It was all about craft beer and iconic dishes during my third day in St. Louis. Later that evening, I went to the Italian-American neighborhood of The Hill for dinner at Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill.
The longtime Italian restaurant is a St. Louis landmark. The popular spot is considered one the the best in the neighborhood. I didn’t have a reservation and the place was packed, but I spotted a seat at the bar and began with a glass of red wine.
Another must-try dish while in St. Louis are toasted ravioli. At Charlie Gitto’s, it’s described as “The Original” handmade meat-filled ravioli with their famous pomodoro sauce. I don’t remember the last time I had toasted ravioli, but I enjoyed them and the sauce was good.
For my mains, I ordered the Veal Nunzio – thinly sliced veal topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and finished with CG cheeses and lemon butter sauce. The veal was tender and the sauce was rich and slightly tart. I also ordered the Penne Borghese as a side. The penne is tossed in a tasty pink Cognac sauce with prosciutto, onions and parsley.
Dinner at Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill was just what I was looking for that night. It was a nice Italian meal with good service and a cozy ambiance. I was absolutely stuffed and decided to call it a night. The next day was game day!
It was my final day in St. Louis and I decided to visit the iconic Gateway Arch in the morning.
I had no idea you could go inside the 630-foot monument! There’s an interactive museum that features over 200 years of history within six themed exhibit areas. You can also purchase a ticket to take the unique tram ride to the top for great views of the city. It was really cool and worth checking out!
It was a cold and windy day. After The Arch, I speedily walked to Gioia’s Deli for lunch. The casual sandwich shop is known for their homemade hot salami sandwiches.
I ordered the Hot Salami on garlic cheese bread with Provel cheese, lettuce, pepperoncini, mustard, and mayo.
It was a fantastic sandwich! The salami is thick and sliced fresh to order. Good stuff!
With some sightseeing and lunch out of the way, I still had time for a major brewery tour before the hockey game.
Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill
5226 Shaw Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 772-8898
Website
The Gateway Arch
4th Street across from the Old Courthouse
between Market & Chestnut Streets
St. Louis, MO 63110
Website
Gioia’s Deli
903 Pine Street
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 776-9410
Website
