Podcasts / Arch Eats / ‘Arch Eats’ Podcast: Best Italian Restaurants in St. Louis

‘Arch Eats’ Podcast: Best Italian Restaurants in St. Louis

In the podcast’s inaugural episode, George Mahe and Cheryl Baehr discuss some of the best pasta dishes in St. Louis, the expanding Italian restaurant scene, and thoughts about tipping on tablets while being watched.

by SLM Staff November 3, 2023 at 8:24 AM July 31, 2025

In This Episode

In the inaugural episode of Arch Eats, dining editor George Mahe and restaurant critic Cheryl Baehr engage in a lively conversation about the nuances of dried and fresh pasta, as well as the Italian restaurant scene on The Hill and beyond. (Could St. Charles become The Hill 2.0? Liliana’s is flourishing in Cottleville, Napoli Sea opened at Streets of St. Charles, and there’s O’Fallon’s forthcoming Osteria Forto.) Learn where to grab the under-the-radar masterpiece described as “one giant pillow of… I don’t even know what you’d call it” and “the best mashed potatoes of your life crossed with lasagna.” And amid their gastronomic revelations, Mahe and Baehr share thoughts about tipping on a tablet while being watched.

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Thank you to Westport Plaza for sponsoring this episode of Arch Eats.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Sasha’s Wine Bar: 706 DeMun, Clayton, 314-863-7274.

Angad Rainbow Terrace Bar (ART Bar): 3550 Samuel Shepard, Grand Center, 314-561-0033.

Frisco Barroom: 8110 Big Bend, Webster Groves, 314-455-1090.

Maryland House: 44 Maryland Plz., CWE, 314-497-4449.

Silky’s Frozen Custard – 3 area locations

Cape Napoli: Three area locations, plus Napoli Sea

Osteria Forto: 2509 Highway K, O’Fallon, Mo. 636-294-1435.

Noto Italian Restaurant: 5105 Westwood, St. Peters, Mo. 636-317-1143.

Liliana’s Italian Kitchen: 3891 Mid Rivers Mall, Cottleville, Mo., 636-477-5550.

Vicini Pastaria: 1916 Park, Lafayette Square, 314-827-6150.

Pastaria: 7734 Forsyth, Clayton, 314-862-6603.

Paul Manno’s Café: 75 Forum Shop Ctr., Creve Coeur, 314-878-1274.

Louie: 706 DeMun, Clayton, 314-300-8188

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About The Hosts

George Mahe

George Mahe has spent most of his life immersed in the restaurant industry, owning and operating establishments before delving into food journalism. He began reviewing restaurants for St. Louis Magazine 35 years ago under the pseudonym “Arnie Boye” (a tribute to his dog) and became the magazine’s first dining editor in 1992. His fair and balanced approach spawned a local restaurant consulting company, and further ventures in ownership. In 2006, he returned to SLM. George spearheads the magazine’s dining coverage, curates the weekly Dining Out newsletter, and co-hosts the Arch Eats podcast. George lives in University City with his wife, Suzi. Send your dining questions to [email protected].

Cheryl Baehr

Cheryl Baehr has been telling the story of the St. Louis dining scene since 2013, drawing upon her decades-plus experience in the industry and her passion for food and the people who make our city so delicious. A graduate of the University of Missouri St. Louis and the University of Denver, Cheryl left a career in government in Washington, DC to return to her hometown to write about food, first as longtime dining critic for the Riverfront Times and now as a staff writer, co-host of the Arch Eats podcast, and editor of the Dining In newsletter at St. Louis Magazine. When she’s not celebrating the St. Louis food scene, you can find this proud Florissantonian and recent University City expat sipping on coffee at her home in Wildwood with her daughter, Coretta, her partner, Nick, her step-dog, Van, and her beloved Great Pyrenees, Chloe.