I come from a half Italian background, and simply speaking, this place stirred something deep within me.
We arrived at about 12.45 in the afternoon, the place seemed closed. So we stopped for a smoke outside and got talking to a guy a few metres from the main entrance. It turns out he is Tomasino, owner, host, bon vivant of the establishment. We tell him we've come to have lunch and he lets us in. The place is empty, and it becomes evident quite quickly that they do not open up the restaurant at lunch times, Tomasino has simply accommodated us out of his generosity.
Since we are the only patrons at this hour we have his full attention. Tomasino, it turns out, came to Cordoba from Calabria, Italy, in the year 2000. He told us he was looking for a new adventure, something fun to do in his veteran years. And my, does he have a grasp of his trade.
Before our eyes we are treated to a starter of fresh ciabatta bread, gorgonzola and pecorino cheese. all soaked up with rich olive oil. For our main course we are delighted with our Pepperoncino pizza...a delight of cheese, fresh pizza dough, and chili spice. Not so much to burn our tongues, but just enough to sweat our brows a little on a steamy Cordoba afternoon. The 2 person pizza while not huge, along with the accompaniments is a delight to be enjoyed slowly and languidly.
Satisfied with our pizza, without even a thought, we are brought a portion of his homemade Tiramisu, a delight of cake, marscapone and coffee liqueur. He manages to provide a desert that is rich but not sickly, softly sweet and not overwhelming. Delicious.
The piece de resistance for our Thursday afternoon private dining at Tomasino came with the arrival of shot glasses, home made Limoncello and then Grappa. Tomasino toasts with us and we drink together his extremely fine home made grappa, the likes of which take me back to days gone by with my Italian family. While we repose and bask in our glorious Italian lunch, he puts on a dvd of Italian music that reminds me of my Italian nonno (grandpa).
In doing so he has brought me to the point of joyful tears of nostalgia, longing for my family.
What Tomasino does is so much more than Italian food. He creates an Italian home, a small corner of pride, family, and heritage in downtown Cordoba. It is not merely a meal, it is an Italian cultural experience the likes of which are not that easy to find in the world.
Argentina is a country of immigrants, many of whom have deep Italian roots. If only more went to this restaurant and rediscovered their roots, they might all be a little fatter and happier with life.
Go. Just go. Right now. Stop what you are doing and support this business. You won't regret it. read more
