Before you set in stone your plans for Old Year's Night, consider the island's newest Italian restaurant, Fagioli.
Opened only since Thanksgiving, Fagioli is still a young eatery with loads of potential. The staff is still getting the feel of the place, but they are friendly and eager to please.
Recently I stopped in to talk with Patricio Sagredo, the chef/owner. Allow me to introduce him to you.
Patricio Sagredo is not new to the restaurant business. He has been a chef for most of his life, most recently at Virgilio's, and has owned restaurants in California and Ecuador.
As to his culinary training, his only admittance was that he learned from his Italian mother and grandmother first hand. Now, that's Italian in any cook book. Yet his recipes have subtle flavorings from his Chilean homeland
In answer to the question "What are your favorite dishes?" I got the following answers. First, pasta. All the pasta is homemade, just like his mother taught him. He especially likes the Lasagna Alla Vegetariana. Then seafood — fresh seafood. So fresh that Patricio does not run it on his regular menu. He only offers it as the Pesce del Giorno (Fish of the Day).
According to Patricio, all portions for dinner are large.
"After working eight to nine hours, people want a big meal," he said. However his lunch portions are smaller because people are generally in a bit of a hurry to get back to work.
Check out a sampling of what he has on his special New Year's Eve menu: Grilled Scallops with Baby Greens and a Lemon Caper Dressing for one of the appetizers (priced at $10.95). A choice for entree is Chilean Sea Bass with Crab Meat in Tomato Ragu, served with Pureed Carrots and Sauteed Spinach (priced at $27.95). This latter dish is a personal favorite of this shy, gentle chef.
Along with music and dancing, there will be free champagne offered at the stroke of midnight.
In addition to the specials listed above, Chef Sagredo will be offering his regular menu as well.
He also has a medium priced wine list that carries wines from France, Italy, Chile, Australia and California. Among his champagnes he lists Dom Perignon. Fagioli is located on the waterfront, next door to Gold's Gym. The warm, Mediterranean ambiance of Italy is evident from the first step into this charming new restaurant. The view of our own harbor only serves to enhance the fantasy.
So, for the particulars. Fagioli is open Monday to Saturday for lunch, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Live musical entertainment is on hand during dinner hours on Friday and Saturday.
Price range for lunch is $7 – $14, and dinner is $12 – $20.
Reservations for parties of four or more are recommended. Telephone: 777-8116.