Carluccio's - Italian Restaurant Review in Bristol

Posted on: 2015-10-27

Our rating:

Carluccio's branches may have a standardised menu, but there is absolutely nothing standard about the cooking or the service that we experienced at the Bristol restaurant. I'm already planning my next visit.


 

I think it’s fair to say that when you eat at a restaurant that’s part of a chain, you take a bit of a gamble. For some chains, it means that they seem to work to the lowest common denominator; very little is cooked fresh with seemingly everything coming straight from packets. But then on the other hand, eating at a chain can mean consistently high quality; you know your favourite dish will taste the same at home, in another UK city, or even abroad. I’m not ashamed to say that there are a few chains that I absolutely love, and I’ll eat at one of those restaurants at least once or twice a month.

Carluccio's Italian in Bristol City Centre

My review today is of somewhere - a chain restaurant - that I’ve not tried before, and I’ll give you a little spoiler; we loved it. It’ll certainly be making the list of places we eat in central Bristol.

Carluccio’s is tucked into a corner of Quaker’s Friar. It is in a bright and modern building overlooking the square and the beautiful Baker’s and Cutler’s Halls buildings. It’s a lovely area, with a modern, fresh atmosphere. It houses some of Bristol’s most upmarket shops, and makes for a great spot for people watching.

You enter Carluccio’s through their deli, stocked with quintessential Italian staples, and then through to the open, bright dining area. We were seated in a lovely booth, looking out over the dining area and the square beyond. Something Carluccio’s do to set themselves apart from other chains is to be clear that everything on the menu is cooked in house, from scratch, so if there’s anything in a dish you want to change, that can be easily accommodated. As it happened, we were happy with everything to be served as is, but to have that option is really reassuring.

I started off my meal with one of my favourite cocktails- an espresso martini. Carluccio’s put their own twist on it by adding Frangelico, which added a gentle nuttiness. Not too sweet and really delicious.

Espresso Martini at Carluccio's in Bristol

As I’m still clinging on to the last remnants of our summer, I went for a starter that makes me think of sunshine and seashore restaurants; calamari. The portion size was just right, and the calamari crisp and tasty. Simon chose the chicken liver pate, which comes with toasted ciabatta and red onion jam. I’m not a huge fan of ciabatta; I usually find it a bit dry and dull. This was not the case here at all. Toasted on a chargrill, I think, it had an almost marshmallowy sweetness with a hint of smoke from the char. It was the perfect vessel for a thick layer of velvety pate and the onion jam. A very satisfying dish.

Calamari at Carluccio's in BristolChicken Liver Pate at Carluccio's in Bristol

We both went for fishy mains; I had the Lobster Spaghetti (with crab, crayfish, fresh tomato, basil and chilli) and Simon had the Zuppa Di Pesce, which is a fish stew. Both these dishes were fabulous; they taste like that smell you get when you’re abroad. You know - when you’re choosing somewhere for dinner based on some exquisite scent and you think, “whatever that smell is; that’s what I want to eat.” The flavours were fresh and bright and the seafood delicious. The lobster part of my meal was represented by two fat chunks of claw meat, and with a very generous portion of tasty little crayfish dotted throughout the pasta. The nature of crab meat means that it vanishes somewhat in a pasta dish, but the sunshiney seaside flavours were all there.  The Zuppa Di Pesce was also fabulous. I loved the subtle anise flavour and the generous portions of sea food. This dish was served with a slice of that lovely charred bread which soaked up the sauce a treat.

Lobster Pasta at Carluccio's in BristolFish Stew at Carluccio's in Bristol

For pudding, I had the Dolce Di Cioccolato, and Simon had something from the specials; poached saffron pears with mascarpone. I thought both dishes were lovely, but I must admit that I saw Simon’s heart sink a little when the pears arrived; it was, in fact, just one small pear, and a very small rosette of mascarpone. To give the pear its due; it did everything that it promised. It was tender and gently fragranced, and the mascarpone was pleasant and creamy. I really enjoyed the bit I tasted, but it’s a very light pudding, so if you’re looking for something a bit more decadent may I suggest my choice; the chocolate pudding with almonds and Kahlua. This pudding is a bit like a fondant’s cousin; no liquid centre, but very squidgy and moist, and the same rich and satisfying chocolaty hit.

Dolce Di Cioccolato at Carluccio's in BristolPoached Pear at Carluccio's in Bristol

Carluccio’s branches may have a standardised menu, but there is absolutely nothing standard about the cooking or the service that we experienced at the Bristol restaurant. I’m already planning my next visit, only this time I’ll be in charge of choosing the puddings…

5/5

Reviewed by Sarah Millington for 365 Bristol - The Bristol website where local information matters

Carluccio's, Quakers Friars, Bristol, BS1 3BU

Tel. 0117 933 8538

Web. www.carluccios.com or connect through Facebook and Twitter 



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.