Laura Francisco’s father was a welder. Her mother was a seamstress and stay-at-home mom of four. Once they arrived in California from New Jersey, the couple became quite successful restaurateurs. Their influence, from vibe to veal cannelloni, is felt everywhere at Radici Ristorante and Wine Room, Francisco’s very own establishment in Hermosa Beach.
Francisco’s mother, Lucia Gasbarri, is Radici’s executive chef, and she has her hands in everything. Gasbarri grew up in Pacentro, a tiny village in the Abruzzo region of Italy, watching her mom prepare homemade Italian dishes from family recipes.
The cuisine in Pacentro is fresh, made from high-quality ingredients and simple, which is hard to do, according to Francisco, “because there aren’t enough ingredients to hide any flaws. We don’t layer. Our food is very authentic. It’s a lifestyle, and that’s how we grew up.” . . .
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Jessica Koslow 