Charlie Gitto's On the Hill — Restaurant in St. Louis

To start with there are some serious issues with the way that this place runs. The general manager's name is BRIAN and he is a snarky individual. So let's start, last night I placed an order over the phone with them while looking at their menu through Google. They told me that my total was going to be $85 for four items?! Lobster ravioli, cheese garlic bread, lobster bisque, and the shrimp appetizer. So this is a to-go order. Upon walking in the gentleman behind the front desk ask me if I needed anything and I said I had to go order. He's in asked me if I liked some water, to which I replied yes. He did not give me the water. Found that a bit rude honestly to ask me if I need something and then to not give it to me. Upon getting in the vehicle and driving away with my food I noticed that there was a few things wrong. I had not been given a receipt to be able to see how much each of the items that I had bought was, being that I had a bit of an issue with the entirety of the total. As I tried to start eating I realized I was not giving any silverware of any sort. I had bought both a soup and pasta and was not given either a fork or a spoon. When I tried to start eating my ravioli with a fork I happen to have in my vehicle. The ravioli was not done. So at this point I'm frustrated and I'm going to call the business. I call and I asked to talk to the manager who I then found out was Brian the man who is standing in front of me the entire time. The man who offered me the water and did not give it to me.

Now let's start with some more issues. When I originally brought up the fact that I was not given the water while in there he thought that I did not even reply to him. So he assumed that I just ignored him or did not hear him. When I confronted him about why he did not give me the water he said it was because it was 'too loud in there and didn't hear me'...okay? So if that's the case why did you not ask me that question? Next problem, when I made the statement that I did not have any silverware in the bag he proceeded to scoff! That was the first problem then he said 'it is not the company policy to provide to go orders with silverware.' Now mind you they did not ask me if I needed silverware or anything to go with my to-go order! To go order! Which means that I do not have my home or a kitchen with me at that time. When I made the statement that he should have asked me, he said we do not assume that people just need it and we don't give it to them. I said you don't give people with to-go orders silverware? He said no they need to ask for it. So apparently you need to ask for silverware with a to-go order. That is common sense. Now mind you I have not even gotten to the fact that my food was not cooked properly the man has now laughed at me and tried to deflect any accountability for the fact that he said they don't assume anything when it comes to stuff. But then told me you just previously that he assumed he that I did not hear him when he asked me for the water. So he assumed that I did not hear him and just accepted that. He supposed to be the general manager. Then when I finally brought to the fact that I was upset about my food and this and that, & that I'd be writing a review about this, He said 'you can go ahead and write that review and I'll show it to the owner and then he can deal with it'. Oh really sir. So yes, please show this to the owner and let it be known that I did not get a receipt for my $85 worth of food for four items, so I have no idea what I truly paid for what. one of which was the shrimp which was $21 and had 3 shrimp in it!! He laughed at me before I even got my actual issue out. He never apologized once for my order being ill prepared or not to quality standard. In fact, he didn't even get to asking me what my issue was. This is absolutely one of the worst places that I have gotten food from in St Louis as of recently. I've had lower places be of higher quality when it comes do fixing what they did wrong, then this place is supposed to have 4.7 stars. That's a joke! Show the...

