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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
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Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
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A Comfortable Place: Thomas Jay's RestaurantBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
"Whatcha hungry for tonight?" asks Thomas J. LaBarbera, owner of Thomas Jay's Restaurant. "Well, I'll tell you. I'm starting with some of those great homemade potato chips," the customer says. LaBarbera hotfoots it to the kitchen, fills a basket and personally delivers them to their table. That's just the way LaBarbera likes it: Personal. He says he likes the concept of doing business on a small, personal scale - a contrast to his thriving offsite catering business that services everything from wedding receptions, private parties and business banquets. The restaurant seats only 60 or so people, but LaBarbera says that was the plan. "It's small because I want it to be small and intimate," LaBarbera said. "People are coming back to family, mom and pop places, and that's what I want. I want them to feel at home." LaBarbera has a flare and food fare that is deliciously Italian. But, he says, with an offering of 23 sandwiches and fabulous favorites like the steak salad, Southwest chicken wrap and Rueben sandwich, he stretches the limits beyond those of a traditional Italian eatery. He says he didn't want an "all-Italian restaurant." He purposely chose not to use his own surname to prevent preconceived notions about his menu. Thomas Jay's seemed to fit, he said, especially since it was a nickname of sorts, and one he was already known by in the restaurant business. LaBarbera started in the catering business two years ago, doing business as Thomas Jay's Catering. He added the restaurant to his holdings because he wanted a place to cater private parties, and because he enjoys the one-on-one approach of day-to-day dealings. "This restaurant is my therapy; catering is my job," said LaBarbera. "When I opened the restaurant in December, I just wanted my own space. Now, I cook, I do it all. It's more fun than I ever even thought." Frank Sinatra sings softly on overhead speakers; there are old photos of Italian icons like Marlon Brando and others. Quaint tables for four are scattered about, and a comfortable full-service bar circles a corner near the kitchen. Tucked away in the corner of a strip mall on Mexico Road between Cave Springs and Jungermann, Thomas Jay's is a jewel. The aroma of Italian tomato sauce makes one's mouth water as it permeates the family-run hideaway. Delicacies like lasagna, eggplant parmesan and good, old-fashioned mostaccioli are slathered in Thomas Jay's famous, special blend of meats and cheeses layered and topped with his own special red sauce. "They're all family recipes with a twist," said LaBarbera. "I guess it was my mother's base recipe, but I added my own touch. I guess you could say I invented my own." He says his mother may argue that her sauce is best, but LaBarbera laughs, saying it is all in good fun. Tops in the Italian category are the spedini bites, featuring marinated chunks of chicken breast, lightly breaded and served with a white wine, lemon butter sauce ($5.50); and lasagna, Thomas Jay's famous special blend of meats and cheeses layered and topped with his own special red sauce. In the traditional American corner is a healthy lighter weight contender: the steak salad - an assembly of mixed greens, tossed with red and yellow peppers, portabella mushrooms and topped with tender medallions of steak. The splendiferous salad is served with balsamic vinaigrette and Thomas Jay's homemade curry dressing ($8.95). The Southwest Chicken Wrap provides an even lighter fare, featuring mixed greens, green peppers, red onions and olives with marinated chicken breast. The collection is then tossed in Thomas Jay's southwest dressing and served with a side of steamed broccoli, cottage cheese, a side salad or homemade chips ($7.25). Then, there is the bacon, barbecue shrimp - a great find for those looking for the unusual. Thomas Jay's Restaurant has it all, LaBarbera says of his extraordinary menu that stretches to nearly six pages - and the pizza is "awesome." "You won't find any white tablecloths here. I wanted to open an Italian Bar and Grill, but it just sort of turned into a restaurant," LaBarbera says. "When I bought it, I gutted the entire inside and remodeled it. You get attached to it when you build it yourself. It's elegant yet comfortable, and casual yet charming. I guess you could say it's cute."
Thomas Jay's Restaurant 4105 Mexico Rd. (between Cave Springs and Jungermann) St. Peters Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; closed Sunday, but available for catered parties, showers and social gatherings. For carryout or delivery, call 636-926-3335 To arrange for offsite catering or a private party, shower or social gathering at Thomas Jay's, call Catering Manager Johnna Putnam at 314-322-8853 |
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A
few more people filter into the already busy restaurant, and the owner
drops what he is doing and heads to greet them.
