La Famiglia Giorgio’s
My husband and I decided to adventure into the famed north end of Boston to La Famiglia Giorgio’s to try some Italian. If you’re in Boston, you’ve got to seek out the North End culinary scene!
We were starving and stumbled upon this quaint little gem after a full day of house hunting. HOWEVER, a few words of warning before I go any further — going to La Famiglia’s starving is dangerous. Your eyes might be bigger than your stomach. No matter how hungry you might be, you will not be able to eat everything you “think” you should order, unless you’re bovine and have the luxury of four stomaches.
This was the first time in my 37 years of living that I felt like I got MORE than my money’s worth. At La Famiglia Giorgio’s, we felt like we were part of the family. It was like our mothers were somewhere in the kitchen putting more food on our plates, just because that’s what moms do.
Rob and I started our evening with the complimentary fresh baked bread and an order of calamari (actually, a heaping plate of it) followed by our main entrees. I have never seen so much food in my entire life. We should have stopped with the calamari. No, I’m not one of those prissy appearance-is-everything-too-afraid-to-live type girls that sustains herself on rice cakes and water. I am a girl who eats; my appetite is usually larger than the most burley of men. Hence, Rob always knows when I’m “really” sick – there is a definite cause to worry if I lose my appetite.
Deliciously Diabetic?
Being diabetic, venturing to an Italian restaurant like can be difficult. You might wake up the next morning wondering why you felt the need to do such a thing after spending the entire night fighting high blood sugars. In Italian food as a whole, there are carbohydrates in everything; sugars in the sauce, the pasta, the bread… Why else does Italian food taste so good right?
I would strongly caution any diabetic (or human) from taking part in “The Challenge.” The deal is, if you can eat everything on your plate, you get a free t-shirt. However, this means devouring either 6 lbs of lasagna, 3 lbs pounds of pasta with eight meatballs and six sausage, 3 lbs of pasta and 6 chicken parmigiana OR 3 lbs of homemade gnocchi, 4 cut up chicken cutlets & broccoli in a pink vodka sauce. Could you do it? Would you?
La Famiglia Giorgio’s is no exception when it comes to the effects of Italian food on blood sugar. However I will say with caution – the experience at La Familigla’s is worth it. The menu boasts an INCREDIBLE selection so even non-pasta aficionados can rejoice. Soups, salads, meatballs, sausage, traditional pasta dishes, fish… it’s all there. There is also an incredible sauce selection; you’re not limited by the house sauce. If you despise Italian food & your family made you come, there’s even a burger selection. It truly is possible to dine at La Famiglia Giorgio’s and manage your blood sugars. Perhaps you’ll opt for some fish with a light cream sauce, a salad and a small portion (they serve HUGE portions) of pasta or bread. It’s do-able, you just have to go with your health goals in mind.
The Food
If I had to downgrade one thing at La Famiglia Giorgio’s, it would be the tomato sauce. I know, the entire Italian family just rolled over in their graves. Rob and I both felt that the tomato sauce could have had a little more flavor. However, the overall experience, hospitality, atmosphere and selection totally made up for it. I will also remind you that I love a lot of flavor with my meals – spice is nice. And, I’m not the type to give a perfectly perfect score unless my broccoli arrives gold plated.
** CLICK HERE to view the dinner menu **
The After “Party”
Our hotel was in Medford, several miles away. We sat there, for several minutes after our indulgence and suddenly felt the urge to burn off some of this deliciousness. Yup, this was a treat meal. Rob and I are fairly active so we tested our blood sugars and started walking… we walked from the restaurant to Medford that night with beautiful memories of our first north end Italian meal fresh in our bellies. We watched the city lights glitter in the distance as we digested our dinner… finally making it to Medford, happy we decided to walk.
Again, you won’t believe how much food you get AND it’s seriously good food too. The ambiance is pretty cool to boot. Go to La Famiglia Giorgio’s. Trust me. You’ll make memories happen.
Will I return?
Um. Yes.
