Such a hidden gem!! IYKYK! Peno has great food, a great atmosphere, and wonderful servers. And I LOVE their pizza! My favorite is the Roberto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
natalie jensen
I came here with a group of girlfriends for my friends bachelorette dinner party this past weekend, the staff was very friendly, the restaurant is beautiful, and the food is wonderful! The owner came out and spoke with us and was so kind, he provided us some amazing apps on the house which made her night even more special. since I have gone gluten free going out to eat hasnt been the easiest, I was able to get their Pepe Gluten Free pizza and it was to die for! I absolutely recommend this place and will for sure come back!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Olive and Grape Salad & Bruschetta
Quyen H.
We came to Peno (pronounced PAY-no) for a late dinner last night with no expectation, but we were very impressed with their outstanding food quality and an exceptional staffs/service. We got seated immediately on a covered patio. Soon after that, my server brought water and bread to our table. I love how cozy and elegant the restaurant is.For appetizer, we got the Sicilian eggplant. I am a sucker for Asian eggplant dishes, so we were both really excited to try this dish. After the first bite, I couldn't stop eating. The owner/chef Pepe really took this simple ingredient to another level. The eggplant flesh was so tender and sweet. The tomato sauce was well seasoned and had great flavor. Must try item 10/10!!!For entrée, my partner wanted to try the Roasted lamb shank Calabrese but it was sold out. He got the Tagliatelle instead. He wasn't a fan of the pasta texture - too soft for his liking, but nothing wrong with the dish. I got the Spaghetti tutto mare substituted with white sauce. Seafood was very fresh and I loved the sauce - rich, creamy but not overwhelming. I definitely will come back for the seafood stew and lamb shank.I didn't plan to drink tonight but it was such a good vibe here...So I got the Pink Sangria which was suggested by my waitress. I was happy with it over the red sangria. And my partner got the Berry Basil Smash (non alcoholic) and wow it was so refreshing. Of course we couldn't leave without having tiramisu for dessert.My waitress was amazing and attentive. She asked if I wanted a bowl for seafood shell : ) . I ordered a watermelon Italian soda for my little one, and she offered to switch the drink from glass to plastic cup. She came by a few times to check if we needed anything or if we were satisfied with our food.Overall, we had a fantastic time here. We"ll definitely come back to try their Mare pizza.They looked delicious from other tables' orders. We left very full and happy : )
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Renee Alwadi
Heard a lot about this place from my family member! Tried it and with an honest opinion It’s not worth it whatsoever! Ordered beet salad (nothing fresh in this salad) I can tell and I hope I am wrong beets were ready to go steamed beets remind me of Costco packet if it’s not it!! preparation was simply cut it add olive oil,balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and side of of arugula! BLAH !!Ordered a seafood stew which is a simple joke! Tomato sauce came out of a jar not prepared in the back kitchen, then through a mix of seafood with Spinach and add underneath something claimed to be an overcooked previous prepared risotto! Sad to say all this and don’t to want to be negative but yes it is not good! Didn’t take a pic of beet salad.Service was good and atmosphere as well!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Riyad Insurance ملك التأمين
All my old experiences in this place were amazing but tonight kinda meh , the food quality is not the same. I will come back again to see if the good food is back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Whitney in the City
Peno is one of my favorite restaurants in STL!The service is excellent!! They go above and beyond to make you feel completely welcome and answered my millions of questions about what to order.. they also gave great recommendations (I am indecisive and always ask the expert)!Their food is incredible! You can taste the freshness and that each dish is carefully prepared and crafted with love!My favorite menu staples:- Octopus - this is amazing! Perfect balance of flavors and textures!- Giant Meatballs - whether you order this as an app or get the spaghetti & meatballs, these balls are not to be missed- Gnocchi - do yourself a favor and order this.. they're so good! Between the pillowy soft gnocchi to the house tomato basil sauce, this is a MUST!- Pizza - any of them! I love all the flavors of the Guiseppe but they're all to die for!Peno is great. Stop reading reviews and just go already.
Located in the heart of Clayton, Peno Soul Food offers Southern Italian traditions. Stepping into this cozy spot feels like entering a rustic home kitchen with dishes prepared with lots of soul.The octopus was juicy and prepared in a red sauce, a unique take on the dish. The gnocchi was so simple and perfect. I absolutely love the fusion of the olive and grape salad.The Chef Owner Pepe is a trip. We love him! You can taste the love and passion that goes into every plate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Octopus, Octopus
Sara G.
