The Hill is the Italian-American neighbourhood of St Louis — a few square blocks of small brick houses south of Forest Park, settled by immigrants from northern Italy in the late 19th century to work the nearby clay mines and brickyards. The fire hydrants are painted in the colours of the Italian flag, the streets are named for old families, and the smell of bread and garlic carries on the air.
It remains a genuine community rather than a tourist trap, even as some of the older businesses give way to younger restaurateurs. Anchored by family restaurants like Charlie Gitto's, Dominic's, and Bartolino's, plus the indispensable Adriana's at lunchtime for the sandwiches. Baseball legend Yogi Berra grew up here; Joe Garagiola was a childhood friend on the same block.