Our Story

Born into the restaurant business, Steve and Jamie Komorek have been working in restaurants since they were 13 years old. Both started working at Slay’s on Hampton – their mother’s family’s restaurant – busing tables and washing dishes, after school. Over the years, the two brothers found their own passion for the business – Jamie in the front of the house and Steve in the kitchen.

And in 1993, after studying under classically trained European chefs in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, Steve approached Jamie about opening their own restaurant in their hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri. Two years later, the brothers opened the doors to Trattoria Marcella.

Steve committed himself to serving authentic Italian food, even furthering his study of Italian cooking at the Istituto Superiore Di Gastronomia in Jesi, Italy. And Jamie devoted himself to offering a superior dining experience and an award-winning wine list. The result was a critically acclaimed success. Since opening, Trattoria Marcella has been heralded by critics and customers alike for its unique Italian soul food, even named as one of the 25 Best Italian Restaurants in America by Thrillist.