Gnocchi from heaven

One of my all time favorite Italian specialties (of which there are many), are gnocchi. When gnocchi are made well, and taste the way they are intended to taste, namely light and fluffy with only a touch of chewiness, they are utterly fabulous! I love the way these delectable little pillows from heaven melt in my mouth.

Recently The Montreal Gazette introduced me to the culinary genius of Luciano Lecas, who makes the gnocchi at Buona Notte restaurant in Montreal. Watch Luciano make them www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQI6cqOZ9Zc so you can understand where I'm coming from. Being a total sucker for a good story, I was seriously intrigued. Therefore this year for my birthday, my husband, my children and I had dinner there for me to savor Luciano's specialty. The rest is history. They were everything I had hoped they would be, and more! I regularly dream about the next time I will have them (and I have been back several times).

This dish is surprisingly reasonably priced for something this scrumptious ($19, if memory serves), and you can have it during either the lunch or dinner sitting. Luciano makes the gnocchi 6 days a week, so you may want to call ahead to make sure they have them on the menu that day (I went once when they didn't have them and I was very seriously disappointed).

The ultra ultra special treat is also having them for dessert. If you go for lunch Luciano will make them with butter and cinnamon (this isn't on the menu, you have to ask). Technically it isn't available for dinner at all, but if you happen to be lucky and Max is there (one of the owners, and Luciano's son), he has a soft spot for this Italian treat, and if you ask nicely, he will allow the chef to make it for you. If you are a gnocchi lover, as I am, definitely worth the begging!

Buon appetito