My husband and I love Westport. Not the early morning (or is that late night?) version of Westport, but the Saturday afternoon, or Tuesday evening, version of Westport. It has charm. It has character. It has great, great food. This particular occasion we decided to try one of Westport’s newest eateries, The Boot. A new concept from the owners of the Westport Café & Bar, The Boot is decidedly Italian. From pizza to pasta and meatballs to sausage, it offers something for everyone.

As we waited for our friends to arrive on this Tuesday night, I perused the cocktail menu. Don’t mind if I do, thank you very much. But which of these gems did I want to try? I needed assistance. Thank goodness our waiter was on his game. He suggested a highball – No. 3, 4 or 5. Number three had absinthe in it. I’ve never actually tried absinthe but it sounds intimidating and it was a Tuesday night. I better keep on looking. The number four looked intriguing. Bisongrass vodka mixed with cinnamon-pepper syrup, cream and fizz. I like fizz. I asked the waiter if the pepper syrup was like bloody mary pepper and he assured me not. In fact he said, this drink is like an “alcoholic horchata.” Ding, ding, ding! That’s all he had to say. I was sold. Number four it is. And yes, it was exactly like an alcoholic horchata…or maybe an alcoholic iced chai tea latte for those of you who have never had a horchata. In any case, it was good and if it hadn’t been a Tuesday night I definitely would have had more than one.

Our friends arrived and we got down to business. It was time to start eating. Something on the menu had been staring at me since we got there. Three words: “Short Rib Ravioli.” I must try it. I have read reviews of this dish that said it’s amazing so like my friend, Emily Farris, of Feed Me KC would say, I wanted to “put it in my mouth!” And I’m really glad I did. Five delicious little pillows of ravioli arrived filled with finely chopped short ribs and coated in a delicate tomato sauce. It was heaven. We each got one (and a quarter) – have to keep it even – and it was the perfect way to start off the meal.

Now it was time to decide on the main course. Personally, I wish every restaurant in the world had a tasting menu. Everything looked wonderful. I want to try a bite of it all. It was literally impossible for me to decide. I was torn between two choices, pizza or risotto. Our trusty waiter came to the rescue. “Risotto,” he directed. “Definitely the risotto.” I kind of have a thing for risotto. It’s rice, it’s cheese, you can jazz it up with all sorts of things. Basically, it’s delicious. This risotto was no exception. Made with porcini mushrooms, La Quiceria Prosciutto and Grana Padano; I was in heaven. The rest of my group had the Fusili Carbonara, the Meatball Sub and Pappadelle (minus the squid but added meatballs). I didn’t hear any complaints so I’m assuming everyone was pleased with their meal. I know I was.

The Boot is one place I’ll definitely choose again. Maybe, I’ll try the pizza next time.

~Krista