Dining on The Hill with Al Capone
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Happy Thursday, Boomers. Well, I’ve been back in the saddle for a few days now after a weekend in St. Louis. I’m always game for a road trip. New faces, places, scenery, and new restaurants to try. From New Orleans to St. Louis within two weeks time, I’ve gotta stop eating like this!
Over the years I have been to Saint Louis numerous times, but never made it to “The Hill”. Well, this time I wasn’t coming home without going! The Hill is a primarily Italian neighborhood within St. Louis. The neighborhood is home to locally renowned restaurants, bakeries, and specialty grocery stores. The fire hydrants are proudly painted red, white, and green, the colors of the Italian flag.
You see, I had this surprise party (hehehehe) to go to Saturday evening. So the plan was to go to The Hill for lunch. After checking out the Shop the Hill website, I decided to try Rigazzi’s, home of the Frozen Fishbowl, on The Hill since 1957.
The reviews I read before going were mixed. Everybody has his/her own idea of what “true Italian” food should taste like. I rather enjoyed my Mostoccioli with Marinara. The pasta was cooked perfectly and there was just the right amount of sauce, unlike some restaurants that serve your Penne drowning in sauce. The Marinara reminded me of a tomato gravy I grew up eating. No Carb counting for Me. I love my C’s too much, Carbs, Caffeine, and Chocolate! Dr. Atkins can Kiss My Grits!
Not only was the food good, so was the service, and the atmosphere. The front dining room adjacent to the bar is donned with red-checkered tablecloths, stained/painted-glass windows encompassing a Fishbowl Glass, and a life-size mannequin of Al Capone, seated at a corner table. Along the walls are shelves lined with celebrity dolls of The Beatles, The Blues Brothers, The Three Stooges, and The Marx Brothers; to name a Few.
Next trip I’m going to have one of their pizzas. Their St. Louis Style Pizza with Provel was voted one of the USA’s Best pizzas by Bon Appetit Magazine, Jan. ’95. Another one of their specialties is their Toasted Ravioli. If you’re ever in St. Louis check out Rigazzi’s on The Hill.
Bon Appetite
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