Dining Out with Deb STL: 11/01/2010

Monday, November 29, 2010

CHARLIE GITTO'S - On The Hill

Charlie Gitto's opened in 1981 in the building that once housed Angelo's ( whose kitchen is responsible for the birth of the Toasted Ravioli). It has been featured in Food & Wine, USA Today, Southern Living, Food Network & Travel Channel. They also have two Certified Sommeliers, and Three Certified Wine Specialist. There are now 3 locations in the St. Louis area. The original location Charlie Gitto's on the Hill is at 26 Shaw Ave, St. Louis. Charlie Gitto's from the Hill is at Harrah's Casino in Maryland Heights, and the newest location is at 15525 Olive Blvd., Chesterfield, MO. (Formerly the Uno's)

Loved this wine selection. It was a happy medium for those who wanted a white and those that wanted a red wine. David Bruce Pino Noir

Toasted Ravioli - $9 "The Original" Pillow-shaped pasta stuffed w/ meat & deep fried.

Mixed Green Salad w/ Sweet & Sour Italian Vinaigrette

Italian Chopped Salad $8 - Greens, red onion, tomato, zuchinni, calamata olives, pepperoncini, white beans, pancetta, gorganzola, Genoa salami, in a roasted Asiago dressing.

Homemade Six Layer Lasagna $16 - Meat filled lasagna baked w/ tomato & cream sauce

Chicken Nunzio w/ Crabmeat $22 - Chicken breast sauteed, topped w/ fresh crab meat & fontina cheese topped w/ lemon butter sauce.

Tortellini ala Panna $17 - Meat filled tortellini w/ fresh mushrooms, peas, and prociutto, tossed in a fresh parmesan cheese sauce.

1/2 order of Seafood Pasta Suzanne $10 - Fettuccine in a spicy three- pepper cream sauce w / fresh little neck clams, shrimp, scallops, & langastinos.

Pasta Special: Cajun Beef Pasta

Scallops

Veal Nunzio $27 - Veal Sauteed, topped w/ fresh crab meat and fontina cheese topped w/ lemon butter sauce.

Chicken Marsala $17 - Boneless breast of chicken sauteed w/ a sweet marsala wine sauce and mushrooms.

Creme Brulee

Cheesecake

Fresh Gelato

A wonderful dining experience. We had a group of 10 and we sat in a private room. Well worth the drive to "Da Hill"!

MANGIA ITALIANO - Tower Grove South

Mangia Italiano - 3145 S. Grand, St. Louis, Mo 63118.
http://www.dineatmangia.com/

I recently stopped here for lunch and was instantly in love. My waiter, Tod, informed me that all the pastas and deserts are made fresh and their pastas are served at many of the finest restaurants and grocers. Dierbergs and Whole Foods sell their pastas! This place is nothing fancy. Just a casual, bar/restaurant w/ the focus on good pasta dishes!

Appetizers such as an Asiago Dip, polenta fries w/ chipotle aioli, duck potstickers, smoked trout on a corn pancake w horseradish creme fraiche.

Lots of salads - Mangia Salad, Poached Fig w/ Bleu Cheese, Spinach, and Beet Salad.

Pizza's - Helena w/ shrimp, roasted peppers, feta & pesto $8

BLT Pizza - pancetta, sun dried tomato, greens & mozzarella $8

But the stars of the menu are the fresh Pasta Selections:

Spaghetti Carbonara $13

Lasagna Bolegnese $14

Duck Ravioli $15

Shrimp Rosotto $15

Tod recommend I try the Baked Spaghetti Mangia $13 Double baked spaghetti in sauce w/ cheese filling.

I was worried baked spaghetti would be dry. But it was moist and so delicious and yes, I finished the whole thing.

I cannot wait to go back and try more pasta!

Mangia started in 1983 as a fresh pasta shop and has evolved into a full service funky restaurant and fresh pasta maker. Everything they serve is made from scratch. The vibe is fun and funky and casual. Stay late for free live bands. Check out the murals on the wall that is work in progress.

We finally made it back for dinner and everyone really enjoyed the meal!