7 Good Things: November 2009
Over the lips, through the gums, look out 417-land, here it comes!
1. We hear great things about The Full Ride ($7.50) at Grad School (434 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield, 417-866-8163). It’s two burger patties with caramelized onions, soft cheese spread, bacon, lettuce and tomato between two buns that are lightly buttered and grilled. “It comes with fries that they twice fry so they are super crispy and then sprinkle them with kosher salt,” the fan says. “It’s the best-tasting burger I have had in Springfield in a long time, and by far the best fries in Springfield.”
2. A staffer loves the escargot appetizer ($8.95) at Nicol's at The Pier (11863 Hwy. 13, Kimberling City, 417-739-4311). The snails are cooked in a garlic-butter sauce and then topped with a pastry crust across the dish. “The pastry soaking up the sauce with the snails is a great combo,” he says.
3. Several people have told us they love the Caesar salad ($5.50) at Ristorante Gilardi’s (820 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-862-6400) “It was amazing,” says one salad-lover. “You can get it with or without anchovies, but I got it with. Salty and refreshing all at once.”
4. The macaroon ($0.85) at The Artisan’s Oven (1832 S. Ingram Mill Rd., Springfield, 417-885-5030) is the best macaroon in Springfield, according to one staffer. “Everything at The Artisan’s Oven is yummy and adorable, but the macaroons are my favorite,” she says. “It’s heavy on the coconut, light on the cookie. And the browned toasted edges are crunchy and chewy at the same time. So decadent!”
5. The almond-crusted tilapia ($16.95) on the fall and winter menu at Houlihan’s (2431 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-862-7777) is one staffer’s new favorite entrée. “As a rule, I love nut-crusted proteins,” she says.”But this one has an extra-crunchy crust and comes with grilled asparagus, a really light sauce and fresh blueberries, blackberries and strawberries.”
6. We hear good things about the Tampico ($15.49) at Cantina Laredo (1001 Branson Landing Blvd., Branson, 417-334-6062). It’s a chicken entrée topped with artichoke hearts, mushrooms and red bell peppers. “The sour cream–poblano sauce on the chicken is amazing,” says a diner who recently fell in love with the dish.
7. The bread pudding ($6) dessert at Touch (1620 E. Republic Rd., Springfield, 417-823-8383) is getting rave reviews. It comes in a deep bowl with warm vanilla-rum sauce. It’s a warming and delicious treat in the winter, according to a fan.
7 Good Things is chosen by the editors of 417 Magazine as a service to readers. We’ve tried everything on this list, and we like it. To send us your 7 Good Things suggestions, click Contact on 417mag.com and then submit a letter to the editor.
