Welcome to Peno Soul Food
At Peno Soul Food, we craft a unique culinary experience where Italian flavors meet Southern soul. Located in the heart of St. Louis, we celebrate the richness of both cuisines through handmade pasta, savory meat dishes, and delightful baked breads. Our menu highlights include the tender Tagliatelle and the melt-in-your-mouth lamb shank, alongside house specialties like Calabrese Chicken Noodle Soup and Sicilian Eggplant. Guests rave about our warm, cozy atmosphere reminiscent of home-cooked meals, served with genuine hospitality. At Peno, every bite is a journey, and our desserts, especially the irresistible tiramisu, ensure your experience ends on a sweet note.
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7600 Wydown Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63105 Hotline: (314) 899-9699
Introducing Peno Soul Food: A Culinary Gem in St. Louis
Welcome to Peno Soul Food, where Italian flair meets Southern charm in a delightful fusion that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the soul. Nestled in the heart of St. Louis at 7600 Wydown Blvd, Peno Soul Food invites you to indulge in a menu that boasts an array of thoughtfully crafted dishes, featuring handmade pasta and succulent meats that reflect a culinary heritage steeped in tradition.
As you step into this cozy eatery, you’re immediately enveloped in an ambiance that feels both intimate and welcoming. It is a place where the staff treats you like family, making your dining experience not just about the food but about connection and comfort. The seamless combination of exquisite dishes and attentive service consistently earns praise from patrons, as captured in a review from Aniketh N., who noted it felt like visiting a friend’s home.
Menu Highlights
At Peno, the menu is a culinary journey that captivates with both its creativity and authenticity. Here are some standout offerings that you simply cannot miss:
- Arancini - Risotto balls fried to golden perfection, served with a delectable marinara sauce ($16).
- Calabrese Chicken Noodle Soup - A comforting bowl of homemade broth studded with rich flavors, ideal for any season ($12).
- Braised Octopus - This exquisite dish braises octopus with fennel salsiccia in a spicy tomato broth, inviting everyone to dig in ($24).
- 10 Oz Giant Beef Meatballs - Luxurious meatballs enveloped in a rich tomato basil sauce, garnished with pecorino and fontinella for that perfect finish ($18).
- Tiramisu - A classic dessert that will have you savoring every layer of espresso-soaked goodness.
What Diners Are Saying
Guests at Peno often emphasize the enriching experience that accompanies the delectable cuisine. Patrons like Keith J. appreciate the inviting ambience and thoroughly enjoy dishes that differ from typical Italian fare, noting the flavorful Tagliatelle and tempting Arancini that made a lasting impression.
Michele P. shared her delight in the quick, personable service, affirming that Peno Soul Food is nothing short of “delicious.” Meanwhile, Quyen H. was particularly impressed with the creativity in the Spaghetti tutto mare, revealing the freshness of seafood nestled in a rich, creamy sauce that struck the perfect balance.
An Experience Worth Revisiting
Peno Soul Food stands out as a celebrated dining destination not just for its innovative menu but for the connections it fosters among its guests. The emphasis on high-quality ingredients and attention to detail shines in every dish, from the fresh baked Peno Loaf ($1) to the exquisite desserts that entice you to return for more.
This charming establishment proves that indulging in delightful, high-end Italian soul food is worth every dollar spent. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, Peno Soul Food promises an unforgettable experience that beckons you to return. Next time you find yourself in St. Louis, let Peno be your culinary destination for an exhilarating Italian-Southern adventure!
For reservations or inquiries, reach out at (314) 899-9699.
Absolutely wonderful time at Peno. Group of 4 with no reservation and we were seated within 5 minutes. First off the bat, the service was top tier. The servers, house manager, and owner were very nice and it made us feel like we were at a friend's home. In terms of food, it was quite tasty. I recommend getting the hand made pasta options. The others got the lamb shank and ravioli which they thought were cooked to perfection. The highlight is the desserts. We got all 4 desserts to taste test. My favorite was the affogato followed by the hazlenut Gelato with waffle. The place is quite pricey but as a once in a while location it stands true for their impressive quality and food.
I went to Peno on a Saturday night and enjoying a high quality and delicious Italian meal and loved the ambience of this cozy little restaurant. The service was great and friendly and although priced a little higher it offers dishes that set it apart from typical St. Louis American-Italian food (in my opinion). Also I didn't walk away hungry. I ordered the Tagliatele that has sausage and roasted red peppers in a yummy tomato broth and for an appetizer i had Arancini that is risotto and cheese breaded and fried and served in a marinara sauce and is very delicious. The free bread is great and used it to sap up the tomato broth and loved it and cleaned my plate. I want to go back for the pizza sometime.
This was my first time at Peno, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the service was quick and very personable. We sat on the patio by the heaters and it was perfect. Cannot wait to come back and try some other dishes!
The food was delicious! The arancini and eggplant were quite filling as appetizers and I would highly recommend. The lamb shank melts in your mouth and the bruschetta fresh. The place was relatively busy for a Friday evening, but if you go before typical dinner rush, a reservation isn't needed. The service was great and the vibes were good all around. They have indoor and covered outdoor seating. A nice place to go if you're looking to treat yourself for some high end Italian. Plus, the tiramisu was SO good.
We had such a lovely meal and experience. Our waitstaff was great! Laura was attentive in all the best ways and was super pleasant and helpful. We had a lovely chat with Harry. We really liked him too. The food was excellent and the ambience was lovely. Good experience all the way around. Love this place.
What a cute little place! It was perfect to get some Italian soul food on the cool rainy night at the beginning of fall. It's a very cozy atmosphere. Service was attentive and the food was amazing. I tried the meatballs(because if they're on the menu, I'm getting them! Haha). Very juicy and flavorful. And the gnocchi was cooked just right. It's not always the easiest type of pasta to prepare, but they did it! I would recommend getting a reservation as it was packed. A reservation was pretty easy to get, I snagged one the day before with no issue. Keep in mind parking around this area can be terrible. Especially on a weekend evening. It's mostly street parking all over way down. Carpool if you can!
Great Italian food with cocktails to boot! Salad was light and refreshing. Sausage Tagliatelle was very good but my favorite was Veal Cannelloni which was packed with flavor, balanced between veal, cheese and tomato sauce, and beautifully presented. All our food got 5/5 stars - the one critique I have is the pasta in both dishes was overcooked. Portions are large so be prepared for leftovers. The outdoor seating area does face the road and decorations aren't anything special. There are quite a few regulars / guests familiar to the waitstaff which makes it feel like a family restaurant. Overall, high marks and I plan to return.
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 : )