La Quinta Di Francesco
This week we paid a visit to La Quinta Di Francesco, a “Ristorante Italiano Bar and Pizzeria.” Owner and chef Francesco Narracci is a great Bucerias story. While visiting with him, I have to admit, my mind had some wandering episodes. With Il Divo playing in the background, the aroma of simmering sauces would come floating out of the kitchen, and I would forget where I was. I enjoy a variety of foods, but the Italian kitchen aroma spurs my appetite like nothing else.
While meeting with Francesco, a man came in to the restaurant to make his reservation. “Have you been here before?” I asked. “No,” he replied, “but we keep hearing great reviews about this place. We’ve walked by every year and finally six of us will come tonight!”
Francesco told us about a recent customer, a chef from Canada. After trying a slice of pizza, the chef said, “I’ve never had pizza like this in thirty years.” While staying at the Royal DeCameron for one week, he came to eat at La Quinta three times.
Francesco was born and grew up in Monopoli, Italy. His family made wine, olive oil, and canned their own tomato sauce. With a degree in hotel/restaurant management, he worked throughout Europe, and travelled the Caribbean working for a cruise line. He won a bet with his buddy, the prize being a trip to Puerto Vallarta. He has now been in Mexico for eighteen years, and he opened his restaurant twelve years ago.
The food is Italian, no doubt about that. As all good Bucerias restaurateurs do, Francesco is focused on where he buys the ingredients he prepares and serves. The only thing frozen in his restaurant es hielo (ice!) “I have different specials every day. It depends on what I find at the market. “
One of the chefs has been at La Quinta for the past six years, having started as a dishwasher. “I started her working with pasta, and now she does pizza, too. She has to follow my recipe. I don’t want her to change anything.”
Live Music 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
On Thursday evenings you’ll hear the mellow sounds of the saxophone, and on Sundays, enjoy the guitar strums. The music is a nice addition to the very good meal. If you plan to come on a Sunday, it’s best to make reservations, as it’s a busy night.
Francesco brought out an unopened Monopoly game…Monopoli, from the city where he’s from. His brother visited and brought the game from Italy, which features some of his old neighborhood.
What is your favourite thing about your restaurant, we asked. “The customers. We have really nice customers.”
We’ll take that as a compliment…we’ve been customers for three years now! Thank you, Francesco.
La Quinta di Francesco is located at Retorno Las Palmas #1, on the Royal DeCameron road. They are closed on Tuesdays.
phone: 329 298 3919 cell: 322 135 5951 Visa/Mastercard accepted
