The space that was previously occupied by Mihalis Chophouse has been snatched up by restaurateur Sam Kacar. Kacar recently closed Branica of Kirkwood at 451 S. Kirkwood Road, soon to be home to a relocated Sapore Italian Cafe. Pan D’Olive, Kacar’s new venture, is slated to open this Friday at 1603 McCausland Ave., in Richmond Heights.
A press release refers to the fare at Pan D’Olive as “Mediterranean cuisine with a California twist.” Kacar explained that while the “recipes and spices are definitely Mediterranean,” the presentation will be “slick, the new trend, California style.” As an example, he cited plating sauces underneath proteins as opposed to on top, the latter being more “typical of Mediterranean cuisine.”
Pan D’Olive will serve lunch and dinner. In the section of its menu called “Mezes,” more than a dozen appetizers are listed, including: turkey kofte sliders with mint yogurt; red beak pilaki with olive oil and carrots; and phyllo cigars stuffed with herbed feta. Also available are house-made flatbreads and a variety of bruschetta. Entrees include meat and seafood dishes, along with fresh pasta and risotto. A signature house-made olive bread, for which the restaurant is named, is served warm with olive oil. Helming the kitchen is chef René Cruz. He helped open Mosaic downtown in 2004 and also served as executive chef for now-defunct Red, also on Washington Avenue. According to Kakar, Cruz has returned to St. Louis after working as an executive chef at a restaurant in Florida.
The Pan D’Olive wine list features California and Mediterranean wines, including a sizeable amount of value-priced, by-the-glass offerings and a list of 300 wines by the bottle. The full-service bar also has a specialty cocktail list and offers a small-plate menu available in the 100-seat bar area.
While the restaurant has a 50-seat main dining area, there is a private, 75-seat wine room in the lower level and patio seating available during warm weather.
Pan D’Olive will be open seven days a week. Weekday hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant also offers Sunday brunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant’s website, pandolive.com, is expected to launch later today, but you can click here for an early peek at the dinner menu or make a reservation by calling 314.647.8000.
This article appears in November 2012.