In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef’s story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a new series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow visits J. Devoti Trattoria located on The Hill, St. Louis’ historic Italian neighborhood.

I have never been to an Italian restaurant that didn’t offer free bread to snack on while looking over the menus; at least, until I came to Sardella. Located just a short drive or a half-hour walk from campus in the middle of Clayton, Sardella is an amalgamation of culture and tradition: The restaurant prides itself on blending flavors from the old and the new, from Italy and from right here in St. Louis.

Located on the Delmar Loop just past the well-known Pi Pizzeria, Tavolo V is a casual Italian restaurant with a varied menu and friendly service. It is the ideal restaurant for those nights out when you are seeking pasta or pizza and don’t feel like driving to the Pastaria or the Hill.

Eleven Eleven Mississippi is located in a many-leveled brick and iron building that looks like a revitalized warehouse. And on a Saturday night, it was completely full of people. The menu includes striking combinations like pecorino flan, potato-encrusted halibut and butternut squash and pear cavatelli.

It’s 1 p.m. on a Wednesday, and Mangia Mobile is perched majestically on Scott Avenue in the Central West End, right underneath an overpass that bridges two buildings of the Washington University School of Medicine. It’s a bit late for the lunch rush—the special Italian spring salad has been sold out for at least an hour—but customers are still trickling in.