The seventh eating place under Michael Del Pietro’s MDP Restaurants institution, Il Plato joins such popular eateries as Del Pietro’s, Sugo’s Spaghetteria and Tavolo V, but features decidedly lighter fare than its siblings, with a focus on southern Italian cuisine reflecting Mediterranean and northerly Italian impacts.
“We desired to awareness on extra southern Mediterranean styles and sort of stray from our traditional brick lasagnas and heavy creams here,” says companion Ryan French. “Michael started out in Clayton many years ago, and we wanted to come back returned however no longer utilize the identical thoughts as our different restaurants – and we’re looking to have a piece extra amusing with our from-scratch kitchen.”
Executive chef Tim Adams works with cordon bleu Jordan Knight and roving supervisor Pat Baltes to bring the seasonally driven menu to Clayton. Adams’ culinary résumé includes operating in kitchens at such area eating places as Pastaria, Cielo and his family’s Ricardo’s Italian Cafe. He additionally formerly studied at Italy’s ALMA La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana.
“This is right in my outdoor,” Adams says. “The simplicity of this delicacies is something I just, in reality, fell in love with.”
Filling the distance previously occupied via Remy’s Kitchen & Wine Bar, Il Palato seats ninety-eight. Scott Volding served as the architect, at the same time as Karen Pepper of Edwin Pepper & Associates served as the clothier. The easy, cutting-edge interior functions mixed media, which include timber, iron, and marble juxtaposed with textures including tweed and leather. A coffered, gridlike underneath-lit ceiling sets the tone inside the eating room for meals intended for a pleasing evening out.
“It’s no longer inflexible or formal, but elegant,” French says. “We want this to be your experience for the night in numerous publications that you could take some time with.”
From the menu, guests can select from highlights which include considered one of Adams’ favorites, tonno, or oil-poached tuna with aioli, capers, lemon, and Dijon. As every other mainstay, entire roasted and filleted branzino includes olives, onion, tomato, egg, and pickled shallot French dressing. It additionally excites Adams to offer zeppole, or Italian-style ricotta donuts dipped in chocolate and covered in hazelnuts.
Il Palato could make a stellar place to deal with your self to an intimate, multicourse meal earlier than seeing Rigoletto from Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.
Popular nearby bartender Sasha Alms heads the bar program. The beverage listing features 15 wines via the glass and 50 or extra via the bottle, 4 beer options, and craft cocktails. Most people’s idea of Italian cuisine is a combination of tortellini, minestrone, spaghetti, and lasagna. If you visit Italy with such a narrow view of Italian cuisine, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of food that the Italians eat.
The reason for this variety is simple. Italy has nineteen regions, each with its distinct cuisine. In addition, Italian cuisine changes according to the seasons. Fresh ingredients are of utmost importance in an Italian kitchen. As a result, you will discover that summer cuisine is different from winter cuisine.
North Italian Cuisine
Usually, Americans are familiar with the part of Italian cuisine that is typical of north Italy. All the heavy dishes loaded with cheese and the rich sauce comes from this reason. You will enjoy a stay in north Italy if you enjoy the Italian food available in America.
Although you will be familiar with north Italian cuisine, you will still be surprised by the wonderful differences in authentic north Italian food and the Italian fare available in America.
Il Palato is serving up southern Italian cuisine in Clayton
