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Comments5 Best Schmancy Stuffed Pastas
Ravioli and tortellini, filled to capacity with every kind of yummy we can think of. Try them for yourself, and you’ll see what we mean.
Stuffed pastas, although heralded as the yummiest by their fans, are often the red-headed stepchildren of the restaurant menu. Sometimes they are relegated to the kids’ menu, or served with simple ingredients for people who aren’t adventurous diners, or even toasted to satiate the bar-food-loving crowd. Kind of like spaghetti, it’s the people’s pasta, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But when done right, a schmancy stuffed pasta is truly decadent. In 417-land, we have several restaurants that have taken the lowly ravioli and tortellini to new levels. Read on, and learn where you can find stuffed pastas at their finest.
1. Seafood Ravioli
Cost: $16.50
Where to Get It: Bruno’s Il Ristorante, 416 South Ave., Springfield, 417-688-0007, brunos-restaurant.net
What’s Inside: Lobster, shrimp and scallops baked inside large ravioli and served with a seafood bisque sauce.
Why We Love It: Because we feel like insiders when we order it. Bruno’s seafood ravioli is not on the menu; it’s simply a perpetual house special. It’s best enjoyed at Bruno’s bar on Art Walk night (another well-kept secret) with a delicious white wine or something more adventurous from the bar.—Matt and Nichole Lemmon
2. Veal Ravioli
Cost: $18.95
Where to Get It: Ristorante Gilardi’s, 820 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-862-6400, gilardis.com
Why We Love It: The oh-my-god factor is high here. Between the rich flavor of the veal and the decadent sinfulness of the creamy mushroom sauce, these puppies are irresistible. And they are topped with chopped, meaty, flavorful portobello mushrooms. On a recent trip to Gilardi’s, our server told us the ravioli of the day was veal, and I almost clapped my hands with joy. Notable tip: As blasphemous as it may seem, these things are great for breakfast the next day. Even when they’re cold. No joke.
3. Lobster Ravioli
Cost: $7.75
Where to Get It: Touch, 1620 E. Republic Rd., 417-823-8383, touch-restaurant.com
Why We Love It: These three large raviolis on the appetizer menu at Touch have a buttery richness that is a perfect compliment to their lobster and cheese filling. And even though a simple, creamy white pasta sauce might have been good enough on these pockets of delight, Touch goes 10 steps higher and tops them with lobster bisque. ’Nuff said.
4. Tortellini al Proscuitto
Cost: $16
Where to Get It: Avanzare, 1908 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-567-3463, avanzareitaliandining.com
Why We Love It: Few things say “Italian yumminess” better than prosciutto, and that ingredient is a star in this dish. The pasta is stuffed with ricotta cheese and served in a creamy sauce with peas, prosciutto, mushrooms and onions.
5. Tortellini Gorgonzola
Cost: $8.99
Where to Get It: Bambino’s Café, 1141 E. Delmar St., Springfield, 417-862-9999, bambinoscafe.com
Why We Love It: At only $8.99, this is one of the least expensive of the schmnacy stuffed pastas, but it holds its own against the big dogs. The cheese-filled pasta is cooked in a gorgonzola sauce and served with grilled chicken and crunchy broccoli. Plus, the bargain is even better when you consider the amount of food you get. You can fill up at dinner and have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Sounds like a deal.
