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Tue. 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Wed-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wed-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Sun. 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Lo Russo's is lovely! It's upscale without being pretentious. The food is traditional but not boring. Everything we had was delicious (except the dessert, a carrot cake which was obviously frozen).
The atmosphere, service, wine selection and food were all wonderful. The live, quiet piano added to the atmosphere... but it's still perfectly OK to go in jeans and a sweater.
Our favorite dish was the eggplant lasagna, which was made of large, flat, fried pieces of eggplant (perfectly cooked), layered with ricotta cheese,with mozzarella and sauce on top. It might just be the best eggplant dish I've ever had.
We loved it and will be back again (although we may skip dessert next time).
I am definitely going to frequent this place for occasions. The food is great and I had so much fun. The restaurant is cozy/elegant and it smells sooo good!
I had the flash fried spinach and the peppered fillet but everything on the menu looked wonderful. Prices are really good.
The staff is great and like-able.
Love it.
I'm from New Jersey - and love this place. I went to school at SIUE (right over the border into Illinois) and I have never been disappointed when I'm here - I'm always welcomed warmly, and every time I'm in the area, I make an appoint to see my family member Rich :)
P.S, anything you order off the menu...you will NOT be upset with :)
I can think of a hundred words to describe my experience last night, but I think the best is just "delectable."
My extended family went out for a meal here last night and I had fairly high expectations. After reading a few yelp reviews about it being a great find, I was excited. I also looked at the menu ahead of time (as I often do) and noticed a dish called "Butternut Ravioli." There was also a note that said menu was subject to change. I was hoping this menu item did not.
Sure enough, when we got there, I saw it staring at me from the menu! Score!
The beginning of the night began with an assortment of breads which were tasty. Some white house-made white bread, focaccia, and some crackers with seeds/spices.
We had the bruschetta and calamari to start and I didn't try the latter. The bruschetta was fine, but I wasn't as impressed with it as I expected. They served it with pesto and some shredded parmigiana cheese and it was tasty, but I've had better. Everyone said the calamari was really good. I'll take their word for that.
Then came the meal. Butternut squash ravioli surrounded by dried cherries in amaretto sauce with grilled veggies. Perfection. The subtle, sweet flavor of the pasta was enhanced with the tart cherries and the grilled veggies were a tasty side. As a warning: It's a very rich, sweet dish, so if anyone's looking for something more savory, I'd keep an eye out for something else.
Of course we splurged on dessert so 7 of us passed around the Tiramisu and it was very good. I don't like mine as soaked in espresso flavor as it was, but everyone else didn't seem to mind. I like my tiramisu a little fluffier and lighter, but it's always different wherever you go. It also tasted like there might be some Kahlua or Baileys in it, so that was a nice touch.
The service was great and everything was prompt and fast.
I will absolutely be back and I'd better see that butternut ravioli still on the menu! :-)
One of my favorite places for fine dining Italian cuisine on the Hill. Actually is it technically on The Hill? It's close enough anyway.
Everything I have ever ordered from this place has been top notch. The small touches the chef gives to what might seem like run-of-the-mill dishes on the menu, elevate this place to a 5 star rating in my book.
Overall, I think this place is vastly under-rated and overlooked. The chef's attention to the small details is what makes this place a hidden gem to me.
Mixed feelings about this place, but I'll write about my last visit (actually carry-out). We called in an order of 2 salads, tortellini, lasagna. The bread that came with our order was not the freshest. The salads were fine, although nothing special - I personally like my salad fairly plain, so that works out in my favor. The tortellini was delicious - there were plenty of them to share b/n 2 ppl. The lasagna however, turned out to be an eggplant lasagna - maybe that's the only lasagna on their menu, but I was surprised to find no meat in it at all. The lasagna itself was really a large pile of sauce and cheese with a slice of eggplant.
I would say that I would actually go back only bc my previous experiences have been better, but now I know to stay away from the eggplant lasagna.
