St. Louis Italian Restaurant | Pastaria 🍝

Today was my first time trying this Italian spot in Clayton—I’d seen it pop up on my feed a few times but never had the chance to visit. Luckily, I passed by today and decided to stop in. It was a weekday evening, so it wasn’t crowded. When I arrived, the sun hadn’t set yet, and many people were sitting outside, while the indoor space was nice and quiet. Soft sunlight filtered in, warming the room, which had a cozy warm yellow tone overall—super comfortable and inviting. 🥗 Appetizer: Forest Mushroom Panzanella I love mushrooms, so I went straight for this dish—only to realize it’s a salad when it arrived! But it was a pleasant surprise, way better than I expected. Cool arugula paired with hot, sautéed mushrooms 🍄, tossed in a sweet-tart dressing, plus the crunch of breadcrumbs and the softness of cherry tomatoes. Every bite had vibrant layers of flavor. The sautéed mushrooms were rich and aromatic, though they were a bit salty on their own—but when mixed with the other ingredients, the seasoning balanced out perfectly. 🍝 Mains: Garganelli & Toasted Semolina Linguine We ordered two mains—beef rigatoni (Garganelli) and seafood linguine (Toasted Semolina Linguine)—and both were absolutely delicious! Garganelli: The beef was braised until fork-tender, falling apart easily. Orange zest and olives added a bright, zesty kick that lifted the dish, and the pasta was al dente—chewy, flavorful, and perfectly coated in the sauce. Toasted Semolina Linguine: This seafood pasta had a subtle spice, with rich cheese flavor mixed with a hint of lemon freshness. The pasta was also al dente, and the plump, bouncy shrimp added a lovely briny sweetness that made the whole dish even more savory. Overall, this restaurant is fantastic—great food at a reasonable price, with an average cost of around $50 per person. None of the dishes we ordered missed the mark; in fact, they all suited my taste perfectly. If you love Italian food, this is a must-try! 🍝 Pastaria📍 7734 Forsyth Blvd Suite 1, Clayton, MO 63105 #ItalianCuisine #RestaurantRecommendation #StLouisLife #StLouisTravel #StLouisRestaurantHunt #StLouisFood #StLouisRestaurants #StLouisStudyAbroad #StLouisItalianFood #WashU