In St. Louis, the name “Del Pietro” is synonymous with Italian food. The family has been operating Italian restaurants in the area since the 1970s. Now, owner Michael Del Pietro is taking the family business in a new direction, with plans to open a not-yet-named all-day Italian eatery in University City.
This new eatery will be a departure from the rest of Del Pietro’s restaurants. It will focus more on modern Italian cuisine rather than Italian-American classics. The restaurant will be open all day, with biscotti, pastries and coffee in the morning; pizza by the slice and sandwiches for lunch; and shareable plates and pasta in the evenings. “It’ll be a blend of modern and Old World. Everything will be dripping Italian,” Del Pietro says.
The pizza will have a Roman-style, focaccia-like pizza dough with rotating toppings. “Think an olive oil base with whipped ricotta cheese, caramelized onions, sausage and fresh oregano,” Del Pietro explains. The pasta menu will focus heavily on seasonality, making use of fresh, local ingredients. On the drinks side, guests should expect Italian wine and classic Italian cocktails, including various spritzes.
Del Pietro was drawn to the space at the intersection of Delmar and Hanley, in part because of the current financial realities of the restaurant business. He was able to purchase the land, as opposed to renting the space as he does with other restaurants. “Rents keep going up. The math wasn’t working for us small restaurant guys,” he says. He’s looking forward to building something special without the unpredictable financial stress that can come with renting. The space, which includes a four-season patio, will seat around 160 guests. “We’ll bring a modern look that’s airy and light, with hints of older and reclaimed woods,” Del Pietro says. “There’s so much charm and character.”…