THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Benedetto's

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Benedetto's Restaurant Review:

Benedetto's is geographically not on the old St. Louis Italian neighborhood known as the Hill, but it could be. Inside a small shopping center-office complex there are crystal chandeliers and black tie waiters, and the suave Benedetto Buzzatta is a charming host. All very civilized, to the point of having a faux sidewalk café in the atrium where diners face shop facades. No one would ever call this a spaghetti house, but pasta here is splendid, al dente and luxuriously sauced with things like lobster and portobello mushrooms. Shrimp de Jonghe leads the appetizer list in a delicious style. Veal is a consistent winner, with a giant chop leading the way, and classics like piccata and Milanese in lovely presentations. Beef filet stuffed with crab and sauced with Cognac is a celebratory dish worthy of a fine Barolo, one of many fine Italian labels on a solid list.