Porano — Restaurant in Des Peres

Porano has reopened as of the 29th, this time in the spot in Des Peres that used to be First Watch. I only got to go to the original once, but I really enjoyed nearly everything I purchased. Despite it being their second day the wait for two entrees and a side was very reasonable, perhaps ten minutes at most.

When you walk in there is a dividing line that tells online pickups to go to one spot and everyone else to walk up to a kiosk to place their order. You can also put in a phone number to receive a text when your to go order is ready. They currently have a good selection of local bottled drinks, including Ski. Beer and wine is coming later.

I ordered two bowls (one pesto pasta, one red sauce ferro), an order of arancini, and a focaccia with oil. Everything was fresh, but the arancini were oddly squashed, with two of them being almost entirely flat. But the taste was wonderful. If you ever went to Cini back in the day these were similar in flavor to their normal arancini. These were good enough I wish they would consider offering their risotto as a base for the bowls (seriously - if management ever reads this please think about this possibility). The pesto had a good flavor and is a solid type, without a puddle of oil at the bottom of the bowl. The red sauce was also good. The amount of ferro provided really surprised me as well. No issues with anything being over or undercooked either.

The only complaints I had beyond the squashed arancini was some of the pricing. The focaccia feels too small for what they are asking in comparison to everything else as do the meatballs, especially considering they have an upcharge. The meatballs weren't bad, but there were only three moderately sized ones in the bowl. The chicken that came on the other bowl coated the entire entree, so I would have expected five or six of this size instead of three. This might be a 'second day' issue or an incorrect portion size, but if this is normal then it's much less protein with an upcharge that isn't significantly better than other options.

Even though I had to put an order into a computer instead of talking to a person the three employees I talked to were all nice. The restaurant was spotless despite having a busy day. There are crayons for children and the kinds of extras you would expect an established restaurant, not on on its second day. The to go order came with forks, knives, napkins, red pepper and a parm blend packet for each item, including the arancini. Some music in the restaurant would have been nice, but again this may be a 'second day' problem.

So one star off for some inconsistencies and value questions, but I'll definitely be coming back here. I do wish the gelato was scoops placed in cups instead of three 'pops' but I get why they would go this route,...

I have had two experiences with Porano. A dine in lunch and a delivery recently.

Both were fabulous and I will definitely eat and drink my way through the excellent menu.

So far, I have enjoyed the Strozzapreti + Meatballs Bowl, Risotto Balls (2 times!). Detroit style pizzas I have enjoyed are the pepperoni as well as the meatball that someone recommended to request crispy, which was an excellent recommendation! Focaccia was also an excellent choice.

Using the Porano app was a pleasant experience when we ordered delivery.

The Vibe: Casual Elegance Meets Quick Customization Porano, the revived fast-casual Italian concept from the Niche Food Group, has found a bright and welcoming new home in Des Peres. Stepping inside, the atmosphere is refreshingly relaxed and airy, defined by bright white walls, light wood furniture, and whimsical art that pays homage to both Italian landmarks and St. Louis icons. It’s an easygoing space perfect for a family dinner, a casual lunch meeting, or a quick bite after shopping. Unlike traditional dining, the process is streamlined; guests order quickly at digital kiosks or the counter before grabbing a seat at one of the available spots. This layout clearly emphasizes quality, customizable food without the formality or wait time of a full-service restaurant.

The Menu: Italian Inspired, Built by You The core of Porano’s appeal is its commitment to fresh, in-house ingredients and its “Build Your Own” philosophy, allowing diners to create personalized grain bowls, pasta dishes, or salads. This level of customization ensures there’s something for everyone, whether you're looking for something light or seriously satisfying. A true standout is the Build Your Own Bowl. You can choose your base, pick a sauce, and top it with your favorites protein. Beyond the customizable bowls, Porano also shines with its other offerings. The Detroit-style Pizzas—known for their thick, crispy crusts and cheesy edges—are a must-try.

Final Verdict Porano successfully blends the authenticity of Italian flavors with the speed and convenience of fast-casual dining. The portions are generous, the ingredients are noticeably fresh, and the ability to customize your meal means you can always find a dish to suit your current craving. It’s a fantastic, reliable spot for locals looking for a quick and high-quality Italian meal that delivers on...

Only reason I gave four stars is because Chelsea was phenomenal, earning 3 stars for her place of employment. She educated us about the local fountain drinks, answered questions we had about places to go on the area, and before anything else, she asked us how our day was going and if she could help us find anything. Her customer service was above and beyond and even though she may have had to get other things done, she tended to us, as the customers, first, which was highly important and much appreciated.

We grabbed two pasta bowls with a beverage. The fountain drinks are a local company that taste similar to name brand products. Best option is to mix the drinks with the tea and light ice for more flavor. Otherwise, the $2 bottled water is a better option.

The pasta tasted a little rubbery, clearly having sat for awhile. I later learned they drop pasta every five minutes. If that was the case, after taking at least 7-8 minutes deciding what to order, the pasta should have been changed and it wasn't.

Then, the cooks poured fresh food, chicken and veggies to be exact right on top of the old and noticeably old food (veggies). A quick dumping and wiping of the dead broccoli pieces at the bottom of the bowl would have been a better solution and acceptable but that's just my opinion as a customer that witnessed this. Glad I didn't order the veggie bowl, but I definitely had a slight concern if whether or not our food would taste fresh. But since we already ordered our food, we figured why not find out. Going forward, Not a good look mixing old food with fresh.

Side note: I wondered if a staff meeting had just ended with all the random people standing around and walking behind the counter. Sanitary issues are always a concern when dealing with food.

Anyway, our cashier who also served us was great and very patience while we internally decided if we would eat there or not, which is why I gave the last (one) star.

Point of advice- get a tad extra sauce with the large bowl to avoid dry noodles and keep your back to everyone because the manager walks around looking at empty tables and tray holders way to often to even feel comfortable while you're eating.

Food at best was decent. Portion size was good. Quality was okay not fantastic. Customer service was amazing for the reasons outlined above and security is definitely on point...