I just returned from three days in St. Louis. I had an Imo's pizza (onion and green pepper) and a great dinner on The Hill at Mama Cassini's (pasta carbonara). Yes, Austin doesn't seem to have any restaurants that can replicate either of these dishes. That's too bad, but it isn't the end of the world . . . it sure would be nice if one of the local joints would read this newsgroup every once in awhile, though. The Beckers and I would keep them in business. jim andrews
St. Louis, MO
Italian food taunt for diplaced midwesterners
We've found no place in Austin that compares, but if you can tolerate the construction trek down 35, there are three places in San Antonio - two named Fratelli's Italiano (no relation to the one that used to be on West Florissant) and one named Zingaro's Italian Grill. The menus are pretty similar, and they are run by a family from St. Louis (they have a small restaurant on the Hill in St. Louis but I don't remember the name). We try to make it down at least once a month for a home food fix. Anyway, here are some tips: We prefer the location on Callaghan Road primarily because it reminds us more of the old places back home. Do order the Toasted Ravioli. They make them in house and are actually better than most served in STL. Avoid the hybrid Toasted Tortelli unless you like spicy. I think they are targeting the jalapeno crowd with these. The Chicken Maritati (sp? stuffed chicken) is excellent and my wife's favorite. I really enjoy the regular spinach meat ravioli with a side of their homemade sausage with mostaccioli. Pizzas can be very much like home but you have to specify that you want it St. Louis style. I say "can be" because it depends who makes them. We've had great pizzas there, but we've also had them when they were made too thick or under baked. We learned that the safest way is to ask if one of the brothers from St. Louis is there, and if so, ask that one of them make the pizza. BTW we keep encouraging them to open a location in the Austin area. It seems to me that if San Antonio can support them, Austin would be a gold mine. Montelongo