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Dining Divas: Anthonino’s Taverna on The Hill
Over the river and through the woods. That’s what it felt like when the Dining Divas tried to get to our Diva dinner this month. It felt like we had to go over the river and through the woods to find the restaurant. But, as usual, the trek is worth it to hang out with good friends while enjoying good food.
We chose Anthonino’s Taverna on The Hill, and you wouldn’t think getting to The Hill would be such a hassle, but it was for us, even for this Diva who is a mere five miles from the restaurant. My easy jaunt cutting through the back streets wasn’t so easy as I lost track of where I was going (yes, I was talking on the phone), and then I got stuck at a railroad crossing, waiting for a train traveling only about 3mph.
The Colorful Diva chose to ignore my recommended directions only to get caught in the ever-present downtown traffic during rush hour. The Italian Diva sat in her car for over an hour and 15 minutes. Getting from West County to The Hill country without HWY 40 isn’t so much fun. The Greek Diva, coming from the furthest distance away, and the Newlywed Diva, who listened to my recommended “cut-through”, seemed to make the trip smoothly.
Arriving at Anthonino’s, I definitely wasn’t looking for a tavern, but that’s exactly what Anthonino’s is. A tavern. But not the smoky—screen door—everyone looks at you like “who are you” and “why are you here at our bar”—kind of tavern. All of the barstools were filled, and eventually, all the tables, too.
A diverse clientele dined and drank this evening. The random couple at the booth that looked like they had either stopped talking to each other years prior or were on a first date. The two business guys downing a pizza on their way to the Blues game. Dad taking out the kids for the evening. The group of twentysomethings (perhaps future “Divas”) going through bottles of wine. Regulars or not, everyone was welcome.
Aside from being a reader’s choice favorite in 2007, we wanted to try out this restaurant for its Italian/Greek menu. We loved the mini-toasted ravioli appetizer. The gyros were piled high with meat and definitely required a fork and knife. The Newlywed Diva recommends the chicken kabobs. They were perfectly cooked and nicely flavored. But skip the pork kabobs. They were dry and bland.
The orzo pasta and the sautéed vegetables that came with the kabobs were the highlight of the meal for her. She had never tasted better sautéed vegetables in a restaurant than she had at Anthonino’s.
While everyone else went for the Greek side of the menu, this Diva stuck with Italian. The Italian sausage pasta was definitely worthy of The Hill status, and the leftovers tasted even better the next day.
Look for the light bulb bouquet fixtures hanging from the ceilings. They are quite unique. Look for the “fluffy crust” pizzas. We’re convinced we have to go back and give it a try. But don’t look for Anheuser-Busch products on draft. They only offer AB’s American Ale (you can get AB bottles).
The Italian/Greek combination of Anthonino’s Taverna works for this place, and even more impressive, it works in this solely Italian neighborhood. If only we didn’t have to go over the river and through the ‘hood to get there now.
