Business & Tech
Affton's Trattoria Toscana Rivals The Hill For Fine Italian Cuisine
Forget about the Hill - instead go to the bottom of the hill located between MacKenzie and Weber on Gravois to Trattoria Toscana where Chef Tika prepares Italian specalities in the heart of Affton.
Experiencing fine Italian cuisine doesn’t require a trek to Tuscany. Instead take a drive through Affton on Gravois Road where a few short blocks north of MacKenzie Road you’ll find Trattoria Toscana.
“We’ve been here for five years,” said Alban Ziu who owns and oversees the operation with his cousin Chef Tika (Kostandin) Ceko, who served as chef at the legendary Dominic’s on the Hill before opening Trattoria Toscana. Together Ziu and Chef Tika have created a fine dining experience best described as a casual white tablecloth operation with understated elegance.
Trattoria Toscana’s main dining room is long and narrow yet comfortable. A small bar allows for one to enjoy a drink before dinner or for waiting for a table. Service is professional and helpful, especially when ordering – informing guests of off-the-menu items as the Sicilian Style Tilapia, a lighter version of its Tilapia Florentina.
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Italian and St Louis Italian-American dishes are emphasized and feature classic preparations for appetizers to desserts. Counted among the appetizers is the house specialty Melezane Imbottite, thinly sliced eggplant that rolled and stuffed with a seasoned ricotta cheese and served with tomato sauce.
“This time of year the Caprese Salad (fresh tomato and mozzarella cheese) is a customer favorite,” said Ziu who noted that chef uses seasonal fresh ingredients.
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Entrees vary and include an impressive list of veal dishes as Veal Milanese and Veal Saltimbocca. Shrimp Scampi and Linguine Tuttomare to Chicken Al Vino Bianco and Beef Tenderloin Toscana, lightly breaded beef medallions topped with mushrooms, mozzarella and a white wine sauce are examples of the menu’s diversity. Finish your meal with something sweet – server recommended, a slice of ricotta cream filled Cassata Cake.
Lunch and dinner are moderately priced. Lunch entrees range from $10 -$13, dinner $14 $26. Reservations are accepted. Trattroia Toscana is located at 9416 Gravois Road. Call 314-631-4321 or click www.trattoria-toscana-stl.com for more information.