7 Good Things

1. Kai After Dark (306 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield, 417-832-0077) is a feast for the eyes, and so is much of the restaurant’s food. A staffer’s current favorite is the tuna tower appetizer ($12). From top to bottom, it has perfectly packed layers of cream cheese, mango, avocado and raw tuna that had been marinated in something that involved both sesame oil and fresh mint. It is a divine flavor combination, and it’s served with wonton chips that had been encrusted with spicy seasoning.

2. One friend admits that she balked at the name of the Thai-rito ($10.95), an entrée at Tong’s Thai Restaurant (3454 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-5280). Thai plus a burrito? She’s happy to say you shouldn’t judge a spicy lemongrass dish by its name. It was hot and hearty—a tortilla filled with chicken, zucchini and other veggies, and a spicy lemongrass sauce.

3. A 417 Magazine staffer is raving about the General Tso’s chicken ($11.95) at 5 Spice China Grill (2058 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-799-0215). “It’s without a doubt the best General chicken I’ve ever had at any Chinese restaurant, ever,” she says. “They got the sauce just right. It’s wonderfully rich and complex.”

4. “Yum, double yum, scrumptious.” That’s the succinct review of the ham and cheese roll and the mushroom and spinach roll from LJ’s Bistro (920 S. Springfield Ave., Bolivar, 417-777-6434). The savory pastries make a sinfully good breakfast, and they are big enough to share ($2.25 each).

5. The mango pudding at the Gem of India (211 W. Battlefield, Springfield, 417-886-6475). The most economical way to excite your palate at this Indian restaurant is to partake of the buffet ($8.95), so you can try all the flavors without committing to any one thing. The mango pudding is a subtle and sweet way to end it.

6. For salty sustenance in a Styrofoam bowl, we love the breakfast skillet ($7.49, served only on Saturdays) at Silver Dollar City (399 Indian Point Rd., Branson). The scrambled eggs, chunks of country ham, onions, peppers and potatoes are cooked in an enormous skillet, succotash-style. It’s a hearty way to start a day of rollercoasting.

7. A pizza fan has gone on the record to express his love for the avocado pizza ($10.75 for a 9-inch pizza,) at Cravin’ Pizza (3641 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-890-8255). The thin-crust pie has Canadian bacon and is topped with thick slices of fresh avocado.

7 Good Things is chosen by the editors of 417 Magazine as a service to readers. We’ve tried everything on this list, and we like it. Click Dining Feedback on 417mag.com to send us your 7 Good Things suggestions. Just roll over 417 Dining to get started.