Located in the heart of Clayton, Peno Soul Food offers Southern Italian traditions. Stepping into this cozy spot feels like entering a rustic home kitchen with dishes prepared with lots of soul. The octopus was juicy and prepared in a red sauce, a unique take on the dish. The gnocchi was so simple and perfect. I absolutely love the fusion of the olive and grape salad. The Chef Owner Pepe is a trip. We love him! You can taste the love and passion that goes into every plate.
John H.
I went to Peno with a large group (reservation made ahead) on a recent Saturday night. We were promptly seated when we arrived. Our server was great the entire evening. The atmosphere at Peno is modern and cozy at the same time. I started with the Tucci House Salad. It was fresh, delicious, and generously proportioned. Our server brought fresh, warm bread out with the salads that was very tasty. My entree was the Risotto Milanese. It was well prepared and presented. The only miss was a bit of cartilage in a couple of the chicken pieces. I also ordered a Limoncello. I didn't read the menu carefully and was surprised when it was a Limoncello crema . No matter it was tasty. I also ordered the Tiramisu. It was also fine, but lacked flavor. Overall, the experience at Peno was very enjoyable. Our server was attentive, kept the drinks full the entire evening, and had a terrific memory because she didn't write anything down and didn't make a single mistake. I will definitely go back to Peno. They have a wide range of items on the menu.
Emily K.
My husband and I came here for date night on a Friday. We had a reservation but the place was not packed. There also is a parking lot but it's not very big so just be aware you'll most likely have to drive around to find parking. The place is small and cute with a nice patio. The patio was covered when we went and it was a chilly night but it was warm on the covered patio. To start we got the braised octopus. This was very good!! The octopus was not super chewy and was cooked perfectly. Next we got a house salad to split and I really enjoyed it. I got the chicken ravioli special as my main dish. This was not to my liking. It didn't really have a lot of flavor and tasted watery. My husband got the Rigatoni Norma. This was very good and had a lot of flavor! Overall, this was a good experience and we will come back for another nice little date night!
My husband and I as well as the couple that we took who had just moved to St. Louis, loved it. I had been to Peno before with my son and DIL; a great restaurant on the street that we used to live on! It's so much better than a dry cleaner, which was there before; it makes me miss Wydown now! The restaurant is beautiful, great vibe, and the food is delicious. However, we sat on the patio, and the waiter station's light was so bright. Could you put a lower-wattage bulb in the light fixture? Otherwise, everything was perfect!
Paul R.
An EXPERIENCE! This place has the whole package. The moment we stepped through the door, into cozy elegance, the friendly and engaged staff had us! They suggested some exciting drinks and starters we had never heard of, and just saying "yes" opened up flavors and excitement we both talked about all evening! The rest of the night followed suit!
Ty F.
We had a great evening. Our server was fantastic with his recommendations and made his rounds often for drinks and to clear out dishes. We got the Olive and Grape salad first to share and it was good. Didn't blow us away, but the dressing was solid. Then we ordered the Vedore Miste pizza and the Tagliatelle. Both were amazing. We were a little full from the bread/salad by this time. The crust was perfectly done and the goat cheese on this added a nice flavor to it. The Tagliatelle was just as good if not better. Our server recommended adding in some extra Parmesan cheese to thicken up the sauce and I would suggest that to others as well! The noodles were probably the best part of this dish.
Stephanie D.
Great atmosphere, service and food - highlighted by the melanzane appetizer and the absolute best pizza in St. Louis!
Agnes Mannarelli
Very nice staff. However, I must’ve ordered the wrong thing! They had a sea bass special for $44 and I was expecting a properly cooked piece of fish, instead I got something topped with a tomato slop which rendered the fish unrecognizable. After pushing aside the tomatoes what was revealed was an overcooked piece of sea bass. Very disappointing, especially at that price point. The meal came with a medley of vegetable that were gray/green in color and mostly potatoes and whole pieces of garlic, and the pasta was bland and also overcooked and just sad. My friend ordered the Rucola pizza which was served with spinach not Rucola or even Arugula. I know southern Italian food very well and this was not it! I’m very sorry to be so blunt but this meal really left an impression on me unfortunately not in a good way.
