After a much anticipated wait, Mario Iaccarino’s Casa Don Alfonso at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis will open this Sunday, March 21. Casa Don Alfonso will open with breakfast service seven days a week from 6:30am-10am, and lunch service will be held Monday through Saturday from 11:00am– 2:30pm. Dinner service will be available Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00pm – 9:00 pm and Friday/ Saturday 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Sunday brunch service will be available from 10:00am – 3:00pm. 

Inspired by Iaccarino’s childhood in Southern Italy, Casa Don Alfonso is a love letter to the Sorrento Coast, featuring timeless Mediterranean recipes and charming hospitality. Chef de cuisine Sergio Chierego will honor the culinary traditions of Italy’s Campania region with carefully chosen ingredients that most closely resemble the sun-kissed produce harvested at the Iaccarino family’s farm. “It has always been a dream to open in the U.S., and this project has truly come to life and blossomed in St. Louis,” says Iaccarino. “We can’t wait to share our passion with the community.”

For his first venture in the United States, Iaccarino looked to create an approachable setting for which The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis enlisted Atlanta-based architecture and interior design firm The Johnson Studio to bring to life. The 2,745 square-foot restaurant and bar features a romantic, light purple color palette inspired by the lavender fields near Don Alfonso 1890. Bringing together Sant’ Agata and St. Louis, and as a nod to the city’s converging rivers, The Johnson Studio intertwined architectural elements like arches and curves, inviting the diner’s eyes to dance through the interior. Guests can expect relaxed seating at the lounge and bar area, with the backdrop of the restaurant’s expansive 3,000 bottle wine collection anchored by two eye-catching violet busts by Italian ceramicist Giovanni de Maio on either side. Counter-style seating surrounds the copper accented open kitchen, where guests can reserve a front row seat to Casa Don Alfonso’s very own pizzaiolo crafting authentic Neapolitan pizzas. For tableside service, guests will dine under a hand-blown glass wisteria chandelier, surrounded by original artwork by Italian artist and friend of the Iaccarino family, Anna Russo. 

Don Alfonso 1890’s culinarian and chef Ernesto Iaccarino developed the Mediterranean menu, featuring recipes passed down in the Iaccarino family for generations, in addition to beloved regional dishes. The menu begins with antipasti like Neapolitan-style Fritto Misto with an assortment of arancino, lightly-fried vegetables, and potato croquettes, as well as Tuna Tartare, and Classic Eggplant Parmigiana. Inspired by the pillars of the Mediterranean diet, guests can enjoy anti-aging soups like Tomato & Basil and Castellucio Lentil that are filled with vegetables and legumes, complemented by aromatics served tableside. Casa Don Alfonso’s very own Pizzaiolo will offer guests eight different Neapolitan pizza varieties like Cherry Tomatoes & Burrata and Calabrian ‘Nduja, all made on an organic sourdough crust, gently proofed for 48 hours. Casa Don Alfonso’s fresh and handmade pastas create an edible narrative of the Iaccarino family legacy with Grandmother’s Ziti, Sorrento Coast-Style Baked Tiny Gnocchi, Lasagna Napoletana, Fresh Tagliatelle, and Maccheroni Gratin. Secondi options include Rack of Colorado Lamb, The Rediscovery of the Chicken Cacciatora, and Traditional Pork Braciola. Sorrento’s close proximity to the coast allows seafood dishes to shine, and guests can choose the Catch of the Day served acqua-pazza style, Classical Cod & Potatoes, or Grilled Maine Lobster. Whimsical desserts transport guests to Naples’s nostalgic bakeries with creations like Sorrento Coast Lemon Delizia and Sfogliatella Santa Rosa.

Inspired by the many bright flavors of the Sorrento Coast, including limoncello from the Iaccarino family property, the cocktail program highlights traditional Italian cocktails with playful twists. General Manager Alen Tanovic has crafted signature cocktails like Amalfitana (Reposado Tequila, Campari, Fresh Grapefruit and Lime Juice, Aranciata Juice and Agave Nectar) and Wisteria Skies (Malfy Gin, Cocchi Americano, Blood Orange Syrup, Butterfly Pea and Lemon Juice) in addition to a rotating list of seasonal cocktails. The beverage list includes two bottled cocktail options, The Filipo Bianco, an Italian spritz aptly named for the renowned Italian playwright as well as the Amalfitana, both of which are available for tableside service and takeaway. Guests can also imbibe with the non-alcoholic and rejuvenating Don Alfonso Elixir that is also a bottled beverage option. The tonic includes antioxidants from smokey Lapchaung tea, notes of ginger and citrus. Featured wines by the glass are exclusively Italian, with skilled beverage experts available to guide guests through the extensive 3000-bottle list. 

The Italian tradition of espresso will be served with a selection of imported grounds made exclusively for Casa Don Alfonso’s espresso bar. The blend is slowly smoked using oak, olive and orange woods from the Sorrentine Peninsula and is the basis for coffee classics and seasonal drinks. In addition, buzzy beverages such as the Iced Coffee Shakerato, Spritzy Sorrento and Lavender Honey Mocha grace the menu as well as non-caffeinated Italian cream sodas with flavored syrups. Guests are encouraged to visit the espresso bar for a specialty drink on-the-go with select pastries and fresh-pressed juices also available for purchase.  

Reservations are required and can be made by calling 314.719.1496 or visit OpenTable. In order to comply with the current county curfew regulations, the last reservation seating time at Casa Don Alfonso Friday - Saturday is 10 PM. For guests that prefer to enjoy Casa Don Alfonso from the comfort of their own home, carry-out service will be available during lunch service. The Ritz is located in Clayton 100 Carondelet Plaza.   

In order to maintain proper social distancing and capacity guidelines, reservations are required for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch meal services. In addition to social distancing, the Casa Don Alfonso staff has undergone extensive training on COVID-19 protocols and must wear PPE at all times. Guests will be given single use menus, with the option of downloading digital copies via QR code. Facial coverings are required for all guests when not seated at their table.