Arnoldi’s Lasagna

Lasagna is a perfect meal for this time of year when the nights are supposed to be long and chilly. It’s warm, highly filling, and full of carbs, which makes going to bed right after dinner the only thing you’ll want to do.

I was in the mood for the Italian dish recently and so headed over to Arnoldi’s on Olive and Cota streets to meet some friends and stuff my cake-hole with alternating layers of pasta sheets filled with tomato sauce, cheese, and meat. Although I’d eaten at Arnoldi’s a handful of times before, I had never ordered lasagne until this night. I sat outside on the patio, warmed by heat lamps and a fire, and, nearly drooling in anticipation, waited for my meal to arrive. Finally the waiter put my plate in front of me; on it was piece of lasagne only and it was nearly the size of my face.

After the first fork full I knew I had chosen well. The sauce was the right amount of tomato tang, the cheese was plentiful, but not overly dominant, the meat sauce was perfectly seasoned. Taken all together, the lasagne was one of the best I’ve ever had.

I gobbled my meal down like someone was about to steal if from me. Still, I could only eat half, and so got the rest packed up to go. I made it home just as the food coma took hold, plopped into bed, and fell asleep with visions of lasagna dancing in my head.

The Details: Arnoldi’s Cafe is located at 600 Olive Street. Call 962-5394 or see www.arnoldis.com.