Francesca's on Chestnut

On Friday night we had a terrific meal at the new Francesca's on Chestnut. We were fortunate enough to be served a few new items not typically on the menu. One was a large raviolo with fresh spinach and ricotta filling that contained a soft egg yolk. The raviolo was then bathed in a perfectly browned buerre noisette and dusted with parmigiano reggiano. It was almost exactly like the one we had eaten at La Cantinetta in Barolo, Italy last year (picture above), which you can read about in the post Best Meal in Barolo.

Another off-menu treat we were served was a large wedge of a bosc or red pear that had a dollop of mascarpone cheese filling the core which was then wrapped in prosciutto. It was a much better combination than the ubiquitous (and not so well balanced) cantaloupe with prosciutto everyone else serves.

A green olive topped wrapped in ground meats (pork and beef?) which was then lightly breaded and fried was quite tasty. It was a salty nibble quite appropriate for an appetizer when paired with a light sparkling wine. A salad of baby frisee with shaved fennel (finoccio) and candied walnuts rounded out the starters.

The rest of the meal consisted of familiar and delicious Francesca's fare - pork with the creamiest polenta you'll ever find, gemelli with pesto, potatoes and green beans, sauteed tilapia and so on....

It's a great addition to the Francesca's family and priced very reasonably for a near Mag Mile location.