Pastaria

From acclaimed chef Gerard Craft, Pastaria brings a concept to Clayton self described as “sorta close to Italy.” The motto translates directly into Craft and his steadfast staff’s commitment to freshly crafted pizza and pasta inspired directly by trips to Italy and prepared with the brand’s specialized twist. Each handcrafted noodle begins with organic semolina in its base and is formulated with the end product in mind. A dense strozzapreti, for instance, pairs perfectly with the house’s hearty Bolognese, while a delicate pistachio ravioli does well with a simple sauce of lemon and brown butter.

The unconventional pastas, pizzas, and desserts at this trendy Clayton restaurant are inspired by chef Gerard Craft’s travels in Italy and the friendships he’s made over food and wine. There are gems in every section of the menu: the shaved kale salad; the canestri cacio e pepe pasta; the four-cheese pizza; the butternut squash with herbs, balsamic vinegar, and hot honey; and the wedding cake. While walk-ins are welcome when space permits, your best bet for spontaneous dining is to join the online waitlist or pick up a to-go order at the deli.

If you like to keep an eye on your pizzas in this oven, this contemporary trattoria in Clayton is made for you. Pastaria has an open kitchen where you can peek at pizzas baking while chowing down on your 'za. Within the four walls of Pastaria, Chef Craft has created a no-fuss dining space that draws on true Italian recipes and serves up some of the best wood-fired pies in town.

Acclaimed chef Gerard Craft turns his attention to Italian cuisine at Pastaria(7734 Forsyth Boulevard, Clayton; 314-862-6603), a large, bustling restaurant in downtown Clayton. The cuisine is simple and outrageously good. Pasta, made in-house, stars in dishes both simple (the sublime chitarra aglio e olio) and sexy and sophisticated (the luscious pistachio ravioli).

It’s been 12 years since Niche Food Group opened Pastaria, but Gerard Craft’s restaurant is still an essential stop for anyone seeking out the best Italian food in the city. Watch fresh pasta being made by hand, and taste the difference in dishes like papardelle with smoked pork ragu and bucatini all’Amatriciana. The wood-fired pizza and gelato are also outstanding.

Meet Carlos Cellentani, Felisa Farfalle, Romana Rigati and Tino Tortellini. These characters illustrate the kid’s menu at Pastaria, helping them learn about different types of pasta as they order. The family-oriented Italian restaurant in Clayton comes from James Beard Award-winning chef Gerard Craft, who makes every diner feel special.

The black-and-white photos hanging on the wall are indistinguishable from those taken in an upscale Rome pizzeria; it’s that authentic. The space is sleek, cool, and crowded, with wonderful traditional pizza from a wood-fired oven. The bottom scorch is splendid, just enough to lend that toasty flavor, and the crunch is exquisite.

Moving on to another local food empire, this one being from the Gerard Craft family of restaurants, is Pastaria. This place is mostly known for its pasta and small plates, but the pizza here is something spectacular. The crust is seriously on point and the flavors really work well together.

Pastaria is a classic date spot for fantastic homemade pizza and pasta. In 2016, Ashley Shelton of Pastaria took the top prize in Eater’s Young Guns competition. Also, chef and owner Gerard Craft was the first chef to win the James Beard Best Chef: Midwest award in 2015.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (458 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, Saint Louis, MO 63105-1810- Read more on Tripadvisor

– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (454 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: Italian, Pizza– Price: $$ – $$$– Address: 7734 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, Saint Louis, MO 63105-1810– Read more on Tripadvisor

Another of the top places for a birthday dinner near St. Louis, Pastaria in Clayton offers approachable Italian fare in a casual yet stylish setting. The fresh, handmade pasta is the highlight of the menu but you’ll be impressed no matter what you order.

The restaurant offers a dinner, lunch, kid, dessert and brunch menu!. From pasta and pizza to doughnuts and mimosa’s – this place has a lot to offer. Pastaria's pistachio ravioli was named in Food Network’s list of ‘Best Pastas in the country.’

As a more casual alternative to Cielo, Pastaria offers pasta and pizza galore. You’ll never run out of options. My best friend is obsessed with their caprese salad, which includes heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

At Pastaria, acclaimed chef Craft learned to meet diners where they are (often with kids in tow) and only then dazzle them with his wood-fired pizzas and big plates of bucatini, tagliatelle and pappardelle.