Pasta Rustico at Nino’s
A classic, filling, rich dish at Nino’s was just what was in store on a rainy afternoon in Baton Rouge. The Pasta Rustico had so much depth and earthiness in its flavors. The freshly made, tubed pasta was covered in creamy, delectable mushroom sauce. The extra sprinkles of Parmesan and lightly dressed arugula over the top of the dish added salinity and green freshness.
While the dish has an option of adding protein, the pasta and accompanying sauce is dense enough to stand alone. But, if needing a bit of something extra, I would recommend the chicken.
Nino’s, 7512 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge (Margaret DeLaney, health coordinator)
Fried chicken buffet at Rascal’s
It’s hard to beat a good Cajun buffet. One price and unlimited servings? Sign me up. Faced with piles of rice dressing, creamy red beans and heaps of golden fried chicken, I expected to leave happy and perhaps a little overfull — but what I got actually blew my mind a little bit.
The rice dressing was among the best I’d ever had, and the red beans and rice had an inimitable flavor that made me want to meet the chef. The fried chicken, which is offered on the buffet on Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays, was tender and crispy and delectably seasoned, and somehow avoided greasiness. I did go back for a medley of sides, including green beans, corn and mashed potatoes, intending to try a bite of each — but ate most of the plate.
Dessert was the same story. The peach cobbler and banana pudding on offer this Saturday night has been on my mind ever since, and I already can’t wait for my next visit. If you give Rascal’s a try, you’ll probably end up feeling the same way…