Rigazzi's
Rigazzi's is known perhaps best for its Frozen Fishbowl, or drink specials at a discounted price in an over-sized margarita glass. The restaurant offers the basic dishes diners expect--baked pastas, creamy fettuccine dishes, cannelloni and ziti--but it also has veal, chicken and seafood. The restaurant features a distinctive house salad dressing--vinaigrette that includes Dijon mustard, lemon, garlic and balsamic vinegar. The place is open late, and if you stay late, the chef may offer more generous portions.
Rigazzi's
4945 Daggett Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 772-4900
saucemagazine.com/rigazzis
Favazza's
This restaurant in a turn-of-the-century building specializes in large parties and wedding rehearsal dinners, but it also has a substantial daily menu, including classics such as penne primavera, ravioli, lasagna and spaghetti. The daily specials are sometimes the most enticing offerings at dinnertime, as they are the chef's twist on the basic dishes. The restaurant also serves steak, chicken, veal, seafood and salads that come with a typical Italian house salad--lettuce, red onions, parmesan cheese, house dressing, provel cheese, ham, salami and olives.
Favazza's
5201 Southwest Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63139
(314) 772-4454
favazzas.com
Amighetti's Bakery & Cafe
Go at lunchtime, because this place doesn't stay open late. And allow plenty of time, because the line often is out the restaurant's door. Some say Amighetti's serves the best sandwiches in the city. The most popular, the Amighetti's Special, includes crusty white bread, a variety of meats, brick cheese, vegetables and a special dressing. And one of the best parts is the price--cheaper than smaller submarine sandwiches at chain restaurants and made with fresher ingredients. Pasta dishes also are available. Homemade cannoli is available to top off a meal. The restaurant has two other locations, in Rock Hill and Hazelwood, both suburbs of St. Louis.
Amighetti's Bakery & Cafe
5141 Wilson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 776-2855
9438 Manchester
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 962-6030
209 Village Square Shopping Center
Hazelwood, MO 63042
(314) 551-0200
amighettis.com
Charlie Gitto's
This restaurant is rumored to be the place where St. Louis' famed toasted ravioli---or ravioli stuffed with meat and spices, then breaded and fried---started. The local favorite apparently was the result of a mistake at the restaurant. Now, diners still can find the dish on the menu, along with classic pasta dishes, Neapolitan pizzas, steak, veal, chicken and fish. The restaurant has a second location in Maryland Heights, part of the St. Louis suburbs.
Charlie Gitto's "On the Hill"
5226 Shaw Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 772-8898
Charlie Gitto's "From the Hill"
777 Casino Center Drive
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314) 770-7663
charliegittos.com
