La Cucina Italiana di Franco & Gemma — Restaurant in Toa Baja

I’m not the kind of person that posts frequently, but this is the most legit Italian restaurant in Puerto Rico. It is the first time I have eaten in this place. It has a small space, so I recommend you reserve days in advance. The same day, I received a text message to confirm the reservation. The ambiance is like going to a “nonna’s” (grandmother’s) house, a no-frills type of place. The portions are not like big restaurant chains, but the quality of the ingredients is superb, and the food was fresh. My boyfriend and I started with the crostini al prosciutto di Parma, which was amazing! It came with warm bread smothered in olive oil. Then we had the codfish croquettes, which are hand-battered fish fillets. They were hot and fresh as well. As our main course, I ordered the ravioli filled with figs and mascarpone and speck (similar to bacon) and mascarpone sauce. My boyfriend had Pappardelle al ragu with cinghiale (wild boar or jabalí). At first, I thought that I would not be satisfied with six pieces of ravioli, but I did get full. The sauce was creamy and flavorful. The figs, the speck, and the mascarpone make an outstanding balance. My boyfriend had wild boar for the first time, and the tomato sauce was not chunky or watery. It had a fantastic flavor. He has family in Italy, and he has visited them a couple of times, so he told me that the food is what you expect when you visit Italy. He had Italian beer, and I had Aperol spritz. I was not a fan of the drink, but I had to give it a chance, and it was balanced and tasty. To finish all up, we had had the best tiramisu ever! I wanted to lick up the bowl. 😋 The prices are okay because of the quality of the food. The owners, Franco and Gemma, served us, and they were attentive and cordial. There is parking for restaurant guests in the Jesus Soberano Church in front of the street....

We heard that this place has not just some of the best Italian food in Puerto Rico, but in the world -- and this was from people who had lived in Italy. With that claim, we had to try it.

Being a family from Michigan, we can't claim what is the best Italian food from around the world, but can say it is the best Italian food we have had -- and we have travelled Italy, eaten in the best Italian restaurants in major cities, yet this little hidden, unassuming gem is absolutely amazing.

If you are a less-travelled tourist from the States, please be advised this is a cultural experience. The food is absolutely authentic and carefully prepared by a single chef with recipes passed down for generations. It will not taste like cheap Italian restaurants in the States -- the ingredients are fresh, the flavors more complex yet in some ways subtle, and the pasta tastes, feels and eats differently. It's because it was made that day.

The owners are native Italians -- gracious and delightful. We were able to speak with them in Spanish and limited Italian and fell in love with their passion for their food, ensuring the best experience, and care for our family.

You will be stepping into the incredible Italian food experience that Franco and Gemma have created for the rest of of us to savor and enjoy -- like none other. It is one we will be back for soon (in fact after our meal we were looking at direct flights back to San Juan just to come back to dinner here).

This place is very special as are Franco, Gemma and Jasmine. Thank you for a five-star experience. We'll be...

Opinión sobre mi experiencia en este restaurante realmente no merece NINGUNA estrella por la actitud del Chef y propietario Trato poco cordial, ni a la entrada ni a la salida. (Ni bienvenida, ni gracias) un plato que pidió mi esposo 24.99 por raviolis de carne en el plato solo habían 6 raviolis nada de acompañante(Overpriced) Mi Carbonara estaba un poco sobre la sal y los espaguetis un poco duros (más crudos que al dente ). Los ñoqui con salsa boloñesa de mi hijo tenían buen sabor. Dado que la cocina queda a un costado vimos a una empleada pasar con los 6 raviolis crudos en la mano 😳. Eso no da la impresión que cuidan su imagen del negocio. Presentación en el plato ninguna. Ambiente muy casual, precios elevados, trato seco y con poca disposición de responder preguntas. Me encanta la comida italiana, pero he comido por el mismo precio con porciones más razonables. Además que en el área de las mesas se sentía un olor a gas muy fuerte y mi mesa estaba distante de la cocina , que en mi opinión debieran ser más cuidadoso con este aspecto por seguridad y percepción del comensal. Hubiera deseando que la experiencia hubiese sido buena para volver pero no fue así. 😏

Respuesta del propietario y chef a mi opinión Juzgue usted. NO HACER CASO ES EL MEJOR DESPRECIO.

Ayer, monitoreando las opiniones escrita por nuestros clientes, me salió una muy rara de una clienta, cierta señora Saudi Chinea, que no recomienda nuestra Trattoria Italiana por una serie de motivaciones :

1. No recibieron el saludo ni en el entrar ni en el salir
2. La pasta (Spaghetti Carbonara era cruda y salada)
3. los Raviolis eran pocos
4. Los Platos no tenían presentaciones
5. El costo muy caro Respetando las opiniones de todos nuestros clientes, no contesté a este review porque realmente no vale la pena. Recuerdo precisamente los tres componentes de esta mesa y solo le quiero recordar que en tres personas gastaron mas o menos $ 60 incluyendo el IVU, en cualquier restaurant de comida rápida habrían gastado mas, además la pasta que servimos en nuestra trattoria es perfectamente al dente porque no es pre-cocinada como hacen la mayoría de los restaurantes, y la carbonara que contiene pimienta negra, pancetta Italiana y queso pecorino romano es un poco mas sabrosa absolutamente no salada, parese que la señora esta acostumbrada a la carbonara americana. Todos los clientes vienen recibido personalmente da mi esposa Gemma con amor y cordialidad y da Gemma vienen servidos en la mesa, estas personas se dejaron entrar también si no tenían reservación. En cuanto a los platos que no tenían presentación, los platos se presentan en la manera pura y original Italiana, que clase de presentación pueden pretender personas que en el comer piden agua de la pluma y al contestarle que en nuestro restaurant, por motivo de higiene, podemos servir solo agua en botella y al traerle tres botellita de agua al costo de $ 1.80 cada una rechazaron el agua, compartiendo una botellitas en tres personas. Verdaderamente en nuestra pequeña Trattoria Italiana adonde todo se hace con amor y no por dinero, no queremos estas clases de personas, prefiero ser un comerciante malo y seguir con amor y dedicación lo que hago. Gracias a todos nuestros clientes, fans y seguidores que siempre nos han...