Villa Francesco’s has become our go-to for nice dining out occasions in the area. The prices are reasonable, the staff is very friendly, and the food is unbelievably amazing. They never skimp in the amount of seafood they pile onto your plate, and their daily specials are always draw-jopping-drooling-inducing. As usual, we started with bread and olive oil with roasted garlic.
Next came the house salad with the house balsamic vinaigrette.
I ordered the Linguini Pescatore. I almost never order pasta dishes at restaurants because most places overcook the pasta or serve too much pasta in relation to whatever else is being served in with the pasta. Francesco’s is the exception. The pasta is al dente and the seafood is what overwhelms the dish, not the pasta. The Linguini Pescatore comes with shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari. The sauce is a light (truly, it is very light!) marinara sauce that compliments the fish so well without overpowering it. With a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, this dish is my go-to selection. I keep telling myself I need to branch out and try some of the other offerings (there is an orrecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe that I really want to try!!!), but this dish is just SO good that I end up picking it every time.
My dad went for the daily risotto special: Frutti di Mare. As you can see, it is topped with lobster, mussels, clams and calamari with some asparagus mixed in. The risotto was also al dente with a light marinara sauce, and compared to other heavier, cheesier risotto’s this was very light and refreshing but still packed with SO much flavor.
I discovered my calamari was making a face at me . . .
Yesterday morning, Christine and our mom began their 18 hour drive down to Miami for Christine’s summer internship with Burger King Corporate.
Yes, she is the Burger Queen.
Anyway, I am very sad that we will be apart this summer, but I know she will have a blast and impress everyone she meets.