By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor

Last week I was considering some restaurant choices and ran across Monjuni’s at 7601 Youree Drive, Shreveport. I realized I had not been to Monjuni’s in a very long time, in fact, it was when they had a location on Benton Road, way too long ago, as I found out after eating at the Youree Drive location last week.

Monjuni’s does not have a huge menu, as some Italian restaurants tend to have, which makes me happy. I prefer less choices all done well than more choices where the quality lacks consistency.

The Monjuni’s menu has appetizers: some nice salad choices, Po Boys and their famous Muffalettas. Many of these look perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

I ordered the Cajun Shrimp Toast to start us. It had great flavor, and a bite that requires your drink to be full when you eat it. The spice was not overwhelming at all, just enough to make the ‘Cajun’ name accurate.

My daughter went with the spaghetti, choosing to not add the meatball. Sadly, I did not add it anyway, just to try it myself. She enjoyed her meal and had plenty for lunch the next day. The few bites I got were very enjoyable. I don’t normally prefer sauce on the sweeter side, but Monjuni’s original recipe changed my mind on sweet sauce.

I do love a good Alfredo sauce, so the Shrimp Aurora called my name the moment I saw it on the menu. This dish features Alfredo sauce mixed with the original sauce served over thin spaghetti with boiled gulf shrimp. It’s then covered in cheese and twice baked. It was fabulous. I had to make myself stop eating or risk having to take a nap in the parking lot.

I promised my other daughter leftovers since she couldn’t join us at the restaurant. I think she enjoyed it more than I did, even heated up later that night.

Every full Italian meal must end with dessert, right? At least that’s what I told my daughter at the table, so I let her decide on which one. She chose Italian cream cake, which seemed a fitting choice. Freshly-made desserts are always the best, and this Italian crème cake did not disappoint. There was none left to take home.

I can see myself at Monjuni’s again, with an eye on trying their Muffaletta, which I know has had the reputation as one of the best around. That will probably be a lunch choice. The Aurora was so good, that will always be my pick for dinner.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net