I am from out of state, and I always look forward to eating at Charlie Gitto’s On The Hill when I am in STL. I have probably eaten there at least ten times in the past 15 years. When I ate there about a year ago, I remember commenting that it was not as good as it used to be, and my experience there last night did not anywhere near live up to the enjoyment that I have had in my earlier visits. Our reservation was for 8 PM, and we probably showed up about five minutes early. We were shown to a table, and our waitress came and asked about our preference for water. I ordered San Pellegrino, and she asked if we wanted glasses with ice. I said no. Almost 15 minutes later she comes back with two bottles of San Pellegrino but no glasses. I specified then that we did want glasses, just not with ice. We ordered a bottle of white wine, and when she brought that to the table, we ordered calamari for an appetizer, and said that we would like to take our meal one step at a time. She informed us that the kitchen closed at nine, but they like to have all the orders in by 8:45. By this time it was already 8:20. After she left, we realized that the white wine was barely chilled at all, almost warm. If I had been there alone, I probably would not have said anything about the temperature of the wine, because I do not like to cause conflict. My dining companion brought it to the waitress’ attention, and she sent over the maitre d’. He took away the the bottle and our glasses of almost warm wine and brought us a new, much cooler bottle. By this time, the calamari had arrived at our table. Their citrus aïoli was delicious as usual, but the calamari and the other fried bits that came with it were disappointing. The calamari itself was big tough strips of something, and the other components, like green beans that still had stems and chunks of raw onion, were not overly appetizing. And the breading was falling off of most of it. In my earlier visits, the calamari was a delicious pile of delicately fried rings and tentacles of squid. We then ordered a pasta Fiore Borghese to split and a Veal Marsala. The waitress said she would hold off on putting in the order for the Veal Marsala as long as possible. After a couple of minutes, the pasta showed up, and it was quite tasty. About five minutes after the pasta arrived to the table, while we were still eating it, the veal marsala arrived. The person who dropped off the plate warned us that the plate was hot, which it was, but then as we ate the veal, we realized it was barely warm. It was also floury, like it had been sautéed in a pan that was not hot enough, and the sauce had no hint of marsala but tasted like just a veal demi glace with a few mushroom slices. Alongside the three pieces of cutlet and the sauce, was one stalk of broccolini that was still raw, one strip of carrot, a chunk of mushy tomato, and a piece of roasted onion. For $39, the plate was disappointing. We finished the meal with a glass of port and a tiramisu, which were fine. When we got the bill, there had been no discount or adjustment for the warm wine. When we were finally leaving about 9:20, as we walked through the main dining room, we noticed that there were two or three tables of guests still early on in eating their main courses, which had to have been sent out from the kitchen after the 9pm deadline, and much later than our mediocre veal marsala. Overall, it seems that the restaurant is getting a bit sloppy both in service and in food, resting on its fine reputation from years past. Hopefully it will not...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Exquisite Culinary Journey at Charlie Gitto's Italian Restaurant! 🍝🕯️

Prepare to be swept away to a world of culinary enchantment at Charlie Gitto's Italian Restaurant, located at 5226 Shaw Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110. This exceptional dining experience deserves nothing less than a 5/5-star rating—a resounding "Amazing" that goes beyond the ordinary "Great."

🍷 Decor: Elegance Embodied, Romance Redefined 💑🏰

The moment you step into Charlie Gitto's, you're transported to a realm of refined beauty. 🌟🕯️ The dimly lit ambiance casts an intimate and romantic spell, setting the stage for unforgettable moments. Every detail, from the décor to the dinnerware, exudes sophistication and class. The sight of well-dressed diners, with suits and dresses, creates an air of timeless elegance. It's a place where every table feels like a private sanctuary, offering an intimate setting for cherished conversations. The traditional bar, adorned with magnificent chandeliers, adds to the old-school charm that's truly captivating. 🍽️🕯️

👏 Service: Tim and Joe, Masters of Hospitality 👥🌟

The service at Charlie Gitto's is nothing short of extraordinary, with Tim as the shining star. 🌟🤵 His impeccable service was a delightful blend of professionalism and warmth. Tim seemed to possess a sixth sense, knowing precisely when to attend to your needs and when to let you savor the moment. His humor added a delightful touch to the evening, making your time there even more memorable.

And let's not forget Joe, the manager, whose Harvard handshake set the tone for a welcoming experience. 🤝💐 The thoughtful gesture of placing your friend's flowers at the table was a charming touch, even if a little plastic was left on. 😉🌷

🍝 Food: A Culinary Symphony of Excellence 🎵🍷

When you hear of a restaurant that tops the "best of Saint Louis" lists, there's always a hint of skepticism. But at Charlie Gitto's, the hype meets its match in the food. It's not just a restaurant; it's a culinary masterpiece. 🍝🍷

I had the pleasure of savoring the Rigatoni with Sausage, a symphony of spicy, crumbled house-recipe sausage in a sweet tomato basil sauce. My girlfriend opted for the Marsala Chicken, a beautifully breaded boneless breast prepared in a sweet Marsala wine sauce with fresh mushrooms. We started our journey with Brussels sprouts as an appetizer, and every bite was a revelation.

🥂 A Timeless Excellence 🏆🍽️

In the world of dining, where new and trendy places often steal the spotlight, Charlie Gitto's remains a steadfast beacon of excellence. It stands as a testament to history, reputation, and sheer culinary brilliance. No matter how many new restaurants grace Saint Louis, Charlie Gitto's continues to reign supreme.

So, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking an unparalleled dining experience, Charlie Gitto's Italian Restaurant is your destination. 🍝🥂

I hope this review captures the essence of your unforgettable evening at Charlie Gitto's. If you have more reviews to create or any other inquiries, don't hesitate to...