Mississippi’s blessed with nice Italian eating places, together with Hattiesburg’s Mario’s
Revealed 1:37 pm Saturday, October 8, 2022
By Kara Kimbrough
Mississippi is legendary world-wide for Southern consolation meals – fried rooster, do-it-yourself biscuits, greens and sky-high meringue pies and banana pudding are only a few of the delicacies vacationers listing as a few of their favourite dishes after they go to our state. Additional south on the Gulf Coast, contemporary seafood beckons those that crave fresh-from-the-gulf shrimp, oysters and fish. Regardless of these well-known objects, much less generally mentioned is the plethora of ethnic eating places representing a mess of cuisines. Italian eating places are on the high of my listing and discovering a superb one shouldn’t be that arduous, even within the Deep South. Final week, I loved Italian meals in a location that conjured up reminiscences of a bygone period. It’s price a detour in the event you’re close to the realm.
However first, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out my first Italian love. I’ve written about Amerigo on a couple of event. It’s a spot at which I’ve dined because it opened over three a long time on Outdated Canton Highway in Jackson. There’s now a location in Flowood, making eating at one in all my favourite eating places much more handy.
There are additionally a plethora of above-average Italian eating places in north Mississippi and even a couple of on the Gulf Coast. However I used to be Hattiesburg final week, so I made a decision to strive the much-heralded Mario’s Italian Restaurant. Pals and even readers have gently chastised me for not getting round to eating there – in actual fact, as one good friend put it: “How will you NOT have gone to Mario’s?”
With that rebuke ringing in my ears, I pulled into the car parking zone of a former Pizza Hut on U.S. 49 simply north of town. Reminiscences of highschool and faculty forays to Pizza Hut for a enjoyable night time out with pals got here flooding again. It’s all the time enjoyable to go to a spot from one’s previous, particularly since so many buildings and eating places of yesteryear are razed to make room for city growth.
As soon as I entered the restaurant, I recalled options of the pizza chain, albeit ones which have been renovated, repainted and refurbished to create a soothing Italian eatery. Nostalgia was quickly obliterated as I perused the prolonged menu crammed with virtually each type of pasta and pizzas, steak, rooster and veal dishes, appetizers loads of soup and salad decisions.
The listing of specialty pasta dishes was virtually mesmerizing, crammed because it was with dishes like tortellini alla pana, fettuccine carbonara, ziti pomodore, spaghetti with selection of sauce or meatballs and sausage arrabiata, to call a couple of. Rooster-based parmigiana, cacciatore, Romano and piccata all sounded interesting, as did shrimp-centric dishes like scampi alla palermo, fettuccine Alfredo and diavolo.
Since I visited at lunch and had a busy afternoon forward, I made a decision to forgo an appetizer, despite the fact that I’d been advised Mario’s spinach dip is heavenly. And, I chosen a dish from the lunch menu. Dishes ($10.99 like rooster alfredo and cacciatore, lasagna, manicotti, ravioli and rooster parmiagiana made it laborious to decide on only one. I settled on spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my private perception that an Italian restaurant is simply pretty much as good as its meatballs.
I wasn’t disillusioned in my selection. Completely-cooked pasta was topped with a thick layer of wealthy sauce highlighted with an ample provide of thick, juicy meatballs. The meal was preceded by a inexperienced salad with do-it-yourself dressing and the star of the meal, a basket of Mario’s well-known do-it-yourself garlic rolls.
The truth that the salad and bread are a part of the lunch particular as a substitute of being offered individually made me add Mario’s to the listing of eating places to which I’ll return.
Mario’s is positioned at 1410 N. thirty first Ave. and 122 Carlisle Dr. in Hattiesburg. The restaurant is closed on Monday. Hours are 11 a.m. – p.m., Tuesday-Saturday and till 3 p.m. on Sunday. Verify their web site for extra info: marioshattiesburg.com.
I encourage you to strive any of the Italian eating places I’ve talked about (e-mail me in the event you’d like a extra detailed listing) however within the occasion you’re eating at house with a penchant for Italian, listed below are two fast and simple dishes that may be stirred up in a rush. Higher but, they embrace substances most of us have available. Bon appetit!
Italian-Flavored Pasta
8-ounce package deal dry pasta of your selection
1-ounce package deal Italian salad dressing combine
½ cup whipping cream
½ stick butter
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cook dinner pasta in keeping with package deal instructions; drain and preserve heat. Lower butter into chunks so it should mix simply. Add remaining substances and toss collectively to mix. Serve sizzling; heat a few minutes within the microwave earlier than serving if substances don’t combine nicely. Recipe doubles simply.
Vegetable Pasta
8 ounces spinach linguini
2 cups whipping cream
2 cups rooster broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup frozen English peas, defrosted till tender and barely heat (can substitute one other favourite vegetable)
Cook dinner linguine in keeping with package deal director, drain, cowl and preserve heat. Mix whipping cream and broth in a pan and convey to a boil. Cut back warmth and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes, being cautious to not scorch. Take away from warmth and add cheese and peas till cheese melts. Use microwave to reheat linguini if it has cooled. Toss with linguine and serve.
