
I love it when the cheese stretches from the pan and has to be urged to your plate with a little help from your fingers.
If you and your COVID-crazed friends can’t decide which kind of food they want to eat, you might consider Anthonino’s Taverna on The Hill. There’s seating on the street and well-spaced booths and tables indoors.
Decisions, Decisions
Anthonino’s is a place that has so much goodness packed into its Italian-Greek menu, it’s hard to make a choice. I’m always drawn to their award-winning dishes: the Toasted Ravioli with Marinara Sauce and the House Salad. The salad is something of a Italian-Greek mélange. That’s not surprising since the Scarato brothers, who own the place, are of Italian-Greek heritage.
After much indecision, Cyndy and I each ordered a House Salad and split a Veggie Pizza, that comes topped with broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, and Mozzarella. (Eating a veggie pizza makes you feel incredibly virtuous.)

Anthonino’s House Salad of romaine lettuce, red onion, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, feta and cucumber topped with a creamy Greek dressing
Baked in Goodness

Cyndy creates a cheese avalanche!
Cheesy, Crusty Goodness
I thought I was a thin-crust gal until I discovered Anthonino’s medium-crust. It’s divine and as good as any I’ve ever had—anywhere!
Pizza is served on an elevated rack, which makes for a whimsical presentation, as well as extra space on the table. It’s fun to hoist a slice from the tray and watch the cheese cling and swirl as you wag it onto your plate—or palate—leaving a trail of toppings behind.

Anthonino’s award-winning Toasted Ravioli with house-made sauce and Romano cheese. Cited as Best Toasted Ravioli for 7-straight years by the Riverfront Times.
Must Return—and Soon
There’s so many reasons to return to Anthonino’s. I’ve yet to explore the Greek side of the menu, for heaven’s sake!—the saganaki, spanakopita, gyro, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). But then, I’d have to pass up the pizza. So many goodies, so little space on my plate.

The Brothers Scarato have modernized without diminishing the rustic charm of the old tavern. In addition to the original bar, the hardwood floors, exposed brick, and pressed-tin ceiling are original.
A Visit by Guy Fieri of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”

Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visits Anthonino’s kitchen in 2012.
Back in 2012 Guy Fieri of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives told the world about Anthonino’s toasted ravioli, marinara sauces, stuffed grape leaves and tzatziki sauce.
Customers swarmed the place making it necessary to expand the dining area.
Since then more accolades have poured in: Best Pizza on The Hill; Best Toasted Ravioli from RFT for 5 years running; and Best Italian Restaurant in St. Louis from RFT.
Indeed, Anthonino’s deserves a place in pizza paradise.

The oversized menu and comfortable booths are an invitation to fine dining.
On to DiGregorio’s Italian Grocery

After lunch at Anthonino’s, I had a most enjoyable swirl through DiGregorio’s Italian Grocery. It’s a museum of cheeses, meats, and pastas. I loaded up on their pizza dough balls, sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, and Mozzarella for our long overdue cookout at the farm this weekend. As usual, I also got a few things I hadn’t intended to buy.