Paul Manno’s Cafe

I am not that big of fan of Italian, but this place certainly worth my awhile to visit.
Randomly ran into this place on Unilocal on a random night so I was unfortunately under dressed for what we were going for. This place was hidden by Goodwill and covered with silver film so I would’ve not had any clue what it was. The door way is a little cramped to enter.
Inside was very classic décor. Waiter was shockingly friendly and pleasant to deal with (strange thing to say since we were going there and pay them to do stuff).
Started with lobster ravioli, what impressed me was how they divided the food ahead of time which I thought was extremely considerate of them. The ravioli was rich and fantastic! A must order if you like lobster.
Main course: I ordered a clamp pasta. It was perfect portion wise, little more on the rich side but was tasty, more like a 4 stars. Server provided a little plate on the side so I can leave the shells on. Hubby got a porkloin, and he loved it!
Desert was chocolate cake with ice cream. It was okay… was hoping for lava cake type. Though the ice cream on the side was crystal-​like and delish, the kind I love.
Again, the service was really really impressive and worth your visit, along with overall 4 star food. Next time I’m gonna try something more traditional Italian.

Walked in at 9:20 pm and web says they close at 10 pm. Refused to serve us — don’t waste your time going here as they make their schedule to fit their lives not yours!!! Won’t be going back and will recount my bad experience to everyone I know!!!

This is the best example of the statement «don’t judge a book by its cover.» I had doubts at first, as it’s in a strip mall next to Goodwill. But I was wrong. The owner personally approaches each table, and the white linen tablecloths add to a great ambiance. The food is outstanding, and is better than any place on The Hill. It is also reasonably priced. I’d make a reservation though, because it’s a very small restaurant.

Awesome authentic Italian restaurant, with amazing food! Best Calamari appetizer in town! … Melt-​in-​your-​mouth Sea-Bass…Perfect med. rare Filet-​Mignon! Great wait-​staff …Can’t wait to return!

I ate there for the first time last night. It was like Food Porn! Orgasmic ;-) I really enjoyed it. We had canneloni, a veal chop, chilean seabass, house salad, pasta alfredo, rigatoni, wine, tiramisu & a brandy alexander. The ambiance was very nice & romantic. The waitstaff were very attentive. I can’t wait to go back!

This place is very very good food. Calamari with spicy marinara was fantastic. Grouper with Marinara sauce was plentiful and tasty. I could eat at this place a lot.

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome… love Mannos. It is a bit pricy but well worth it (figure 75 to 100 per person). I always have the stacked egg plant salad. I am not a huge eggplant fan but it is delicious. Pan seared, stacked with tomato and buffalo mozzarella sprinkled with sweet balsamic vinegar… perfect combination of flavors… almost like a dessert.
Highly recommend the rack of lamb medium rare. It is served in a light garlic sauce and I do a small side of lasagna (pasta comes with the dish). Many great desserts. I always tell my wife that this would be my death row meal. If I was offered my choice for last meal on this planet I would send them to Mannos for the above. Upon finishing I would tell them that I am ready… FLIP THE SWITCH.
Wait staff top notch professionals… they are great.

I live down the street from Paul Manno’s Café and have been there several times. This past Saturday we went there and had a terrible experience. They put our table right by the bar and waiters rushing past us all evening. My friend ordered a steak (medium) and it was well done. When we told the waiter (Avery) he was very rude to us. I would make sure I didn’t get him for a waiter. I tried to tell Paul Jr, and he says what no way he has been here 12 years. Paul senior would have never let his waiters be rude to a customer. My food was just alright. I won’t be back.

We’ve been wanting to check out Paul Manno’s for a long time, because everyone raves about it. The compliments are totally deserved. We finally got there last night for our anniversary, and we loved it!
The ambiance is wonderful, and very reminiscent of Italian restaurants in our hometown of San Francisco! It was love at first sight and bite! The food is unpretentious… just delicious, honest Italian home cooking, beautifully prepared and presented. This is my new favorite restaurant in the St. Louis area!

We just moved to the area and Had an amazing experience here. The interior ambiance, service and food were all on point. The food is wonderful home style Italian, and the rack of lamb is the showstopper. Definitely have found our new date night spot!

One of the true classics when it comes to Italian Cuisine outside of Chicago and New York. It has a very well balanced menu with too many highlights to list, a wine menu that above par, and customer service that perfectly compliments the impeccable dishes they serve. Don’t be turned off by the location, it’s a gem.

I can’t think of anything I didn’t care for about Paul Manno’s Café. The waitstaff very nice, the food was the best I can remember having in many months. Paul Manno will visit every table to greet his guests, a gracious Old World Italian gesture.
I do recommend this restaurant. You may be surprised that it is in a strip mall, but very lovely and dark and romantic inside.

