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Central Newsmagazine is Central St. Louis County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Dining Spotlight |
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For Real Italian, Make It Zia’s On The HillBy Sheila Frayne Rhoades
 Zia’s On The Hill is the quintessential Italian family restaurant. For starters, it is named for two great cooks – the aunts of brothers Dennis and Angelo Chiodini, who started the restaurant almost 24 years ago. (“Zia” is Italian for “aunt.”)
Everything about the Zia’s dining experience is as warm and comfortable as having a great meal at the home of a good friend. Delicious aromas of tomato sauce and garlic greet diners as they enter, and the back walls are hung with photos of great-grandparents and Hill residents dating back to 1936. Not surprisingly, it has become a favorite spot for devoted locals and visitors alike. The restaurant serves classic Italian gourmet cuisine at affordable prices. Imported Italian wines, unique appetizers and daily specials made to order all offer the true taste of Italy. “We have diverse dinner and lunch menus featuring classic Italian dishes and sandwiches as well as some of our own delectable creations,” present owner Dennis Chiodini said. “With our large portions served with a side dish (choice of three pastas) and salad, there’s always a bit to take home.” There are ample choices on Zia’s menu, but Chiodini mentioned a few favorites. “Perhaps our biggest selling appetizer is our fried calamari – Calamari Fritti. It’s very popular. We actually serve 250 pounds every week,” he said. “Our No. 1 selling main dish is Chicken Spiedini Proscuitto.” A favorite pasta is the Tutto Mare, a concoction of linguine in a rich garlic cream sauce with shrimp, sea legs, clams and mushrooms. “We also serve daily specials, including our great Tortellini Carbonara,” Chiodini added. Zia’s sandwiches, or “imbottio,” include meatball, chicken breast, fried cod (Wednesdays and Fridays only), and charbroiled strip sirloin steak on garlic cheese bread. Daily dessert specials, like the always-delightful house specialty Tiramisu, round out a fine meal. Lattes or Cappuccinos with Sambuca or Frangelico are perfect finales. Zia’s caters, too, offering a variety of menu combinations for office parties, weddings and private in-house events. Zia’s boasts a superb selection of quality Italian wines. “We are different in that we pair wines with our food. There is always a suggested wine listed with each dish on the menu,” Chiodini said. Specialty drinks, like the Sicilian Kiss (pina colada with Amaretto) and Bocce Ball (Amaretto and orange juice) reflect the flavors of The Hill neighborhood. Zia’s name is familiar in many St. Louis stores too, where Zia’s bottled salad dressings, specialty oils and sauces are sold. This time of year, it is possible to walk in Monday through Friday with no waiting, Chiodini said. But busy or not, Zia’s On The Hill is well worth the wait.
Zia’s On The Hill 5256 Wilson Avenue – St. Louis (314) 776-0020
Opens at 11 a.m. Monday – Saturday; closing time varies by season Dinner served from 3 p.m. Monday – Friday and from 4 p.m. on Saturday Reservations accepted for parties of six or more Call ahead at least 45 minutes for large group seating
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