Lower East Side Restaurateur Recounts Cooking for Pope Francis

A Memorable Meal for Pope Francis

• 👨‍🍳 Ismail Alba, owner of Bonas Aerys restaurant on the Lower East Side, shares his experience cooking for Pope Francis during his 2015 New York City visit.
• 🎁 Alba received rosary beads from the Vatican as a gift from the Pope, which he keeps close to his heart.
• 🍽️ The restaurant was chosen for the special occasion, and Alba was given a menu that included grilled lemon chicken and pan de yuca.

The Special Grill

• 🔥 The lemon chicken was cooked on a specific grill, which Alba considers a "holy grail."
• 🚫 This particular grill has not been used since that day, preserving its special significance.

Lasting Connections

• 💌 Even two years prior to the video's context, Pope Francis sent Alba a poster with a handwritten note, thanking him for his kindness.
• 🇦🇷 Alba, who is from Argentina, expressed pride in having an Argentinian Pope, acknowledging that he was a Pope for everyone.
• 🕊️ Reflecting on the Pope's passing, Alba believes he is at peace, having lived a life dedicated to the "medicine of the soul."