Holiday party season is close, and a strip of Airline Highway in Prairieville has a candidate worth knowing about. Stefano's Authentic Italian, a locally owned restaurant in Suite L at 17188 Airline Hwy., builds its menu around homemade recipes passed down through generations.

Start with the Fried Ravioli

The appetizer list leans cheesy. Fried ravioli filled with cheese and spinach come topped with a pesto ricotta sauce for $12, and goat cheese balls arrive lightly fried with a seasonal dipping sauce. Stef's Cheesy Bread is brushed with garlic butter and herbs, with a spinach and artichoke version for a few dollars more.

Pastas With Gulf Shrimp

Shrimp shows up across the entrees. Shrimp Emilia pairs five-cheese tortellini with jumbo Gulf shrimp, mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes in a cream sauce. Shrimp Jenny brings some heat, tossing shrimp and mushrooms in spicy alfredo with bowtie noodles, and the jumbo shrimp risotto is made with Parish Rice, which the menu bills as LSU's low-glycemic rice.

Classic fans have Mama's Lasagna, three homemade meatballs over spaghetti, chicken or veal parmesan and chicken marsala. Every pizza on the list, from the Little Italy with meatballs and sausage to a shrimp scampi pie, can be turned into a calzone at the same price.

Book the Table, or the Food

Stefano's takes private parties and group reservations for birthdays, rehearsal dinners, showers, corporate gatherings and holiday parties. Its catering runs pick-up, delivery or fully staffed service, with lasagna, chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti with meatballs among the crowd favorites.

Plan Your Visit

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Order online through stefanosla.com or call (225) 390-2702 to ask about a party. Save room for cannoli or tiramisu.

Photo courtesy of Stefano's Authentic Italian.