Pasta Fiorentina (Naked Ravioli) from Francesca’s Forno
Item Purchased: Fiorentina (Naked Ravioli) from Francesca’s Forno
Location Purchased: Francesca’s Forno / 1576 N. Milwaukee Ave. / Chicago, IL
Price: $9.00 + tax
Review: I remember moving to Chicago and thinking “How can a poor schlub like myself afford to eat out in this city?” I spent a full year buying grocery cart-fulls of canned foods, microwave dinners and crispy packets of powdered noodles. It wasn’t until summer of 2004 that I discovered the secret to being poor and enjoying the thousands of restaurants Chicago has to offer: keep no groceries in the house, buy food only when you need it.
This simple equation has led me to enjoy one of the most delicious pasta dishes ever to traverse my palette.
Francesca Forno’s Naked Ravioli looks to be the ultimate rip-off at first glance. Served in a large bowl, but filling only a quarter of its volume, the dish made me groan.
Then I tasted it.
The tiny, no frills (as in no extra pasta serrated on the sides) ravioli resembles a small collection of matzoh balls swimming in a pool of olive oil. Topped with fresh tomato sauce, brown butter and sage, the little pasta spheres offer a salty cheese taste like no other. Grab a glass or bottle of red wine from Francesca’s Forno’s fantastic wine list before ordering this dish.
You cannot stop stuffing these caloric treats in your mouth until they all disappear. I wanted to taste more so badly that I even ate a sage leaf from the bottom of the bowl. Though bitter and not intended to be consumed, even this byproduct of masterful cooking made me smile. Despite the apparent size of the dish, it will leave you satisfied and maybe even full when you are done with it.
Francesca’s Forno specializes in dishes to share. Even the cramped ambience of the restaurant with its great view of Wicker Park’s ground zero, lends itself to this ethic. My advice is to let your friends taste your naked ravioli first (sounds dirty, doesn’t it?) lest you feel the urge to keep it all to yourself. After your first bite, just be prepared to fight off the crowds with your salad fork.
If you are going to eat at Francesca’s…this dish is an absolute must!
Rating: 4.75 / 5
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