Such a hidden gem!! IYKYK! Peno has great food, a great atmosphere, and wonderful servers. And I LOVE their pizza! My favorite is the Roberto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came here with a group of girlfriends for my friends bachelorette dinner party this past weekend, the staff was very friendly, the restaurant is beautiful, and the food is wonderful! The owner came out and spoke with us and was so kind, he provided us some amazing apps on the house which made her night even more special. since I have gone gluten free going out to eat hasnt been the easiest, I was able to get their Pepe Gluten Free pizza and it was to die for! I absolutely recommend this place and will for sure come back!Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Olive and Grape Salad & Bruschetta
We came to Peno (pronounced PAY-no) for a late dinner last night with no expectation, but we were very impressed with their outstanding food quality and an exceptional staffs/service. We got seated immediately on a covered patio. Soon after that, my server brought water and bread to our table. I love how cozy and elegant the restaurant is.For appetizer, we got the Sicilian eggplant. I am a sucker for Asian eggplant dishes, so we were both really excited to try this dish. After the first bite, I couldn't stop eating. The owner/chef Pepe really took this simple ingredient to another level. The eggplant flesh was so tender and sweet. The tomato sauce was well seasoned and had great flavor. Must try item 10/10!!!For entrée, my partner wanted to try the Roasted lamb shank Calabrese but it was sold out. He got the Tagliatelle instead. He wasn't a fan of the pasta texture - too soft for his liking, but nothing wrong with the dish. I got the Spaghetti tutto mare substituted with white sauce. Seafood was very fresh and I loved the sauce - rich, creamy but not overwhelming. I definitely will come back for the seafood stew and lamb shank.I didn't plan to drink tonight but it was such a good vibe here...So I got the Pink Sangria which was suggested by my waitress. I was happy with it over the red sangria. And my partner got the Berry Basil Smash (non alcoholic) and wow it was so refreshing. Of course we couldn't leave without having tiramisu for dessert.My waitress was amazing and attentive. She asked if I wanted a bowl for seafood shell : ) . I ordered a watermelon Italian soda for my little one, and she offered to switch the drink from glass to plastic cup. She came by a few times to check if we needed anything or if we were satisfied with our food.Overall, we had a fantastic time here. We"ll definitely come back to try their Mare pizza.They looked delicious from other tables' orders. We left very full and happy : )
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heard a lot about this place from my family member! Tried it and with an honest opinion It’s not worth it whatsoever! Ordered beet salad (nothing fresh in this salad) I can tell and I hope I am wrong beets were ready to go steamed beets remind me of Costco packet if it’s not it!! preparation was simply cut it add olive oil,balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and side of of arugula! BLAH !!Ordered a seafood stew which is a simple joke! Tomato sauce came out of a jar not prepared in the back kitchen, then through a mix of seafood with Spinach and add underneath something claimed to be an overcooked previous prepared risotto! Sad to say all this and don’t to want to be negative but yes it is not good! Didn’t take a pic of beet salad.Service was good and atmosphere as well!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
All my old experiences in this place were amazing but tonight kinda meh , the food quality is not the same. I will come back again to see if the good food is back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Peno is one of my favorite restaurants in STL!The service is excellent!! They go above and beyond to make you feel completely welcome and answered my millions of questions about what to order.. they also gave great recommendations (I am indecisive and always ask the expert)!Their food is incredible! You can taste the freshness and that each dish is carefully prepared and crafted with love!My favorite menu staples:- Octopus - this is amazing! Perfect balance of flavors and textures!- Giant Meatballs - whether you order this as an app or get the spaghetti & meatballs, these balls are not to be missed- Gnocchi - do yourself a favor and order this.. they're so good! Between the pillowy soft gnocchi to the house tomato basil sauce, this is a MUST!- Pizza - any of them! I love all the flavors of the Guiseppe but they're all to die for!Peno is great. Stop reading reviews and just go already.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Giant Beef Meatballs, Bruschetta, Meatballs, Braised Octopus, Octopus
Located in the heart of Clayton, Peno Soul Food offers Southern Italian traditions. Stepping into this cozy spot feels like entering a rustic home kitchen with dishes prepared with lots of soul.The octopus was juicy and prepared in a red sauce, a unique take on the dish. The gnocchi was so simple and perfect. I absolutely love the fusion of the olive and grape salad.The Chef Owner Pepe is a trip. We love him! You can taste the love and passion that goes into every plate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Octopus, Octopus
Located in the heart of Clayton, Peno Soul Food offers Southern Italian traditions. Stepping into this cozy spot feels like entering a rustic home kitchen with dishes prepared with lots of soul. The octopus was juicy and prepared in a red sauce, a unique take on the dish. The gnocchi was so simple and perfect. I absolutely love the fusion of the olive and grape salad. The Chef Owner Pepe is a trip. We love him! You can taste the love and passion that goes into every plate.
