Bruschetta Francesca has been on my radar for awhile. However, until this weekend we had not dined there for a multitude of reasons. But, I have a feeling that we will be back again. We had reservations, so my husband and I were seated immediately. We perused the atmosphere and the menu as we waited for our friends to arrive. The restaurant staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. The owner, Francesca, even came over to our table to say hello. We talked about her being from Sicily and me still having family there.
The Food
Once our friends arrived, we ordered drinks and appetizers. We started with their bruschetta classica, and it was everything you want in a classic starter. The bread was perfectly toasted, crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. Then, topped with juicy, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic, and just the right touch of garlic. It was simple, fresh, and bursting with flavor.
We also ordered the bruschetta gambrel pesto which had pesto and perfectly cooked shrimp as the topping. I did not try this one as I was already filling up from the classic and the calamari fritti that we ordered. There is nothing quite like this lightly fried delicacy at an authentic Italian restaurant. Just the right amount of saltiness and marinara added to the flavor.
For the main course, I ordered one of the specials which was a portion each of eggplant parmigiana, lasagne and meatballs. Jason ordered just the lasagne. The eggplant parmigiana was delicioso. Thinly sliced, perfectly fried eggplant layered with rich marinara and melted mozzarella. It was comforting, flavorful, and beautifully balanced without being too heavy. The lasagne was rich, meaty and delicious made with the traditional Italian method of using a béchamel sauce rather than ricotta. The meatballs were a huge disappointment though. They were tough and nowhere near as flavorful as anything else we ate.
Steven and Lisa both ordered the spaghetti alla pescatora which was offered with a red sauce or a white wine sauce. Both Lisa and Steven went with the white wine sauce, but I think after tasting the red sauce, they would have preferred it. The dish was loaded with calamari, shrimp, and mussels. The spaghetti was thicker than they liked, but the dish was flavorful and filling as well.
For dessert, we had a hard decision on our hands. We went with the cannoli which were pistachio flavored, the chocolate tartufo, and a white cake with custard and candied fruits. All of these were delicious and we practically licked the plates clean. Actually, the cannoli were two to a serving, and they were huge, so we did actually bring one of those back home with us for breakfast the next day.
More About Key West
Dining at Bruschetta Francesca in Key West was an absolute pleasure—a hidden gem that brings authentic Italian flavors to the heart of the island. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere paired with friendly, attentive service set the tone for a great meal. Overall, Bruschetta Francesca is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Southern Italian / Sicilian cuisine in Key West. The food was fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and mostly delicious.
For more information about things to do and see in our island city, go to our Key West Web Site. You can also visit our Key West Events Calendar to see upcoming special events. And for more restaurant reviews check out our restaurant review section of this blog as well as our restaurant reviews at www.gotothekeys.com.
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