A word or two if I may about a fabulous Italian eatery I was treated to recently. Really, we know every second restaurant you see nowadays is attempting Italian, but to my mind the original San Carlo in Manchester comes pretty close to not only serving the best Italian food outside of Italy, but also heaps of charm too.
I say original San Carlo, as this restaurant empire has almost become a brand, branching out across all of the UK and indeed the world in some pretty swanky and at times exotic locations. But it is the original, perched on a little street in the centre of Manchester that delivered a pretty marvellous dining experience for me.
Immediately the atmosphere hits you when you walk in. It is a different realm the second you go through the door. The place was packed, the atmosphere was electric and constant, possibly even tending slightly toward overwhelming and claustrophobic with the amount of people coming and going, but once you are seated it is like you are both cocooned in your own little compartment and also perched on a your own little section within the giant honeycomb hive of activity that is San Carlo.
Service-wise the San Carlo team are very impressive. Ever-moving, constantly active, moving like a blur often, but also extremely well drilled in their service method and well-versed in the very extensive but highly readable and desirable menu.
Which brings me onto the food, which as you can imagine was pretty much perfectly executed and delicious. As I said the menu was extremely varied and extensive but any remotely self-respecting foodie could order anything off it. My particular three courses were sublime. I started with the most unusual gnocchi I've ever had; potato based and deep fried served with a richly indulgent truffle sauce. Main was a very well cooked veal dish. Followed by a delectably light, flavoured and well baked cheesecake.
Truly I cannot fault any of the fare at all, and I well and truly dare anyone else to even consider trying.
So in conclusion, if you want to get not only a true taste of the best Italian this side of Tuscany, but also a spectacularly well run restaurant in its own right - San Carlo remains the one to beat for a place to eat.
