Photo by David Carson (Post-Dispatch)
Pastaria
The honors are starting to pile up for Pastaria executive chef Ashley Shelton. Last year, the influential dining website Eater named her one of its Young Guns, an award that honors chefs and other industry professionals nationwide who are “leading the charge for development and progress while making a mark in their respective fields.” Also last year, she was my pick from the restaurant scene for Go! Magazine’s annual Rising Stars issue. As her boss, Gerard Craft, told me, “Ashley has an unlimited amount of energy and an incredible attitude paired with it, which is almost impossible to find in young chefs.” Now, she is a semifinalist for “Rising Star Chef of the Year” at this year’s prestigious James Beard Awards. Shelton’s future as a chef seems limitless, but you needn’t wait to experience her skills. Visit Pastaria, where she oversees the menu of wood-fired pizzas and pastas both rustic and elegant.
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
Last year's ranking: No. 10
Opened: 2012
Must order: Bucatini all’Amatriciana ($16.25)