MadTomato Italian Kitchen: Traditional Rustic Italian Fare

While many Italian restaurants try to bring a taste of traditional Italian cuisine to their dishes, few truly succeed in translating the beauty of family recipes onto our plates. Mad Tomato Italian Kitchen accomplishes both. Head chef Vito Racanelli's ancestors, all native Italians, inspired this restaurant's delicious flavors with the freshest and purest ingredients from local farms in the St. Louis area. Their motto says it all: "Eat fresh, support local [and] build upon the tradition of providing good food and good times"

While Mad Tomato is rooted in traditional Italian customs, it delivers fantastically tasty entrées. The array of dishes on its extensive menu include some fan favorites, with appetizers like Hunter's Egg with a farm fresh egg, white beans, pancetta, and polenta, as well as bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, eggplant, and ricotta cheese on top of a bed of arugula. For the main course, the pomodoro pizza hits the spot, with fresh tomato sauce made with chilis and roasted garlic topped with a thin coat of ricotta cheese. Another favorite entrée is Grandma's special recipe of pork-rib ragu, with homemade fettuccine and light cheese, or rabbit ragu, served with fava beans and roasted carrots. Finally, the orange flavored cannoli or the peach crostata, filled with seasonal fruits and a scoop of blackberry ice cream, tops off the night right.

While Mad Tomato is commended for its wonderful food, it also has a great atmosphere. Its casual yet upscale environment as well as the stocked wine bar and pleasant service gives the restaurant a warm and comfortable feeling. Mad Tomato is no stranger to public praise. Reviewed by publications like St. Louis Magazine, Feast Magazine and Sauce Magazine, Mad Tomato Italian Kitchen creates a fun and relaxed dining experience that allows diners to sit back and truly enjoy their meals.