A little Italy on Longboat Key

From the port town of Augusta in Sicily, Italy, to Longboat Key, Sebastiano and Francesca Daniele visit Longboat Key’s Re Frederico Restaurant at Avenue of the Flowers. Their son, Alessandro Daniele, is co-owner and keeper of his mother Francesca’s cooking secrets.

“My mother had her own restaurant when I was three years old, by the time I was five I was helping to cook in the kitchen. She is my quality control guru. Right after she arrived here in Longboat Massimo Murri, co–owner of Re Frederico, and I participated in the Celebrity Chef and Wine Tasting at the Longboat Key Club March 16.

“True to form my mother, she sampled every tray that I carried into the venue, saying, ‘That tray, it’s ok, this tray, it’s ok, but this one, you cannot bring in, take it back to the van.’ So I did what mama told me,” said Alessandro.

Alessandro says that he likes his mom checking on him, “It keeps me on my toes and always striving to do my best work.”

The couple can be seen most days visiting the restaurant and greeting patrons. They will stay on Longboat until April 23.