Perhaps the hardest kind of review to write is one, like this, where there are no negatives and everything you say will be highly praiseworthy: the review tends then to sounds rather sycophantic and perhaps even untrustworthy. However, my first experience at this fine Manchester restaurant was nothing other than 'soprafino'!
To be honest, from the restaurant's unprepossessing exterior, what lies inside comes as a pleasant surprise. The restaurant is much larger than expected, light and airy, and thankfully, even without any annoying background muisc which accompanies many a contemorary restaurant with the idea of drowing out extraneous restaurant noises (music which usually is played either too loudly or becomes irritating), the atmosphere was buzzing, alive, but not imposing or interfering; perhaps the modern term would be that there was a great 'vibe' to the place. It was a Saturday evening, and even though my companion and I had not booked a table, they were still more than obliging and we were found a small table away from the main glass-roofed 'atrium' of the restaurant which is obviously their showpiece.
All the staff were very polite, friendly but professional, attentive but not gushing, happy to help, and efficient. I can not be certain of course, but feel the majority of the waiting staff are Italian, and so this also helps to build the atmosphere and authenticity of the place. The service was, considering the day and time we were there, very swift, served piping hot and to perfection.
Yes, let me speak about the food. Both my companion and I had an antipasto and primo piatto each, meaning we had four different plates between us. The portions were large, excellently presented (just nicely layed out.. no pretentions!), and of very high quality. Squid is notoriously difficult to cook to perfection, but of course true Italians know their seafood, and it was perfect! As was the soup, the monkfish, the lamb, etc.
They have a large and comprehensive menu which covers everything from Italian 'standards' such as various pizze and pasta dishes, combined with some more adventurous plates still very much soaked in the sun and flavours of that Mediterranean country. The prices are most certainly on a par with other restaurants in Manchester, and although Don Marco's isn't in the centre of town, but instead located towards the southern end on the corner of Deansgate and Liverpool Road, there are many attractions within a few minutes' walk, and most definitely worth a small detour.
Yes, let me speak about the food. Both my companion and I had an antipasto and primo piatto each, meaning we had four different plates between us. The portions were large, excellently presented (just nicely layed out.. no pretentions!), and of very high quality. Squid is notoriously difficult to cook to perfection, but of course true Italians know their seafood, and it was perfect! As was the soup, the monkfish, the lamb, etc.
They have a large and comprehensive menu which covers everything from Italian 'standards' such as various pizze and pasta dishes, combined with some more adventurous plates still very much soaked in the sun and flavours of that Mediterranean country. The prices are most certainly on a par with other restaurants in Manchester, and although Don Marco's isn't in the centre of town, but instead located towards the southern end on the corner of Deansgate and Liverpool Road, there are many attractions within a few minutes' walk, and most definitely worth a small detour.
Such a shame that neither of us had room left for a dessert, as they too, looked delicious! Oh well, there's always a next time...!
Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu.
No comments:
Post a Comment