Owner of Dominic’s Restaurant on The Hill, Dominic Galanti, poses for a photo with our ladies’ group after serenading us with a bit of opera. Mr. Galanti sees his diners as guests rather than customers.

Last week I joined my group of six friends, who dine together once a month. (We call ourselves Women Who Eat Out.) It was the first time we’d been together in more than a year. I was glad to see that all the gals had weathered the pandemic lockdown with grace and aplomb.

Dominic’s on the Hill

Let the fine dining begin! The restaurant has semi-private space for 18 and seats another 50 guests in the main dining room. 

Serenaded by the Owner

We chose Dominic’s for our first post-pandemic soiree. Since 1971, Dominic Galati’s charming restaurant has dominated The Hill, when it comes to fine dining and all-around ambiance.

Where else in town does the owner come to your table and warble a few bars of opera? Then follows it up with a spirited rendition of That’s Amore, that would make Dean Martin jealous.

Both performances earned Mr. Galanti applause from a dining room of customers enjoying his many Old World specialties.

Menu at Dominic’s. Our group went with Dominic’s Salad, Dover Sole Almondine, Veal Picatta, and Grilled Rainbow Trout with toasted almonds. The wow factor comes with every dish. 

 Papperdelle alla Bolognese. (While the dim lighting in the dining room made for a cozy setting, it did a number on my photos.)

Cannelloni alla Romana

A spoon of spumoni

The Hill Where Joe, Yogi, and T-Rav Came From

Italian Immigrant at St. Ambrose Church on The Hill

This is the neighborhood where Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra grew up. It’s said that toasted ravioli was born on The Hill, too, when the pasta accidentally fell into the deep fryer—maybe at Mama Campisi’s or, maybe, it was Charlie Gitto’s. Each place has its proponents.

Whichever, the unique bit of stuffed and deep fried ravioli has become a part of St. Louis culinary folklore.

In 1994, Conde Nast Traveler named Dominic’s on The Hill one of top Italian eateries in the United States. It’s hard to argue with Conde.

Dominics, 5101 Wilson Ave., Open: Tue-Sat 5-10p.