Why would I want to cook when Fiore Di Zucca is on the menu at The Local Kitchen & Wine Bar? www.localkitchen.ca
Answer: There is no reason. Besides, I’m thin as a rail and fit to be tied from fittings. I’m vanishing into an MOW’s abyss, and totally hungry.
I decide to treat myself and the awesomely sexy N to dinner at the”Local”.
Of course seats at the bar are an urban-boho must. I grab the last two, and order my deep fried flower appetizer before I take any pics. My shots look like s*!# tonight. N generously offers up some from his library.
© N
My eyes take in the wall behind the bar. I gaze upon the Enomatic. Keeping wine tasty for days, it’s loaded with expensive reds you can buy, by the glass.
Even though we’ve ordered a bottle, I still want to see what wines are available in the Enomatic tonight. The names are printed on the mirror behind the bar.
I continue taking lousy pics. See what I mean?
When my Fiore Di Zucca arrives, I manage to take a half decent shot.
These are to die for.
Michael picks the zucchini blossoms from his parents’ garden in the afternoon. In the evening Fabio stuffs them with ricotta and mint. They are dipped in a delicate tempura-like batter before hitting hot oil. I squeeze fresh lemon on them, and go to heaven! If these were in season all year, I’d probably look like a beach ball.
That’s the way it is at the Local Kitchen & Wine Bar. The menu is designed from in season, locally grown produce as much as possible.
Then there’s the passion the boys put into everything they do.
© N
I sip on my wine, and look around. Hey, where am I, in some kind of old Italian oil painting?
I think about the days before cameras, when there was only art to document life. Times have changed, but has pasta? Here it’s fresh made daily.
N orders Ziti + Pomodori + Basil + Peperoncino I get the Mitri stuffed with Fava Beans & Ricotta & Summer Black Truffles. I convince Haley to take my camera into the kitchen, and get a behind the scenes shot of my pasta being plated.
© Haley Blackmore
For dessert, we get a sampler platter.
Let’s see! There’s Fritole filled with Nutella, Panna Cotta with raspberries and Celery Sorbet.
I take a shot of the dessert platter. It’s the worst picture I’ve ever taken.
There are two photos you will never see in this Blog, the unfortunate pic of this delicious dessert sampler, and Resa first thing in the morning.
Time to tango out of here!
Maybe N wants to play some vid with me now? I’d like that.
AFTERMATH:
Molto Delizioso!
@ N
N takes a shot of me at Queen’s end with his phone.
SUMMATION:
The Local Kitchen & Wine Bar experience is like being in an old Italian oil painting. The food is excellent, and fits right in with the brush strokes of the atmosphere.
Fabio Bondi (Chef) and Michael Sangregorio (Front of House Man) are the artists.
Fabio and Michael are Food Rock Stars at Queen’s end.
Wine ♥ ♥ ♥ plus the place looks really cozy!
It’s awesome at the “Local” And they have some wines no one else in the city has. Delicious!
Great post as usual Resa…
I just love the ‘enomatic’… good wine by the glass (almost unheard of here). ‘Fiore Di Zucca’ – These I’ve had in a really great vegetarian restaurant and you are right – they are to die for…
I love the pic from inside the restaurant out to the street. The bikes really grabbed my attention.
How I love your comments, and how astute of you that the pic with the bikes was taken from inside of the restaurant. I wasn’t sure anyone would ID that. I thank you again for you reflection of me. It helped me to think more clearly. I get fuzzy sometimes. ♥♥♥
Ditto… and – it was my pleasure… glad that it helped… xoxoxo
xoxoxo
You had me at tempura… I totally need to learn to make the zucchini blossom tempura; it looks fantastic. Well, and grow zucchinis. Which may not be as easy as it sound in Arizona. Thank you for sharing the day, I feel like I was almost there. ^_^
Your comment made my day. Arizona must be fabulous, zucchinis or not.
LOL Fabulously hot. ^_^ (Though, monsoons right now an it’s much cooler! Only 93 right now!)
Yum. Delicious post, Resa. It’s always a delight to tag along with you.
Thanks Lori! That means a lot to me.
Wow. I think I need a Fiore di Zucca. Great post.
You would love it. Thanks for the read and the compliment.
Your photos do the job and your writing spins the story. All good! We are there with you drinking wine, crunching delicate zuch blossoms…. celery sorbet? (must try) and soaking up the atmosphere.
It’s always best to leave a little to the imagination
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
It sounds like a wonderful place. Isn’t it lovely to have a place where you know the owners and have favourite dishes? Those zucchini flowers sound delicious. I hope to grow zucchini next season and I’m going to have a stab at making them. I’ll try not to eat them all myself, although sadly, being thin as a rail is never a problem I’m likely to have.
You might want to bear that in mind, should you ever take up the writing gig instead… 
Yes it is wonderful to have the Local and the boys close at hand. The food, wine and company means so much in life. Although I’m a slim person I am thin as a rail due to a bout of pneumonia, and I’m having a hard time gaining due to work. I ate 3 orders of the blossoms on Friday night. You look soooo beautiful in your new pic. Your smile is outstanding!
Fiore di Zucca looks absolutely delicious! I don’t think I have ever seen them on a menu, but will certainly keep my eyes open. I guess I do not go to the right restaurants!Yum!
I hope you find some!