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DINING DIVAS: Visiting the Hill!
Divas Find There’s More Than
Just Italian on the Hill!
By Lisa Kampeter
It was a breezy fall evening when the Dining Divas last met up. And this time, we were especially excited to head to the historic neighborhood of the Hill for some good food. Typically, you think Italian when you think of the Hill. But with this restaurant, you think meat!
We dined at Carnivore STL, an American AND Italian restaurant that specializes in steaks. It’s especially nice when a restaurant has a parking lot, and even though it wasn’t big, it’s appreciated. And fortunately, there was street parking available too this night.
We also appreciated that the space of the restaurant itself was nice and big and that we could actually hear each other talk. You would have thought we hadn’t eaten for days when we got there. Everyone hadn’t even arrived, yet we still started ordering appetizers… It seemed like every appetizer on the menu. When Arancini is a choice, the Picky Diva orders it, and Carnivore’s was really good. Plus, the Spicy Cheese Balls, Toasted Ravioli, and Bruschetta!
Before dinner, we caught up with the Educator Diva whose class this year is tough for her. We were glad to see her as she hasn’t been able to join us often lately. We talked about an upcoming trip to Gulf Shores for the Traveling Diva and secretly spoke about a “special” birthday upcoming for another Diva.
And at a very somber time for me, the Divas were extremely comforting as I shared the details of a recent surgery I underwent, as well as the passing of my dad. And that got us talking about “signs” from our loved ones who have died.
The Italian Divas shared the story of how their sibling had recently traveled to New York City. While in a cab, she was telling some people with her about going to New York as a young child with her now-deceased father. As she spoke to them about him, she noticed the license plates on a car next to them. It said “Santo.” That was her dad’s middle name. I’m hopeful for signs too!
Even though we’d eaten so many appetizers and bread, we still ordered dinner but did take most of it home. The Chicken Limon and a Caesar salad was excellent. The Sirloin Steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned well. The Chicken Risotto was better the second day according to the Picky Diva, and the Ginger Diva couldn’t tell if her risotto was better the next day as her husband got to it before she did. The Chicken Parmesan and asparagus was another good choice. And the portions were generous.
If you’re looking for a good burger, try the Carnivore burger. Delish! Our very attentive waitress happily delivered us all plates for a delicious birthday cake from Helfer’s courtesy of the Divas. So, I’m not sure what Carnivore had to offer for dessert because we couldn’t pass up a piece of cake from Helfer’s.
To finish off the wonderful night of reconnecting, sharing, and laughing, a few of the Divas headed down the street to check out Piazza Imo’s. If you haven’t done that yet, you should. The beautiful fountain, statues, grotto, and gardens give St. Louisans another reason to head to the Hill, as if we needed another reason. It’s always a good time.
