When Veritas was first created in 2004, it was not a restaurant. The Stitt Family intended it to be a supplier of interesting culinary goods and experiences. But not a restaurant.

The shop always provided wine tastings, cooking classes and events. But as time went on, preparing food became central to what Veritas was, especially after Mathis Stitt took over in the kitchen.

Veritas is now a restaurant. One of only 18 included on every edition of the Post Dispatch’s annual list of Top 100 Restaurants in St. Louis. It’s a deeply loved, community focused, extraordinary, Casual Fine Dining Restaurant.

MATHIS STITT Chef / Owner
Mathis’ interest in foods became evident at an early age. He was exposed to a vast assortment of restaurants, from his Uncle Frank’s ‘Highlands Bar and Grill’ to the regional spots his family frequented in all the places they lived.

Mathis was instrumental in developing the unique food concept at his family’s then new Veritas. After affirming his passion for cooking, he enrolled at the New England Culinary Institute to hone his skills. After school, and work at both Sel de la Terre in Boston and The Little Nell in Aspen, he returned to the Veritas kitchen.

Chef Mathis has full responsibility for the Veritas kitchen and its food - from staffing, to creating the menus, to sourcing ingredients, to plating. His commitment to fresh food from local purveyors drives him to create a new menu each week. Mathis’ cooking has gained the attention of many food lovers and of local critics. As Ian Froeb once said, “…watching Stitt and staff cook and plate his complex fare efficiently and precisely in the narrow space remains as thrilling and inevitable as watching Adam Wainwright set up a hitter for the curveball…”

DAVID & STEPHANIE STITT Founders / Owners
David and Stephanie Stitt both grew up in North Alabama. Both had mothers who were dieticians and who valued the dinner table above all. After two kids and many moves, the family landed in St. Louis.

Each place they lived offered enticing culinary experiences - from the spectacular Cleveland West Side Market, to the tamale trucks of Dallas.

But summers and holidays were tied back to Alabama. They always returned with a car packed full of fresh peaches, tomatoes, beans, squash and an ice chest filled with barbecue.

In 2004 David and Stephanie turned their attention to creating a business of their own that would bind them even closer to the St. Louis community and allow them to share their love of the table, and David’s vast knowledge and passion for wine.

CHRIS HOSKINS Partner
Meet Our New Partner!
Chris Hoskins was for many years one of Veritas’ favorite wine purveyors and partners in providing interesting culinary experiences, and in January 2024 Chris became Veritas’ full time Partner. He has taken over the lead role in the dining room and manages general front of house operations.

Chris’ background includes teaching literature at the college level, in addition to decades in the wholesale wine business and in fine casual dining. He brings a wealth of wine knowledge to Veritas, having traveled extensively in Europe, South America, and the U.S. West Coast, and having tasted and worked with some of the greats (including David, of course).

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-CHEF-

Pierre Gabant