Porano Pasta Mercantile Exchange Gerard Craft THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Porano Pasta

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Porano Pasta

Mercantile Exchange
634 Washington Ave. (N. Sixth St.)
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-833-6414
Map
Cuisine: Italian / American / Pasta
Chef Gerard Craft sets a new standard for fast-casual Italian at his first venture downtown.
Openings: Lunch daily

Features


THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Porano Pasta Restaurant Review:


The four-part formula for building a meal at Porano Pasta is appealingly simple: base, sauce, protein/vegetable and toppings. With each layer, customers have a chance to go out on a limb with Gerard Craft, the chef and restaurateur whose vision is behind some of St. Louis’ most highly rated eateries. In the bowl, the adventurous diner could opt for farro, a tasty romaine-kale mix or organic semolina pasta. For the sauce, mix in creamy anchovy and smoky sugo or one of nine other options, including a pumpkin seed-lime pesto. Proteins hold up well to the fast-casual format, especially the slow-roasted pork and spicy tofu. Then there are the finishing touches, like the addictive crispy fried minced garlic, toasted almonds, fresh herbs or spicy honey. Don’t leave without a gelato pop for dessert --- if the lines are long, order it with your meal and eat it first. Staff is ultra-efficient and knows the menu well. Red and white wines and the two beer selections are generic, yet still welcome after the flurry of ordering and finding a seat.