I used to fear Carluccio's. Back when you're a child and you depend on familiarity when eating out, the world of Carluccio's is all too much about cured meats and sundried tomatoes. Fortunately, I am now a grown up and am more than happy to experiment with my food habits.
After spending the morning wandering around the shopping centre, we went to Carluccio's for a change; there are plenty of coffee shops, but they're nothing special, and our last Cafe Rouge experience here was borderline tragic. There's a fixed price menu, which my mum ate from, but also their usual range of goodies - pasta, salads, small plates. I opted for the goats cheese and roasted pepper salad, which was tasty, if a bit over-leafy; I mean, I enjoy my greenery, but at certain points in the bowl it was positively jungle like. The balsamic dressing was tasty, well balanced, but there was a serious lack of pine nuts. Before this I devoured some battered courgette, aubergine, and red peppers - salty and hot, these were a real treat. Mum's bruschetta looked delicious, with warm bread and cold tomatoes and peppers, and her chicken milanese was simple but effective.
The service earned Carluccio's its extra star as we were greeted by a friendly young woman who instantly complimented my mum on her outfit, cheering her up no end. It's things like this - attention from the staff that goes beyond wanting your money - that makes people return again and again.
In a place lacking in original food, Carluccio's is a good pick when you want something different. read more