Was visiting St Louis and we were there as a big group. I don't frequent Italian Restaurants but we decided to go here as its middle of the road cuisine for everyone in the group.
The food was good. I had the "Fish Special" of the day and it was very good. I wish if I remembered what was all in it but the Wild Rice side blended very with the Salmon which tasted delicious. Everyone in the group seemed happy with what they ordered. The portions are perfectly sized and prepared with fair amount of attention to detail.
Can't forget our server. He was friendly and helpful.
This place is hands down my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. After moving to New York, I've found a lot of great Italian restaurants in the city. My standards for Italian food went up after living in an area that is known as one of the top-gourmet cities in the world. Still, LoRusso's is still one of my favorite Italian restaurants. I've made a visit to St. Louis recently and found out that this place is still great as I remember. God, the food here is always off the hook! The salad (Della Casa) is one of the best I've ever had, and all the pasta dishes are never disappointing. Great selection of desserts as well. The best part is, the prices are really sincere (A dinner like LoRusso's in NY will easily cost double of what you will pay here.) This will be the place I will always miss in St. Louis. Thank you for the great memories!!
LoRusso's is not your typical Italian restaurant on "the Hill". And that's a good thing. Not to point fingers, but some of the institutions up that way seem to rest on their laurels. Rich LoRusso has personally seen to it that his restaurant stays ahead of the pack of Italian fare in St. Louis.
Every time I have dined there, we got a personal tableside visit from Rich to check that everything exceeded our expectations, including the graduation dinner we had where he requested a picture of the entire family for his monthly newsletter. And each time, our expectations were exceeded. Unfortunately, it has been several years since I have been to LoRusso's, so details on menu items are fuzzy. But I can say with all certainty that everything I ever ate there was fantastic, and it is my #1 recommendation for Italian dining in St. Louis.
Elegant yet unpretentious. Service and food that should cost twice the price.
Oh lets see where to start. The "Pasta Bowl 2000" which is a Penne con Vodka with homeade italian sausage is wonderful. The stuffed fillet is one of the best thing I've ever eaten in Saint Louis. It is...well...a great place. Tony LoRusso is very friendly man which is always an added bonus. If you like italian food and you are tired of the more stanard Saint Louis staples-- I would really recommend it.
Lorussos is a hidden gem on the hill. It doesn't get the attention of other better known restaurants, but preparation, execution and presentation are all first class. This place is about quality, not quantity. Don't expect mammoth portions slathered in sauce. We have been dining there more than 4 years and have yet to be disappointed. That in itself is a feat as most places eventually have an off night. Rich and Terry are wonderful hosts and usually both are very visible. The menu is moderately extensive and adding the yearly pasta bowl challenge winner helps keep it fresh, along with nightly specials. The wine list has something for everyone and is very extensive considering the price point of the restaurant. (Rich likes wine!). We live 20 - 25 minutes away and pass many other options to get there. This place is a winner and will continue to receive our business.
This restaurant was recommended by the manager at our Downtown St. Louis hotel. He called ahead for us, but that wasn't necessary for our dinner at 6:30 on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant wasn't more than a third full at the time, which gave our servers plenty of time to give us personal attention. (It was nearly full when we left 90 minutes later, though.) Our server was very helpful in assisting us with our entree choices, and he didn't steer us wrong. The food was absolutely fabulous, and would have been a great supper even at twice the price. Honestly, with as beautiful a restaurant as Lorusso's is, and the service so gracious - you'd expect it to cost twice as much. Oh, in case you're feeling adventurous - Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a doable walk/hike from the restaurant, just be sure you've got comfy shoes. (Our busser gave us good info about this other St. Louis institution - what to order and not to be intimidated by the line.) A fabulous way to spend an early summer evening in St. Louis!
Neighborhood: Lindenwood Park
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: University City
Category: American (Traditional)
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