From a Japanese omakase experience to two new Italian restaurants, there are some great new spots in the St. Louis area.
Sauci Pasta in St. Charles Credit: photo by Lauren HealeySauci Pasta
From the team behind Fratelli Ristorante, Sauci Pasta is St. Charles’ new fast-casual Italian restaurant that’s absolutely worth a visit. You can build your own bowl, but we wanted to try the composed dishes like the deconstructed lasagna and pesto primavera, both of which were quite tasty. The meatballs were our favorite protein, but the chicken that can be added to the pasta was also juicy and tender. All the pasta dishes are available in regular or small sizes, so you can order the smaller portions and try more dishes — what a dream. While there’s not technically a kids’ menu, an order of the canestri served with their delicious white sauce appears enough like mac and cheese to please any young child and tastes even better than the old standby. We totally fumbled and forgot to order one of their salads, but you can bet we’ll be trying one on the next visit.
1990 First Capitol Drive, St. Charles, 636.757.3307, saucipasta.com Credit: photo by Lauren HealeySauci Pasta pesto primavera Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyMarconi Mercato
If you think the Hill doesn’t need another Italian restaurant, think again because Marconi Mercato recently joined the throng and we’re totally here for it. The front of the new business is a market full of pasta, fun Italian drinks, meat from Kenrick’s, ready-to-eat meals and more. In the back, there’s a full-service restaurant complete with a bar. The whole experience was delightful. The bianca focaccia was perhaps the softest bread we’ve ever had — almost cake-like in texture and served alongside a creamy basil butter and generously topped with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. The bibb lettuce salad was another hit with radicchio, red onion, shaved fennel, radish and provolone, dressed with blood orange vinaigrette and topped with pistachio crumbs. The wagyu sliders served on pretzel buns were juicy and flavorful thanks to basil aioli, onion jam and caciocavera cheese. For the entree, the tagliatelle Bolognese is a rich and hearty crowd-pleaser. On the cocktail list, we enjoyed the Brezza Floreale, a fruity sipper with notes of elderflower, and the coffee-forward Cafe Napoli, which was somehow reminiscent of root beer.
2030 Marconi Ave., St. Louis, 314.380.9003, marconimercato.com Credit: photo of bianca focaccia by Lauren HealeyMarconi Mercato bibb lettuce salad Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyMarconi Mercato tagliatelle Bolognese Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyMarconi Mercato wagyu sliders Credit: photo by Lauren HealeyPavilion at Sado
Nick Bognar’s latest venture takes place behind Sado, his new(ish) restaurant on the Hill. It’s an 18-course, Thai-inspired omakase experience in an intimate, custom-built wood and glass-enclosed pavilion in the back of the Sado property. Here, Bognar combines his skills in Japanese, Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine and features his extensive dry-aged fish program, taking you on a journey through different types of nigiri and much more. Seating is extremely limited and reservations get snapped up almost immediately once released, so keep an eye on Pavilion’s social media for updates and your chance to try this unique experience.
5201 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 314.390.2883, sado-stl.com Credit: photo courtesy of Pavilion
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Lauren is a longtime journalist who has honed her writing, reporting, editing and photography skills in various roles at newspapers, magazines and websites in the Midwest. Her time spent with Sauce since...
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