rich, creamy but not overwhelming. I definitely will come back for the seafood stew and lamb shank. I didn't plan to drink tonight but it was such a good vibe here...So I got the Pink Sangria which was suggested by my waitress. I was happy with it over the red sangria. And my partner got the Berry Basil Smash (non alcoholic) and wow it was so refreshing. Of course we couldn't leave without having tiramisu for dessert. My waitress was amazing and attentive. She asked if I wanted a bowl for seafood shell : ) . I ordered a watermelon Italian soda for my little one, and she offered to switch the drink from glass to plastic cup. She came by a few times to check if we needed anything or if we were satisfied with our food. Overall, we had a fantastic time here. We"ll definitely come back to try their Mare pizza.They looked delicious from other tables' orders. We left very full and happy : ) read more

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Had the most amazing experience! We went for my birthday and the food was absolutely incredible! I had lobster stuffed pasta, shells, and my partner had the smoked salmon spaghetti the flavor of both the dishes was absolutely insane! The service was great! Everything was quick and recommendations that were made were fantastic! I can't wait for our next special occasion to come back again! read more

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The food was delicious! The arancini and eggplant were quite filling as appetizers and I would highly recommend. The lamb shank melts in your mouth and the bruschetta fresh. The place was relatively busy for a Friday evening, but if you go before typical dinner rush, a reservation isn't needed. The service was great and the vibes were good all around. They have indoor and covered outdoor seating. A nice place to go if you're looking to treat yourself for some high end Italian. Plus, the tiramisu was SO good. read more

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My husband and I came here for date night on a Friday. We had a reservation but the place was not packed. There also is a parking lot but it's not very big so just be aware you'll most likely have to drive around to find parking. The place is small and cute with a nice patio. The patio was covered when we went and it was a chilly night but it was warm on the covered patio. To start we got the braised octopus. This was very good!! The octopus was not super chewy and was cooked perfectly. Next we got a house salad to split and I really enjoyed it. I got the chicken ravioli special as my main dish. This was not to my liking. It didn't really have a lot of flavor and tasted watery. My husband got the Rigatoni Norma. This was very good and had a lot of flavor! Overall, this was a good experience and we will come back for another nice little date night! read more

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Had a really good time at peno! Everything we ordered was delicious. The Sicilian eggplant was amazing. Drinks were also good. Service was great as well. We love the area it's nestled in. Very beautiful and near a residential area. There's only street parking around but it wasn't hard for us to find a spot. Will definitely be back to try more food! read more

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The owner was very present and talked to our table. Made several recommendations which were excellent. The waitress was very attentive and did a perfect job. I love this place. read more

What a fabulous spot! From the incredible friendly service, absolutely delicious eggplant appetizer, The lasagna, and a trout with lemon butter that was the best I'd ever had. Pepe came out and greeted us and was so warm and welcoming. It's a small intimate place, and I highly recommend it. read more

Happened upon Peno for dinner. We were promptly seated on the heated patio, which was important in that we didn't have long for dinner. Harry was our server and he was super helpful with our menu choices and the expedited delivery of our food. We ordered the goat cheese bruschetta, house salad and the branzino special. Delicious. We look forward to coming again! Harry was amazing!! read more

Peno - Branzino special - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Extremely disappointed. Pasta was overcooked and sauces were bland. Our server described one special, but the server at the next table offered up four. The owner and chef meanwhile chatted at a nearby hightop when I think they might have been better off checking on the kitchen. The prices warrant much better. I want Peno to succeed as I live nearby. read more

Always amazing food. Went on a double date on Friday night for dinner. No wait, service as quick, and Pepe was stopping by each table to make sure everything was top tier. Favorite Italian spot in the area. read more

All around we were very happy, had never been. Great food. Nice atmosphere. Very good service. Definitely will go back.

THE best! Service & atmosphere is beyond exceptional. If you want the most phenomenal dishes come here immediately. read more

The food was fine but the price is hefty. We started with the octopus which was excellent; the highlight of the meal. If the meal had stopped there, five stars. It was perfectly tender, deliciously cooked in a rich, spiced calabrian sauce that was incredibly. Great to pair with some bread to soak up all the sauce. I got the chick pea pesto while my wife got the gluten free pasta with meatballs. Being southern Italian food, both were very dry with minimal sauce, which is fine if the flavor is bolder, punchier. But it wasn't. It was far more subtle and was almost crying out for stronger flavors, like the octopus had. But at $30+ for a pasta that needed stronger flavor, it was just a bit disappointing overall. read more

Great service and our meals were delicious! The menu changes frequently which I love!

