| Italian Restaurants | |||
Frankie and Benny's, Clifton Moor, 691 261
You may have seen these kit restaurants elsewhere, and as far as theme places go, the decor here isn't too bad. Pity about the food. I'd rather they spent more time on getting the food right than ensuring that they've hung "authentic" pictures of scenes from New York bar life in the best position. The portion of chicken strips I had as a starter wouldn't have fed a budgie. Karen had a Griddled Chicken Breast with Lemon and Lime. The chicken itself was okay (you squashed the lemon and lime over it) but frankly, Frankie, I could do better at home in fifteen minutes for under a quid. The chips that came with it were so pale they were almost transparent. My boy had a margherita pizza, easily the best choice out of all of us, big and generously topped with cheese. Lots of families in when we were there, but there is a bar area if you have to wait.
Cafe Uno, Clifford St, 624 474
We think this place serves the best cappuccinos in York, but they are a restaurant as opposed to a tea room and sometimes will only seat you if you're ordering food. Can't complain about that. Cafe Uno is nice and bright, they welcome children and their menu for both snacks and food is both varied and tasty. My current favourite is Penne with Pork and Leek Meatballs. Followed by a cappuccino. Or two.
Pizza Express, 17 Museum St, 672 904
Lovely restaurant, no doubt intended to take your mind off the fact that their pizzas are a bit on the small side if you're used to Pizza Hut, which I am. This place is trendier though. They serve pizzas and not much else, but they're always fresh cooked and appetising, although I think that they should allow you the option of building your own. I understand that they don't change their menu all that much, so sometimes you're ordering a pizza "without the eggplant and anchovies, please". We quite like the small dough balls with garlic butter that they serve as a starter, as does our boy. If you're male, check out the splendid Victorian bogs. If you're femail, check them out too. We won't complain.
La
Romantica, 14 Goodramgate, 636 236
There are another two Italian restaurants nearby, but this has the most character. You could also say that it's the most shabby too, but you're allowed to bring your own wine to get over the fact. We went in for their evening special of any pizza or pasta for £4.95, which was pretty good value. I wasn't very impressed, however, by the fact that although there was only one other table occupied they still managed to get my order wrong.
Roomy Italian restaurant on Walmgate, which can resist the temptation to squeeze as many seats as possible into the available space. There are many restaurants in York where you can find yourself sharing your meal, conversation, cigarette smoke, dandruff and who knows what else with five adjoining tables. The menu offered a varied selection of pizza, pasta, seafood, veal and pork dishes that was more extensive than many other Italians we've visited, and the food itself was better than average. They also have enough space at the front of the restaurant for you to enjoy a drink and study the menu before taking your seat. Definately one of York's better Italians.
Delrio's, 10 Blossom St, 622 695
Not advertised as "Italian", but "Sardinian". What's the difference? Is there "horse's head" on the menu? Fortunately not, and although I'm still not sure of what Sardinian cooking is all about, it was damn good. I ordered the distinctly non-Italian Sirloin Steak with Rosemary and it was superb, charcoal black on the outside, medium rare and juicy when I cut in. I often find that steaks are hit-and-miss in restaurants, either over-cooked or dehydrated from being in the freezer, but this was spot on. I was with three others who all raved about their dishes too. So thumbs up for the food. It's also quite an unusual restaurant in that it's downstairs and reminiscent of the Lendal Cellars with its low ceilings, brickwork and arches, but this means you've a chance of a secluded table and privacy to eat. I've been in York seven years, but this was the first time I'd visited this place, and am kicking myself over it - I'll be back soon.
Restaurant Bari, The Shambles, 633 087
Being situated on York's most renowned thoroughfare ensures that this place receives more than its fair share of tourists. It also suffers from the fault that many of the Italians in York do, namely squashing so many tables into a confined space that when you have parmesan sprinkled upon your pasta, another ten diners get to share it too. It also becomes stiflingly hot in the summer, although the door is kept open in turning hopeful diners away. I love Italian food, so am seldom disappointed by even average dishes and service, and the Bari is a restaurant that I've often returned to. It must be doing something right.
Silvanos, 2 Cumberland St, 625 036
One of the best thing about Silvanos is its central location down near the Ouse, which means there are plenty of nearby pubs to choose for a pre or post dinner drink. I also like its bright and cheerful interior, friendly staff and food that's reliably well prepared. I'd have to say there are no outstanding Italian restaurants in York and, being honest, its very hard to distinguish between any of them in terms of the food they offer. Silvanos doesn't disappoint on the basis of the meals I've had there, but none have been outstanding either. Or am I just ordering the wrong stuff?
Villa Italia, Micklegate, 670 501
Excellent thin pizza style garlic bread that I scoff in minutes means when the main course is served, I'm usually full up! The main body of the restaurant lies through the back so that you are thankfully shielded from the sights and sounds of Micklegate, and I reckon this place must be busy at the weekends. The decor tends to suggest this too, as it looks a bit scruffy and jaded in the daylight (which I noticed when dropping by for a lunchtime special). So concentrate on the food when you visit. Check their website by clicking here.
The first thing to
Ask for in this place is two portions of garlic bread - we asked if it
was pizza style garlic bread, were told yes, and were then served with
half one, so we had to order another.....
This restaurant is situated in the Assembly Rooms, very posh, and very
nicely laid out. It must be one of the smartest settings in the city,
but it means that it feels quite formal, like the dining room of the Savoy
or something. Garlic bread aside, the pasta dishes are tasty and substantial,
the pizzas very similar to those found in Pizza Express (small, tasty,
fancy toppings). Allegedly this is the fastest growing restaurant chain
in the country, but I left it wondering why, because it's not doing much
that's extra special.
This chain seems to have been around for years without changing too much. But maybe it should, because the menu isn't too exciting and I found myself scanning and scanning it in an effort to find something that little bit different. I ended up with Spaghetti Bolognaise - well, if there's nothing to grab the attention, may as well fall back on the old (cheaper!) favourites. It was pretty bland, to be honest, as was my wife's pasta with rocket and pesto. You find that with these chain restaurants though, that they have to appeal to the most people in order to please as many as they can. It's all right, but I'd recommend it more for a lunch or light afternoon meal as opposed to a night's dinner.