Came here with my dinner club tonight, and I hate to say that I was a little disappointed in my dining experience.
I arrived at 6:45p and the rest of the party got there shortly after with the last person arriving at 7:15p. The waiter was pretty prompt in introducing himself and quickly asked for our drink orders. The restaurant is really, really dark — so dark that the waiters walk around with flashlights lol. Never seen that before.
Around 7:30 or so, he told us the specials for the night, in which we planned on ordering very soon after hearing them.
Now when we started, we were at 3 tables pushed together — settings for 13pp. The host let the waiter know that it was just going to be the 7 instead, in which we were able to move to one table and free up the other two tables. No problem. So about 15 more minutes passed and we still hadn’t ordered yet.
Finally he comes back to the table only to be interrupted by one of the other guests that ended up coming. He left to get her a place setting and I swear he was gone for another 15 minutes.
So at this time, it’s after 8 and no one has ordered anything yet. Several of us had planned to order appetizers and salads but instead opted for just the main courses due to the long wait. So he finally came back and the host was a little irritated at the wait, which he acknowledged and proceeded to take our orders. It seemed fine at this point. Not.
It literally took the food 45 minutes to come out. So it’s almost 9:00p and the food is arriving. Everyone was annoyed and perturbed by the wait but I must say that the food was delicious — hence the 3 stars. I ordered the Pollo Involtini ($ 24) which was chicken stuffed mushrooms, prosciutto, spinach, and cheese and some other ingredients. It was served with a side of spinach under red sauce and Parmesan cheeses. It was really good, honestly. It almost made up entirely for the evening, but it didn’t.
2 ½ hours later with no food was rather disappointing. I ate about half of my meal then had the rest boxed up because it was so late in the evening. Didn’t try any desserts either, which was a bummer because they were probably delicious as well.
I really wanted to love this place but unfortunately I probably would not return. I’ll just continue to patronize the Italian restaurants on the Hill, closer to my home.

Across the board 5 stars. Now it may not look like much from the outside but let me tell you… YOU WILL BE SATISFIED and need to be rolled out the door. Andrew was my waiter and he’s fantastic!
This place was recommended by my hotel, Marriott off Maryville and this recommendation did not disappoint. This is as authentic as you can get in Italian cuisine. If I could open up one of these in CLT I would in a heartbeat.
When you drive up you’ll probably think like I did, oh no what kind of place could this be bc it’s in a shopping center. Well was I pleasantly surprised. I think it’s definitely a hidden gem that only the locals know about.
Now once inside its a little dark but you’ll be fine bc it’s relaxing and has a nice cozy dining room feel.
When you order your entrée, it’s wheeled out and still piping hot! I think this display is very cool and unique!
For dinner I had the Halibut with lemon caper sauce and the tortellini with peas and pancetta. They have risotto but only on certain nights or when available. My dinner was divine!
Given the chance to come back again, I would in a heartbeat

The service was excellent! We order the Ponyshoe skillet and the Farmer skillet and it was more food than we could eat. Hot, fresh, and great service couldn’t ask for more!

This is by far one of the very best restaurants in St. Louis. Authentically Italian, family run for decades, and a caring staff down to every detail. The Manno family works hard for a repeat clientele and it shows. Who doesn’t love this family? They illustrate the hospitality side of the business above and beyond their culinary talent.
I ordered the Veal Piccata (loved their house salad too). I know it’s not the calorie saboteur that some of the pastas would be and it was perfectly prepared. My husband got the tortellini (almost never gets anything else). He said it’s one of the best he’s ever had, but I wouldn’t know. I am not much of a tortellini fan. In the 90’s, we came here once a week because we lived less than a mile away. The dining room was ultra tiny then, and years ago, they expanded with a second, bigger dining room. It hasn’t lost that cozy feel, however I do miss the best-​kept-​secret quality during that period. Today, it’s not nearly as easy to get a table.
It still sits in a rather unattractive strip mall, but that doesn’t bother me. The central location makes up for it.
We intend to become regulars again because we’ve really missed it.

If you are looking for a romantic night at a five star place that offers impeccable service with a professional staff, this is your place.
The combinations of food wake up your taste buds in the same way they must have waken up the creativity of Paul Mann, head chef.
Upon entering there are some photos of Paul Mann with celebrities, however it isn’t necessary. One meal here and we were sold.
Our waiter, Aaron, was nothing shy of professional. They way he kept checking on our satisfaction was comforting.
It is a darker restaurant giving it the romantic feel, even Aaron had a small flashlight for us to use. But once we knew what we wanted the lighting just added to the ambiance of the night.
Oh, women, the restroom smelt like a spa. It wasn’t decorated or constructed in a special way, however they did offer quality lotion. It was just one more thing that encouraged five stars.

All I can say is the food was excellent. The quality was far above what you would expect for the price. The service was gracious and timed just right. The atmosphere was enjoyable and low key.
We really appreciated the hospitality. We hard and long day and Paul’s was just the medicine we all needed to face the rest of the weekend.

Wow! Not at all what I expected when walking up to the place. Found in a strip mall with blah deco outside and small sign. Inside, though, is a dark, authentic Italian restaurant that is dark and romantic. The food is amazing – truly! And Paul himself stops by your table to check in. The lamb chop is the specialty and now I know why.
I HIGHLY recommend this place – and don’t judge it by the outside. Go in and see for yourself. You’ll be pleasantly surprised… like discovering a secret place that’s worth the discovery.

Ate here after reading some reviews so I thought I’d give it a shot. Darkly lit place, not the most comfortable. I ordered the Lasagna, which was delicious. Can’t say enough how good it was. It was 4 – 5 stars easily.
The reason I knock the place a little is because when I ordered the Lasagna, the waiter asked me what I would like for my salad. I just said a side salad with whatever dressing would be fine. I ASSUMED it came with my meal, I really didn’t even want it. Well, when I got my bill, I had gotten a 9 dollar salad. I didn’t say anything about it, but be careful when ordering so you don’t accidentally get tricked into getting something you really didn’t want to pay for. It’s an older crowd restaurant which is fine. I like my food, just wish I hadn’t paid for the salad.