The newly opened Italian restaurant in St. Louis is delicious.

St. Louis’ New Italian Gem! Book a Table for Cozy Vibes—Crispy Calamari & Juicy Swordfish Steal the Show 🍴 St. Louis finally got an Italian restaurant that’s a total standout! We booked online in advance and only waited 5 minutes to be seated—no delay for our food cravings! As soon as we walked in, we were wrapped in warm, modern Italian vibes: light wooden tables with brass cutlery, simple Italian landscape prints on the walls, soft warm yellow lighting, and even gentle Italian folk music in the background. For a second, it felt like dining in a tiny Milan bistro 😌. Starters: Crispy Calamari Shines, Fried Potatoes Win with “Pure Potato Flavor” 🦑 Crispy Calamari with Smashed Tomato I didn’t expect much from starters, but this calamari blew me away! It was coated in a thin, crispy batter—crunchy outside, tender and juicy inside, with zero greasiness. The real star was the smashed tomato underneath: fresh tomatoes mashed into a chunky puree, sweet and tangy, perfectly cutting through the fried richness. Red pepper flakes added a hint of heat, but the pickled banana paper was the game-changer! It had a tangy, herbal taste with a chewy texture. Paired with the calamari and tomato, every bite felt new—I even scraped the last bit of tomato puree from the plate 🍅. 🥔 Fried Potatoes with Parmesan This simple fried potato dish was surprisingly satisfying! Cubed potatoes, golden and crispy on the outside (no burnt bits!), fluffy and creamy inside—pure “potato goodness” with no fancy seasonings, just a sprinkle of grated Parmesan for saltiness. It tasted like “a potato being a potato”—simple, comforting, like the fried potatoes my mom made as a kid. Great for light eaters or cutting through rich dishes, and perfect with cocktails～ Mains: Tender Swordfish & Shrimp Pasta You Can’t Stop Eating 🐟 Pan-Seared Swordfish The swordfish arrived still steaming, lightly browned on top—appetizing at first glance. Cut into it with a fork, and the meat was tender enough to pull apart easily, juicy with fresh ocean flavor. Only the edges were slightly overcooked, which didn’t ruin the dish. The pickled banana paper and unknown leafy greens on top were a “match made in heaven”: the greens added freshness, and the pickled paper’s tang and mild heat balanced the swordfish’s richness. Every bite was “just the right amount of savory”—even my friend who hates fish ate extra pieces 🐠. 🦐 Shrimp Tubular Pasta I couldn’t stop eating this pasta! The tubular pasta (thick, hollow, round) was cooked perfectly—chewy with a slight bounce, and the hollow center soaked up the sauce. The shrimp were huge (as big as my thumb!), plump and fresh—no frozen fishiness. The sauce was “tomato-forward but more than just tomato”: tangy from fresh tomatoes, boosted with seafood stock for umami, and a tiny hint of heat you could barely taste. Tossed with the pasta, every strand was coated in sauce—I even dipped the last bite in the leftover sauce 🍝. Drinks & Dessert: White Wine Beats Cocktails, Tiramisu Is Solid 🍸 Cocktails & White Wine We ordered two cocktails—they were stronger than expected, a bit harsh, and just “okay” (not my favorite). But the full bottle of white wine was a nice surprise! We’re total wine newbies (no clue about tannins or fruit notes), but it was crisp with light fruit flavor—no bitterness, no harshness. Perfect with the calamari and pasta—we finished most of the bottle without noticing 🥂. 🧁 Tiramisu For dessert, we went with classic tiramisu—a “safe, solid choice.” The mascarpone cream was creamy but not heavy, the coffee flavor wasn’t too strong, and the ladyfingers were soaked in coffee liqueur without being bitter. Shaved dark chocolate on top added crunch—every spoonful had “creamy + crispy” texture. Perfect for a post-meal sweet, not too cloying 🍫. Service & Price: Amazing Server + Great Value The server was so nice! From seating us to serving food, he smiled the whole time. He explained ingredients: “Our pickled banana paper is homemade—it’s great with seafood to cut grease!” When he saw we didn’t know wine, he recommended: “This white has low acidity, perfect with pasta.” He even helped split our food—small details that made the meal better 👍. The price (check the menu!) was great value: for two people, we had starters, mains, drinks, and dessert, and it wasn’t too expensive. With fresh ingredients and great service, it was totally worth it. If you’re in St. Louis craving authentic, non-lazy Italian food, this spot is worth booking! Whether it’s a date night or friends’ meal, you’ll leave happy and full～ 📍 Address: 545 W Port Plaza Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63146 #StLouis #StLouisFood #StLouisLife #ItalianCuisine #ItalianRestaurant #USA