A historic corner of The Hill has a new tenant. Marconi Mercato, which combines an Italian market, a cafe counter, a bar and a full restaurant, began operating at 2030 Marconi Avenue, at the corner of Marconi and Wilson, with market hours starting Monday, Nov. 11, according to St. Louis Magazine.
The building is familiar to generations of Hill visitors as the former home of Amighetti’s. That bakery and sandwich shop now operates a few blocks south at 5390 Southwest Avenue, where it reopened in early 2023 in the former Hanneke Hardware building.
Who is behind it
Marconi Mercato is a partnership of Joe Smugala, Carlos Hernandez and Brian McBride. Smugala and Hernandez also run Collina Eatery on Macklind Avenue. St. Louis Magazine reported that chef Mario Sanfillipo, previously of LoRusso’s Cucina, is sharing kitchen duties with Hernandez.
The owners held on to much of the building’s character, including its hardwood floors, architectural details and vintage shelving.
Market up front, dining in back
The space is laid out in three parts. The front market has a coffee bar, a pastry case, a butcher counter run with Kenrick’s Meats & Catering, and shelves of Italian groceries. Three bakeries supply the bread: Marconi Bakery, Pete’s Italian Baking Company and Union Loafers. The gelato is made by Gelato Di Riso. A middle room offers tables and a bar, and the main dining room is at the back.
The restaurant menu leans on regional Italian cooking and cicchetti, or small plates. Dishes described at opening included focaccia with whipped basil butter, fried artichokes with ricotta, bucatini cacio e pepe, branzino piccata and a chocolate olive oil cake. Pasta is sourced from Midwest Pasta Company, and the bar pours spritzes and other Italian-leaning cocktails along with beer, wine and mocktails.
Planning a visit
The market opens early for coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and the restaurant and bar open at 11 a.m. Check the restaurant’s website for current hours before you go.
For more on the neighborhood’s past, see our History of The Hill timeline.
Sources: St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Magazine, Marconi Mercato (website).