Spent my birthday at this wonderful place! My best friend set up a reservation and had high recommendations for Peno. The area is darling and so is the restaurant. Very intimate vibe. We were on the heated and covered patio. There are only a few tables inside and we had a large group. The service was fantastic while we were here. I had the gin and juice cocktail, French 75 and an espresso martini and they were all stellar. My friend and I split two of their pizzas and they were wonderful. Good portion sizes with plenty of leftovers. Everyone at the table loved their food and drinks. My friends brought a cake in for my birthday and they put a sparkler candle in it for us. Highly recommend for a special occasion or date night! read more

First time here. It came highly recommended, Not my favorite spot! Food was over priced for what we got. Not super impressed overall and service was just average. read more

Peno - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Wow, my updated review got deleted. Don't have the bandwidth to rehash what was written previously, but long story short... while the food may be amazing, the way the owner treats his clients is unacceptable. Tried to provide constructive criticism after a terrible experience and rather than taking ownership of the matter, pointed the finger at the client for not being more understanding. I've never been more embarrassed for recommending this place to family, friends, and customers of my own. read more

‼‼‼‼Caveat emptor ‼‼‼‼ I literally cried after leaving. We paid $12 for olive oil and the presentation of bottle service on a severely crooked table so it became a weird almost like a pour paint experience the waiter poured before us. We ordered the anchovy toast and zero Calabrian chili and it wasn't anchovy paste but it was anchovy laterally cut with mixed greens in olive oil. Fritters of zucchini were the highlight and it was just not the worst part. The place was grungy without intent, this isn't punk. $14 for a 6 oz hugo spritz and $11 for a 4 oz pour. Both were flat and they were out of our first (two) choices of wine and out of our first choice of olive oil we paid $12 for. This place is a rip off, and I was there an hour and a half without the waiter asking if we'd like to order more than what we got as starters and there were 14 people in the entire place at that time. I wanted to show my best friend a great place as another friend had recommended this place, but literally left in tears. ‼update‼ My industry friend gave Pepe my number and he was not polite nor open to hearing me in any way. I'll attach what transpired for your own decision, but be forewarned, this is real and it was terrifying. Oh and then music was loud, distracting and probably good to take your mind off how ridiculously bad and overpriced the food is. It went from 70's to TLC no scrubs, which was my favorite part of the meal. 1/10 for me and I wanted so badly to have a wonderful experience. Do not waste your time or money, just go to Pastaria. read more

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We had such a lovely meal and experience. Our waitstaff was great! Laura was attentive in all the best ways and was super pleasant and helpful. We had a lovely chat with Harry. We really liked him too. The food was excellent and the ambience was lovely. Good experience all the way around. Love this place. read more

It literally started with Julie and this review is just as much about her as it is the incredibly delicious meal I enjoyed. I called to see if they had any openings for one. She didn't miss a beat and told me the outdoor heated patio was plenty warm. Which it was. She greeted me warmly at the door and welcomed me in having just ended our phone conversation. You'd think that just being nice and welcoming is a given but at Peno it's sincere. And it wasn't just me, she had regulars at the table next to me and Julie's interaction with them was closer to greeting people at her door and welcoming in for a dinner party. Pepe also came out and chatted them up prior to leaving for the night. Because he wanted to interact with his guests. Get the pistachio-encrusted branzino. Day-yum. It rests on a bed of risotto and is paired with sauteed spinach and roasted red pepper. It goes well with the chardonnay. Julie didn't have to but she offered up an incredible berries/zabaglione on the house because I told her it was my first time there. That's how you get customers from Kansas City to drive to St Louis for a meal. Thank you, Julie. Thank you for making a solo business traveler looking for a good meal feel like he was dining with family. 11 out of 5 possible stars. read more

Peno - Berries and Zabaglione - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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Wow, I am sooooo disappointed I have to write this as it seems this place has so much potential & after hearing from friends how great it was, maybe it was an off night? I enjoyed the cool location and awesome vibe this place has; think hip and chic, with a slight touch of old school Italian, lively crowd...really cool. Sat on the enclosed patio (highly recommend!) and couldn't wait to give this place a try because up to this point...it was looking good!! And then it went sideways... I'm not sure if our server was brand new, untrained or just not good...but he really needs some coaching. "Welcome to Peno's, is this your first time with us?" perhaps might be the way to begin...and it kept going downhill from there. He would leave us for long periods of time without checking in; first the drink order (gone forever until he brought the drinks then leave) come back and then the app order (gone forever again) and finally the dinner order...then he got the dinner wrong. Ugh! There was so much more...bottom line, he seemed waaaay over his head for a table on the Friday night before a holiday weekend. So it truly became a domino effect and reached a point that we had to laugh, seriously. The food...my Seafood Stew was awesome. Hearty and fresh. The Shrimp Scampi, unbelievable! The Sea Bass, a little "meh" (should have warned my friend it would be smothered in red sauce) and the pizza, a bit of a disappointment (perhaps this was because it was the dinner item that came out wrong originally.) So I'm conflicted now...do I give Peno's another shot? So much potential and maybe it was all messed up due my server? So while this review is only a 3 star...I'd encourage you to give this place a look...again SO MUCH POTENTIAL! I probably will... read more

We had a great evening. Our server was fantastic with his recommendations and made his rounds often for drinks and to clear out dishes. We got the Olive and Grape salad first to share and it was good. Didn't blow us away, but the dressing was solid. Then we ordered the Vedore Miste pizza and the Tagliatelle. Both were amazing. We were a little full from the bread/salad by this time. The crust was perfectly done and the goat cheese on this added a nice flavor to it. The Tagliatelle was just as good if not better. Our server recommended adding in some extra Parmesan cheese to thicken up the sauce and I would suggest that to others as well! The noodles were probably the best part of this dish. read more

Peno - Tagliatelle - Italian Near Me - Clayton, Missouri

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