Cheesy Ponderings. Part One.

Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan?

Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the best known hard cheeses of northern Italy, but did you know that production dates back at least nine centuries?  In recent years it has been strictly regulated and the process closely controlled, earning it the approval stamp on its golden rind to confirm it is DOP, that is Protected Denomination of Origin, much as in the classification and controls of wine production.

As with all good things there will be cheeky imitations trying to take the glory, and often the name Parmesan is used for cheeses that bear no resemblance nor heritage to the genuine article.  So whilst you can argue, perhaps, that Parmesan is a straight translation of the word Parmigiano, aficionados would argue that it is the not the same thing at all!

‘Potayto’ . . . ‘Potahto’ you might say. 

But if we are to be truly representational of Lino’s beloved homeland and boast that we are an authentic Italian Ristorante then we must do our best to honour the traditions, and endeavour to bring the best and most authentic of foodie goodies to your table as we are able to source.

Lino’s social media post a few weeks ago showed these lovely chunks for Parmigano with the caption, “No words needed” and there you have it . . . perfetto!

Ciao for now

Sarah x

Passion for Pizza

Lino and I love to watch The Netflix series ‘Chef’s Table’; one episode in particular sought out the origins of pizza . . .  some people profess they come from the good old of US of A, even Dean Martin sings of a “Big Pizza Pie”. . . and that’s amore!!!

According to Italians, pizza originated in Napoli and Calabria, I dare you to argue the toss! 

And then there’s the argument of the toppings: what belongs and what doesn’t!

Pepperoni Pizza boasts spicy sausage on it, but pepperoni in this sense is an American spicy sausage. In Italy, pepperoni is a hot chilli pepper . . . there is not a sausage or salami called pepperoni in Italy, only in America.

At Boboli we have a much favoured Pizza, the Testa Rossa, our own version, with Salsiccia Picante, onions and chillies - very hot and spicy!!!

As for Hawaiian pizza, with pineapple and such, we dare not mention this in Lino’s presence, our chefs still share a joke over the time Freddie produced a Hawaiian version for Chef, and he jumped on it!!!! Not his favourite pizza at all!  

In our beloved Italy, I was amused to see the wurst sausage making an appearance atop a pizza, along with chips too! Even pasta Carbonara has been known to delicately arrange itself on a bed of dough!

In the end it’s all down to personal interpretations, taste and flights of fancy.  Lino endeavours to offer something genuine with the odd twist of fantasy, of course all based on wonderfully fresh ingredients and our own home-made pizza dough made with Sharpham Park spelt flour.

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who Is the Best Restaurant of them All?

As The Good Food Guide launches it’s search for the Best Local Restaurant 2019, and chefs are set to flex their culinary muscles, I can’t help but wonder who decides and how they decide, or even how we decide who is the best restaurant.

In today’s culture we are all encouraged to be critics and the bitter truth is that critics thrive on the negative, it’s so much more fun to write and to read!

But what is it that the restaurateur seeks? Do we chase the stars and hanker after the accolades that may be bestowed upon us by the critics and the guides, or do we keep our heads down, focus on the quality, look after our customers and hope that the rest will follow?

We restaurateurs love to receive praise and recognition for our efforts but who knows the criteria that earns us the title of the Best!

Best Italian? Best Indian? Best Chinese? Best Seafood? In Kibworth, Market Harborough, Leicester or anywhere?

Is it about well-informed service with a smile, the well-researched wine list or the carefully planned menus featuring firm favourites as well as the extraordinary and creative?

Perhaps a combo of all of the above.

Of the guides and critics, we could wax lyrical for hours, but it is really the approval of our customers we most seek. Your recommendations are what really make the difference; it’s not about jumping through hoops to please the powers that be, but pleasing you, the diner, who lives down the road, and visits because you want to, because you like what we do.

The truth will out when the results are published, in the meantime we promise to do our best to be the best we can be to you and yours when you visit.

You can get involved in the selection process here.

A presto,

Sarah x

DO YOU LOVE GOOD BOOKS AND GREAT FOOD?

How about combining the two...

We’ve teamed up with Debbie at Kibworth Books to launch the Boboli & Lighthouse Book Club.

Every four to six weeks Debbie will select a book from her tempting range and we’ll email you with the details. Then, four or five weeks later we’ll get together to talk about it.

So, all you need to do is pop in to Kibworth Books , purchase your own copy of the book, read it and then come for a meal at The Lighthouse or Boboli to chat about it with like-minded friends - all in a very relaxed and lovely ‘book club’ style. We’ll be organising a lunch at The Lighthouse and supper at Boboli. Check our Diary for details of the book and the next dates.

Please email us if you would like to be added to our Book Club Mailing List.