We're in the heart of tomato season, which also means the heart of tomato sauce season. There is a beauty in making one's own marinara or Sunday gravy; however, time and circumstances can get in the way. Here are some of Richmond's best alternatives to homemade sauce.
Italian Kitchen West's Pepperoni (pictured)
If the traditional red meat sauce is comfort food, then the pepperoni sauce is like donning slippers and a robe. The heavy tomato, beef and garlic suace comes to life with the addition of pungent sautéed pepperoni. 8115 W. Broad St., 270-6350
Bistro 27's Spiced Tomato
People make the mistake of focusing on the seafood in the Fettuccine di Mare. The magic lies in the essence of the sea's infusion with crushed red pepper and simple marinara. 27 W. Broad St., 780-0086
Mamma 'Zu's Amatriciana
Salt, spice, richness and acid create the ideal balance in a dish. The Amatriciana sauce accomplishes that balance with onions, red pepper, pancetta and Parmesan cheese, accented nicely by San Marzano tomatoes. 501 S. Pine St., 788-4205
Sapori's Bolognese
Thick and hearty, this sauce is like a blanket in the winter and an accent in the summer. Strong beef notes, studded with peas and carrots, elevate a classic Bolognese to a "stick to your ribs" masterpiece. 3513 Festival Park Plaza, Chester, 425-4628
Portico's Vodka with Peperoncini
As unlikely as it would be to describe a dish as both creamy and clean, this vodka sauce pulls it off. The addition of peperoncini (Tuscan peppers) provides the distinct edge that keeps the sauce from becoming too heavy. 12506 River Road, 784-4800
