"My wife and I actually stopped by earlier in the day and looked over the brunch and lunch menus, and decided we would have to come back to the Mimosa House to cap off our weekend date. Outdoor seating was our only option, as a private party had already reserved the indoor tables. The weather was decent, as the rain had passed and the temperature was around 72 degrees... Much more tolerable than the 90+degree weather we would have had to endure a few weeks ago. We were very close to asking for a propane space heater, but service was quick so we just got down to the business at hand... Ordering dinner! My wife ordered a Pinot Noir, but something more like a Pinot Grigio was served. No problem--she normally orders that after a meal, but enjoyed the refreshing change. Our private discussion about Red vs. White was interrupted as a gentleman presented himself at our table. Lou welcomed us formally, surveyed us re. our gastronomic preferences, and our tolerance for spicy food. During our short conversation, we learned about his culinary experience, his inside knowledge about Cajun cuisine, and his son 's time in Italy that authenticated the selections on the Vacanza Romano dinner menu. All while Lou was out-of-uniform . After confirming that the lasagna was indeed prepared with two kinds of meat, Lou 's description of the 15-layers of pasta construction made my dinner choice a no-brainer. My wife had a taste for spaghetti, and Lou politely asked permission to put a meatball on top. We decided to add a Caesar salad to balance out the heavier entrees. Lou dismissed himself, but returned within a few minutes--this time wearing a sky-blue Hawaiian shirt, along with a sample plate with Jambalaya on one side, and Gumbo on the other. He wanted to ensure that we could distinguish between a roux made of beef broth reduced with first-fried Andouille sausage... and seafood, versus the rice-based dish with chicken. Between this taste of New Orleans, the salt-crusted focaccia with olive oil and balsamic, and our Ceasar salad, we suspected that we would be taking our entrees to-go. Our entrees arrived with the presentation of both the lasagna and spaghetti almost too beautiful to eat! All of those layers of lasagna sheets were fanned out across the plate, covered with a surprising (for me béchamel sauce. The first forkful had a subtle taste of the sweet-cream base (and--nutmeg? . At least ten layers of al dente pasta, parmesan, romano and the lightest brushing of tomato made this as nice to look at as it was tasty. Overall, I would not have been mad if there was a little more Italian seasoning simmered into the marinara, and a little less béchamel. I am used to a crunchy, broiled mozzarella top and I did miss that. About my wife 's spaghetti--Lou got permission to add meatball, and that he did. Three, almost three-inch round meatballs were balanced on top of a bed of bucatini pasta (looked like pappardelle , lightly tossed in what appeared to be that same lightly-seasoned marinara. Another beautiful presentation, and again, I imagine my spiritual Italian mother saying, Mangia, mangia! . Still, una porzione per mio fratello, non per il mio coniuge . To-go box, please. My wife and I thought that we had finished the course, but the server reminded us that there was still dessert to consider. My wife 's weakness is lemon cake--really lemon anything. I am not normally a desert guy, but one word changed everything--tiramisù. Needless to say, we also took the desserts to-go, with no regrets. Lou came over to check on us once last time, and to get our opinion about our meal and dining experience. We live in the foothills near Kirkwood, 1.5 hours away, but enjoyed ourselves so much, that we have already made plans to return with friends for a birthday celebration. Though he never mentioned it, Lou-Lou Dedier, is the chairman of The Mimosa, Vacanza Romano, and the Undercover Burger Company. Lou, as someone who has run a small business, I tip my hat to you for the great food and enjoyable dining experience. See you soon! M&V Bell Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $100+ Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4"
