Sharkey’s Landing: Great River Spot Comes To St. Peters
By Mary Ann O'Toole Holley

A lot of restaurants have made their way in and out of the attractive location in Caravan Corners mall on Mexico Road, but now that Sharky’s Landing has quite literally come ashore at its St. Peters location, its bound to be a long-term mooring.

Sharky’s Landing has had a loyal following for five years, and most don’t even know it yet. The commodious culinary hotspot nearly mirrors its Mississippi River counterpart, sans the water.

“Sharky’s Cove (on the river) is seasonal, primarily,” said owner John Biondo of the flagship two-story floating restaurant tucked away along the waters of the river where boaters and yacht club friends gather regularly. “It’s a destination in summer, and though we’re still open on the river on weekends, I figured that many of our ‘summer people’ live in the St. Peters area, and this gives them someplace to go in winter.”

Biondo says in the two weeks that he has been open, he’s seen a lot of folks from the river, and even more new faces.

“The reception we’ve received in St. Peters has been fabulous,” Biondo said. “I know there have been a lot of restaurants here at this location, but we’re not one of those restaurants that pass in the night. We already have a five-year reputation, and I think we’re going to make a big hit here.”

Steaks, seafood, pizza and pasta are all part of the new Sharky’s Landing in St. Peters. All sauces and soups are homemade and prepared fresh daily, and all foods are cooked to perfection.

Biondo brings his Sicilian specialties, but Chef Chad Brewer comes onshore from Sharky’s Cove to bring his sought after menu selections.

Whether it’s lunch, dinner or a private meeting of 10, Sharky’s Landing is a neighborly place, tucked in at the end of Caravan Corners where wait staff treats you like part of the family and cooking is more than opening cans and nuking cannelloni.

“It’s definitely a restaurant with an Italian flavor, with lots of other choices,” Biondo said.

Appetizers like the tequila lime shrimp have a taste of their own, featuring jumbo shrimp sautéed in tequila lime sauce and served over herb rice ($6.99), Biondo said. Shrimp Diablo has its own bite with a mild Cajun flavor, achieved by sautéing jumbo shrimp with a blend of bell peppers in a mild Cajun sauce and served over a bed of pasta ($7.50).

To live up to its name, Sharky’s serves shark bites, featuring juicy shark cut in bite sized pieces and sautéed in lemon butter sauce ($7.99)

Biondo’s lemon butter garlic wings are big sellers, and come in a full pound size served with parmesan cheese ($6.99), but even the simpler things, like chicken strips are hand breaded with a unique breading only found at Sharky’s Landing.

“I think I’m well known for the lemon butter garlic wings, but our shrimp dishes stand out,” Biondo said.

Their steak selections are suitable for everyone. There’s even a children’s menu with a small child’s steak included with the toasted ravioli or other child-friendly entrees.

Some recipes were handed down from Biondo’s family. Others, like the lagosteno supreme — fettuccini noodles with shrimp and scallops prepared in a pesto Alfredo sauce, topped with a 4- to 5-ounce lobster tail ($15.99) — are Chef Brewer’s creations.

Sharky’s extensive menu stretches to five full pages and features everything from their homemade soups and salads, to pizza and pasta, to beef, seafood, veal and delectable sandwiches.

“Chad has been a huge help to me, both in developing the menu and helping to get the new restaurant going,” Biondo said.

It’s like a family at Sharky’s Landing, between the friendly wait staff or the special attention given by Assistant Manager Cindra Smith, Biondo said.

Sharky’s has plenty to offer in a comfortable tri-level environment with a décor that takes one back to nautical times even when the snow is falling.

Sharky’s opens at 11 a.m. daily, seven days a week. To find Sharky’s Landing, take the Cave Springs exit and head west on Mexico Road about one-tenth of a mile. Look for Caravan Corners strip mall and Sharky’s Landing (on the left) at 3979 Mexico Rd. in St. Peters. For more information, reservations or to book their banquet space, call 636-441-8300.