Traveling Local

Nothing like Italian Food in Boston’s North End.  Tourists come from all over. For the last few weeks I have been wanting diner there. We decided to go now, in July, with the idea of beating the crowds for the feasts in August. The food is always worth the trip and if you are in the right place on the right night, diner comes with some extra entertainment. 

We tried out the Villa Francesca Restaurant for the first time.  For us it turned out to be the right night as we unknowingly were in for an exciting little show.  Ann ordered the special, a pasta dish coated with a Parmesan type of cheese, a Pecorino Siciliano I think.  Sounds simple enough.  The surprise was how they made it.

After my meal was placed on the table, they carted out a cheese wheel.  Our immediate reaction was some type of cheese appetizer. Little did we know.  The chef came out, poured some brandy into a metal cup, and ignited it with a blow torch.  Fettuccini and mushrooms were dropped into the cheese wheel and the brandy flambe was poured in.  Cucinare alla fiamma!! Using a set of metal utensils, our chef mixed the pasta with the cheese in sort of an Alfredo-like mix.

Diner was great and we had an even better time.  The 5 or so minutes of the flambe caused some excitement for everyone in the restaurant. As we were out to dinner and not a photo shoot, the shot is taken with an iPhone.  But you have to seize the moment and use what you have sometimes.  A little photoshop work helps emphasize the action.  What I like about the flambe shot is the flames and the chef are doing the same dance.

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