World-trotter enjoys Italian fare at Covino’s July 2006 - Barbara, Lisa and Cindy |
|
|
|
|
|
Anita’s enthusiasm for living life to its fullest is immediately evident in the way she shared her story with us. Of Indian heritage, Anita was actually born and reared in Africa (Lusaka, Zambia), ultimately found herself in Oklahoma completing her dental degree, and then married Deepak, a native of Canada. What a worldly life she has led! In addition to her successful practice, she is a talented artist and mother of two. Anita is also a vegetarian, which posed no problem for us at Covino’s because the menu offers sumptuous fare for every persuasion. Covino’s is a neighborhood spot that locals have enjoyed since 1990. Legendary for welcoming guests to bring their own bottles of wine, this cozy little place feels like an extension of your own kitchen. We indoctrinate the dentist to the Divas’ way quickly by ordering three starters: Fried Calamari, Pasta Fagioli (macaroni and bean soup), and Garlic Cheese Bread with Fresh Tomato. The crunchy morsels of calamari are tender and plentiful for sharing. Rich chicken stock is the base for the soup, which has the right balance of pasta, beans, and vegetables. We agree this soup would make a lovely lunch with an order of the cheese bread. And speaking of the cheese bread, “Delizioso!” Soft Italian bread is topped with a garlic spread, mozzarella cheese, and fresh, Roma tomato slices then baked just until the cheese melts and the bread is warmed. Anita remarks, “I thought it would be more like bruschetta topped with chopped tomatoes and fresh basil, but this is totally different. It’s softer and garlicky. It’s one of the better cheese breads I’ve had, actually.” Before filling up on the bread, we order our entrées. Barbara chooses lasagna with meat sauce – her personal benchmark dish for judging the quality of food at an Italian restaurant. Cindy opts for the Manicotti, tubular pasta stuffed with a ricotta cheese mixture then topped with a meatless red sauce. All pasta and specialty dishes are served with bread and a dinner salad with creamy Italian dressing. When Anita inquires as to what pasta dishes on the menu are made without meat, the helpful wait staff quickly points out the items and also mentions, that although not printed on the menu, Pasta Primavera can be made to order with a choice of pasta, vegetables, and sauce. Anita orders the Pasta Primavera with mixed vegetables and garlic butter sauce. Besides pasta, Covino’s offers two kinds of pizza – New York Style or Deep Dish – as well as Calzone and Stromboli. Lisa decides we need to try the New York Style pizza; after all, it’s a Covino’s specialty that has diners lined up out the door on any given Friday or Saturday night. Once our food arrives, we wait for Barbara to have her first taste of lasagna. She gives us the thumbs-up sign. “It tastes like lasagna you would make at home with a good distribution of all the components. It’s not so thick with ricotta filling that it’s all cheese and no sauce – or conversely no cheese and all sauce. And I really like their red sauce because it isn’t sweet. Typically you add a little sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes, but some restaurants put in more than they should and I really don’t like it – it masks the tastes of the tomatoes too much.” Lisa concurs, then adds, “It tastes like they use this same sauce on the pizza ... and it is perfect!” Cindy says, “The manicotti is also delicious. And look at all the vegetables in the Pasta Primavera ... zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, snow peas, and mushrooms.” Anita adds, “It’s not heavy at all and very different from what I’ve had in other restaurants. Usually they prepare it just one way and that’s how they serve it to you. But here, I had a choice of what I wanted in it.” Glancing over her plate she adds, “Even though I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian, I have plenty to eat!” For dessert we choose Tiramisu, Cheesecake, Cannoli, and Cappuccino Pie. Tiramisu is an airy blend of sponge cake or ladyfingers dipped in a coffee/marsala mixture, then layered with mascarpone cheese and grated chocolate, dusted with more chocolate on top. The New York Style White Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake is dense yet creamy; and even with the flavors of the white chocolate and raspberry added, you can still taste the cream cheese! Cannoli are tubular pastry shells that have been deep fried then filled with a sweetened filling of whipped ricotta mixed with bits of chocolate. Cappuccino Pie, a Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream creation, is a frozen pie with a chocolate cookie crumb crust with coffee/chocolate flavored ice cream with more chocolate on top. Each dessert is stellar, prompting Anita to say, “Make sure to tell your readers to definitely save room for dessert!” What? A dentist recommending sweets? That is high praise indeed. Covino’s Pizza & Pasta Guest Diva
About the Divas A word from the Divas. Our restaurant visits are unannounced and all expenses are paid by Plano Profile. Restaurant selection is at our whim and not in any way related to advertising.
|
|
|
|
|
Wishbone Grpahics http://www.wishbonegraphics.com/ |
Over a hundred women attended the Profile’s Women in Business luncheon in May. Two prize drawings were conducted, one of which was to be our Guest Diva for July. The winner was Anita Madhav, D.D.S. – but it was the Divas who felt like the ultimate winners after our delightful lunch with her at Covino’s! 
Hats off this month to our Guest Diva Anita Madhav, D.D.S. The impressive growth of her dental practice, which is currently located on the corner of Coit and Hedgcoxe, has necessitated a move to a larger facility (at Preston and Hedgcoxe) in the fall. Uniquely as a team, the staff speaks nine languages ... including the universal language of warm smiles! 