Dinner at Franco's

Friday, April 23, 2010

Franco's is a small Italian restaurant in Cypress near the racetrack that I have been to several times. The food is always good and a varied menu. It's not all pasta & marinara sauces.

We started out with an appetizer that is not on the menu. You have to ask for it. Shrimp Franco. Shrimp are sauteed in a thick wine sauce that has capers and mushrooms in it. The sauce is one of those that you scrape the plate clean with bread, which I did. Not very "ladylike" but I have never been known for being prim & proper. Down and dirty is more like it. I also have more fun.

There were 6 of us tonight and and 4 different entrees ordered. 3 people ordered the pork loin . One beef fillet, one pasta with chicken and I selected the lamb shank. Everyone seemed to like their selections. I was glad I ordered the lamb as I had brought a bottle of Barbera that paired perfectly with the lamb dish.

The entrees came with a choice of soup or salad. 5 of us selected the soup which was a cream of Italian squash (zucchini). It had a bite to the flavor which was very good and paired well with the bubbly and especially well with a white wine that Terry brought. A 2008 Vallevo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. That soup and wine were a perfect match.

We had a very good selection of wines tonight.

2005 Franck Bonville Grand Cru, Blanc de Blanc
2008 Vallevo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
2008 Lancaster, Samantha's Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sauvignon Blanc

2006 Kistler Cuvee Natalie, Silver Belt Vineyard, Pinot Noir
2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico
2003 Poggio San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino
2001 French Hill, Reserve Barbera, Mokelumne , El Dorado County

2008 Huber, Dornfelder Hafen (Port), Sta Rita Hills - this was served with dark chocolate that had bacon bits in it.

Looking forward to going back to Franco's at the May "Wine & Dine" gathering.