Delicious

In 1963 Tom Ruggeri moved to Dallas from New Jersey to help with his family’s business, Mario’s. When it closed 20 years later, Ruggeri took the top chef and the recipes with him and opened Ruggeri’s. The menu is composed of 27 years worth of authentic recipes. “I’ve known these people my whole life,” Ruggeri says of his patrons. The Preston Hollow restaurant makes its own ricotta cheese daily, and offers New York style northern- and southern-Italian recipes. The cioppinno stew literally is made up of all the fish in the pot, the stuffed shrimp with fresh pasta is a patron favorite, which almost leaves little room for dessert. However, Ruggeri says his zabaione, fresh mixed berries topped with Marsala wine and cream mousse, is light yet sweetly satisfying. Ruggeri is readying his three-course Valentine’s Day menu, so make your reservations now. Don’t worry — the restaurant’s phone number goes straight to Ruggeri’s mobile phone, so he’s always on call. “Sometimes I answer the phone at night to take down reservations, and I have to hop out of the shower,” he laughs. “Nobody ever answers this phone except me.” —Monica S. Nagy

RUGGERI’S 5950 Royal 214.750.0111 ruggerisrestaurant.com

AMBIANCE: WARM

PRICE RANGE: $16.95–$39.95

DID YOU KNOW?

RUGGERI’S IN PRESTON HOLLOW ISNO LONGER AFFILIATEDWITH RUGGERI’SITALIAN KITCHEN INFAR NORTH DALLAS.

Left:Cioppinno, (Italian fisherman stew) is a deep sea combination of shrimp, scallops, clams, oysters, calamari, mussels and fish in a spicy marinara sauce for $24.95. Above: Jumbo shirmp stuffed with fresh lump crabmeat and topped with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce for $24.95.

Momo Italian Kitchen is a family owned and operated restaurant since 1986. We feature traditional Italian food made from scratch. We are an BYOB establishment. Check us out at www.momoitaliankitchen.com

8989 Forest Lane Suite 130, Dallas 75243 972.234.6800 www.momoitaliankitchen.com

This hot spot is complete with a grand patio for a Torchy’sinspired picnic. Have a taco (or four!), then wash it down with a specialty cocktail from our Firewater Menu.

The lemon-cinnamon panna cotta with orange-blueberry compote is worth saving room for.

5959Royal, Suite 707 214.739.5959 princiitalia.com

If you go to Sevy’s for anything, go for the crème brulee. It comes with one ramekin of vanilla and one of decadent chocolate to satisfy either side of your palate.

8201 Preston 214.265.7389 sevys.com

Like rice pudding? You’ll love the kheer badami, a traditional Indian rice pudding made with raisins and nuts. 12817 Preston, Suite 105 972.392.0190 indiapalacedallas.com

FOOD AND WINE ONLINE Visit prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/dining

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5600 SMU Blvd, Suite 102 972.993.TACO (8226) torchystacos.com

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