At last: For all the tiramisu I've tried over the years — all the questions I've asked about each version's ingredients, and whether it's homemade — I've almost always been sorely disappointed by it. So I was astonished to discover the tiramisu ($5.95) at Frenchie's Italian Restaurant (1041 NASA Pkwy., 281-486-7144), a tiny gem of a place close to NASA. Frankly, the dessert was a mess, spooned haphazardly onto the plate, but that indicated it was homemade. After the first bite, I realized this was it — the real thing, at last. The ladyfingers had perfectly absorbed the coffee they'd been soaked in, rendering them nice and soft. The mascarpone was well-whipped, making it light and airy. And the cocoa sprinkled on top gave it a slight bitterness that counteracted the sweetness of the dish. One bite led to another and then to another until the plate was clean.
As I approach Frankie at the register to pay for my to go order of his wonderful Capallini Marinara, I get soooo excited! I can not wait to devour this hearty, rich, garlicy creation that is so popular. When I get my order, I open the container and sprinkle tons and tons of roasted garlic on it then seal it up. I grab a few pieces of bread and butter to go as well. Then I drive back to my office while constantly looking at my order and guarding it with my LIFE to make sure it doesn't fall off of the passenger seat! I get to my desk, open the container that has the most wonderful meal that I've ever eaten in my life!!! CAPALLINI MARINARA!!!! Angel Hair pasta with hearty homemade marinara sauce, peas, black olives, tomatoes, fire roasted peppers, and roasted garlic. Alot of you complain that you have to wait in line for your meal, but come on, it is DEFINETLY worth waiting for. If you have never eaten at Frenchies or ordered a to go meal, you are definetly missing out. Plus Frankie is hilarious! He always cracks up jokes to keep everyone laughing and in positive spirits. He definetly has a gift. Long Live Frenchies!!!!!!!!!!
Carol 01/03/2010 6:18:00 PM
Delicious! This mom-and-pop Italian restaurant serves food made the old fashioned way!
You will find divine tomato sauces, perfect pastas, and tons of mozzarella here- all perfectly combined. I suspect lots of butter and cream go in to these dishes, as well.
My favorites dishes here include Italian Sausage casserole (the baked version), Chicken Parmesan, and the Chicken Crepes. Be sure to add some of the fried (or maybe it is baked) garlic found in the bowl by the bread at the pick up window to your salad. Yum!
I usually go for lunch (around $9.00- $10.00), because the dinner menu is out of range for my limited budget. Don't be surprised is you have to wait in line, but it is well worth the wait. Be sure to admire at all the signed pictures of celebrities and astronauts on the walls, too!
