Dallas - March 03, 2006

Holy Ravioli

Civello’s Raviolismo

Sure, Mom knows best.

About when to wear makeup (not on your 13th birthday), whom to befriend (ix-nay on strangers bearing andy-cay), and what to eat (vegetables).

But when it comes to home cooking? Eh. (Newsflash, Mom: SpaghettiOs are not a fine Italian delicacy.)

The moms at Civello’s Raviolismo know better. The family-owned business famously supplies local restaurants (like Campisi’s, Prego, and Terilli’s) with handmade ravioli. But — little-known secret — for a few hours each weekday (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), the public can buy the surplus.

The communal menu features up to eight of the store’s 30 varieties (we recommend the nutty pumpkin or crab with roasted garlic), though ricotta and beef with spinach always make the daily cut. You can also choose from favorites such as stuffed artichokes, Italian sausage, lasagnas, and meatballs.

A little cash or a check (no credit cards, please) is all you need to score the perfect home-cooked meal.

Which you’d be hard-pressed to find at home.

Civello’s Raviolismo, 1318 North Peak Street, East Dallas (214-827-2989).