Just returned from a tasty late-July lunch in a strange location: Wilmington. Yes you know this town, the strip-mall city you pass through to get to 93 or, if you're like me, you try to avoid it. Road-rage thy name is Route 38. But this gem that has been shining for nine years, is worth every last frayed nerve. The DePesa brothers Peter (left) and Robert (right) have created an Italian oasis of perfect pasta, endless baskets of focaccia bread and a nice looking salad, constructed in a tent-like fashion w/ asparagus. Prices, as you might expect in this locale, are another huge draw. But it's really the hospitality these boys emanate that puts Focaccia over the top. Look for the chef/owners on the Food Network's Chefs vs. City Aug. 21. They were picked from a culinary line up of sausage cart guys to the executive chef at the Four Seasons to represent Boston in this Iron Chef/ Amazing Race hybrid. Not bad for a couple of blokes from Medford with more street smarts than CIA training. Go boys, go!
If you go, you gotta do the pumpkin tortellini. Props for keeping the orange gourd on the menu year round.
For those who don't want to Google it, here's the restaurant's site:
http://www.focacciafood.com/home.asp
My family and I love Focaccia's. The homade fusilli is amazing!! I love the wild mushroom ravioli in cream sauce. I could go on and on now that I am drooling. It is a true mom and pop homemade establishment with reasonable prises. A must try!