I went to Peno with a large group (reservation made ahead) on a recent Saturday night. We were promptly seated when we arrived. Our server was great the entire evening. The atmosphere at Peno is modern and cozy at the same time. I started with the Tucci House Salad. It was fresh, delicious, and generously proportioned. Our server brought fresh, warm bread out with the salads that was very tasty. My entree was the Risotto Milanese. It was well prepared and presented. The only miss was a bit of cartilage in a couple of the chicken pieces. I also ordered a Limoncello. I didn't read the menu carefully and was surprised when it was a Limoncello crema . No matter it was tasty. I also ordered the Tiramisu. It was also fine, but lacked flavor. Overall, the experience at Peno was very enjoyable. Our server was attentive, kept the drinks full the entire evening, and had a terrific memory because she didn't write anything down and didn't make a single mistake. I will definitely go back to Peno. They have a wide range of items on the menu.
My husband and I came here for date night on a Friday. We had a reservation but the place was not packed. There also is a parking lot but it's not very big so just be aware you'll most likely have to drive around to find parking. The place is small and cute with a nice patio. The patio was covered when we went and it was a chilly night but it was warm on the covered patio. To start we got the braised octopus. This was very good!! The octopus was not super chewy and was cooked perfectly. Next we got a house salad to split and I really enjoyed it. I got the chicken ravioli special as my main dish. This was not to my liking. It didn't really have a lot of flavor and tasted watery. My husband got the Rigatoni Norma. This was very good and had a lot of flavor! Overall, this was a good experience and we will come back for another nice little date night!
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I as well as the couple that we took who had just moved to St. Louis, loved it. I had been to Peno before with my son and DIL; a great restaurant on the street that we used to live on! It's so much better than a dry cleaner, which was there before; it makes me miss Wydown now! The restaurant is beautiful, great vibe, and the food is delicious. However, we sat on the patio, and the waiter station's light was so bright. Could you put a lower-wattage bulb in the light fixture? Otherwise, everything was perfect!
An EXPERIENCE! This place has the whole package. The moment we stepped through the door, into cozy elegance, the friendly and engaged staff had us! They suggested some exciting drinks and starters we had never heard of, and just saying "yes" opened up flavors and excitement we both talked about all evening! The rest of the night followed suit!
We had a great evening. Our server was fantastic with his recommendations and made his rounds often for drinks and to clear out dishes. We got the Olive and Grape salad first to share and it was good. Didn't blow us away, but the dressing was solid. Then we ordered the Vedore Miste pizza and the Tagliatelle. Both were amazing. We were a little full from the bread/salad by this time. The crust was perfectly done and the goat cheese on this added a nice flavor to it. The Tagliatelle was just as good if not better. Our server recommended adding in some extra Parmesan cheese to thicken up the sauce and I would suggest that to others as well! The noodles were probably the best part of this dish.
Great atmosphere, service and food - highlighted by the melanzane appetizer and the absolute best pizza in St. Louis!
Very nice staff. However, I must’ve ordered the wrong thing! They had a sea bass special for $44 and I was expecting a properly cooked piece of fish, instead I got something topped with a tomato slop which rendered the fish unrecognizable. After pushing aside the tomatoes what was revealed was an overcooked piece of sea bass. Very disappointing, especially at that price point. The meal came with a medley of vegetable that were gray/green in color and mostly potatoes and whole pieces of garlic, and the pasta was bland and also overcooked and just sad. My friend ordered the Rucola pizza which was served with spinach not Rucola or even Arugula. I know southern Italian food very well and this was not it! I’m very sorry to be so blunt but this meal really left an impression on me unfortunately not in a good way.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 4