River’s Edge Social will soon fire up the stoves at 6997 Chippewa St., in the former Johnny Gitto’s location. As reported by St. Louis Magazine, Aurel Bardho, who co-owns the restaurant with his father, Fatmir Bardho, said he hopes to open sometime in March.
Owning his own place has long been Aurel Bardho’s aspiration. “Pretty much I’ve done everything, front of the house, back of the house, since I was 15 years old. This has long been my dream, to have my own restaurant,” he said. “We’re excited to bring this to the neighborhood.”
Bardho said the River’s Edge menu of small plates will feature American with Mediterranean influences and include items like gyros, steaks, pasta and pizza. He said the kitchen will start with a standard four-deck pizza oven, but a wood fire oven will eventually take its place.
Running the kitchen will be executive chef Phillip John Paris, an industry veteran who worked with Bardho at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. “We’ll also stick to the seasons and use local farms as much as possible,” Paris said. “We want to start simply and see it grow.”
River’s Edge will seat 150 to 200 including the patio and will also have private banquet room. Bardho said the location was especially attractive since it straddles the St. Louis city/county line at the River Des Peres and is easily accessible.
Hours for River’s Edge will be 10 a.m. to midnight daily during the week, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Bardho said weekend brunch service would kick off shortly after opening.
Matt Sorrell is staff writer at Sauce Magazine.
This article appears in February 2018.