After our rather long drive from Palm Beach Traveler Resort to Sunkissed Village RV Resort near The Villages I decided that I’d rather not cook. Taking the recommendation of the resort manager, CC, we called Francesco’s Ristorante.
Pasta Fagioli from Francesco’s Ristorante
Ordering in
We were too tired to think about getting dressed to go out to eat so we opted to order in. And oh boy! Were we ever glad we did!!! Francesco’s runs nightly specials that are awesome. We had missed 3-Course Dinner for 2 Monday at $31.95 and Steak Night Tuesday for $25.95. But we were even luckier that it was Wednesday. Linguini and Lobster Wednesday for $17.95 to be exact. Which at that price comes with soup or salad. Yes please. We decided to order 1 dinner and some appetizers.
Our meal
Calamari Fritti
First we shared a warming bowl of Pasta Fagioli which we followed up with the Calamari Fritti. The soup was rich and delicious with ample Cannellini beans, vegetables, smoky bacon and the traditional ditalini pasta. After devouring our soup we inhaled the golden brown fried calamari served with marinara fra diavlo. The calamari was crisp, nicely seasoned and perfectly cooked.
Our appetizer of Cozze e Vongole married with our Linguini and Lobster entrée
The second appetizer we order to add to our pasta. The Cozze e Vongole was composed of Mussels and Cedar Key clams which were sautéed in garlic, bacon, scallions and a white wine sauce. Since the entrée had shrimp, scallops and a Maine lobster tail sautéed with olive oil, garlic, basil and diced tomatoes with a garlic white wine sauce; it was a marriage made in heaven. We had a seafood festival in a pasta bowl. And we used the garlic knots that accompanied the Cozze e Vongole to sop up all that awesome sauce.
Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza
The Bronx Bomber
The meal was so awesome that we decided to try their stone fired pizza on Saturday night before we left for Savannah. So Steve called Francesco’s Ristorante once again. Their pizzas are 10-inch personal pizzas so we ordered The Bronx Bomber – San Marzano sauce, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, Italian sausage, pecorino cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes – $11. And we also got the BBQ Chicken – Mozzarella, BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, bacon and caramelized onions – $11. And we decided to round out the meal with their Caesar Salad – Fresh crispy Romaine lettuce, croutons, Grape tomatoes, fresh romano cheese tossed with Caesar dressing – $6.50. Now in my book that adds up to $28.50. When Steve went to pay he was told $18 and change. He thought they forgot one of the pizzas. But there was no mistake. It was BOGO Pizza Saturday!!!
Our Pizza Feast
The pizzas and salad were all delicious and you could take the freshness of the ingredients. But the winner of the night was that BBQ Chicken Pizza. Plenty of grilled chicken and sweet caramelized onion. And the luscious BBQ sauce was the crowning glory.
We would most definitely return to Francesco’s Ristorante whenever we are in the area!
