Latest news with #ItalianFood
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'The arancini are decent and the fritto misto is OK. Will I be coming back? No': TOM PARKER BOWLES
'The food tells a story, the cocktails keep it interesting, the vibe is effortlessly relaxed yet unmistakably electric.' Now, I'm all for letting the food do the talking, but do I really want to hear a dreary tale of its hopes, aspirations and dreams? As to the 'vibe'? I'll be the judge of that, old boy. But this is 'our story', according to Nina, a perfectly decent Marylebone Italian that's apparently massive on social media. Hey-ho. I'm lunching with Fay Maschler, not so much the doyenne of food critics as the Queen Empress, and we agree that the room is unremarkable, the atmosphere more battery-powered than 'electric'. Service is professional enough but can verge on the intrusive. We're endlessly interrupted mid-conversation, asking if we're ready to order. You get the feeling that this is a place where tables are expected to turn quickly. Which never makes for a civilised long lunch. Empty plates, too, tend to linger disconsolately as the new mains are plonked down beside them. But it's early days, and these things can be ironed out. Arancini are densely decent, filled with stringily oozing taleggio, with a crisp, grease-free crust. Focaccia, oily, charred and airily light, is better still, topped with intensely sweet tomato and draped with good anchovies. Beef carpaccio tonnato is equally fine, the paper-thin slices of beef hewn from a superior beast, and smothered in a flurry of parmesan. The tonnato, though, is more dressing than sauce, slathered over an excess of rocket hidden within. Fritto misto is OK, the fish spankingly fresh, but the batter a touch dense. Spaghetti, taut and properly cooked, has a tomato sauce with just the right balance of sweetness and acidity. Rigatoni cacio e pepe is authentically, stridently salty, a whole egg yolk adding lustre and holding the dish in a softly concupiscent embrace. Pecorino adds its usual sheepy sharpness, and there's a good blast of pepper, too. This is a kitchen that knows its cipolle. But would we come back? No. What Nina lacks is that all-essential, oh-so-elusive heart and soul. A quality that is made, not bought. Lunch is a joy not because of the food but the company. We skip pudding, gulp an espresso and make haste out the door. Nina is not a place for those who want to linger.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
We tried Cecconi's at Soho House and this what we thought
Italian food with views across the sea, what's not to love? When I heard that Cecconi's at Soho House was opening their doors to non-members, I was keen to give it a try and it was a happy day when they invited me over to sample their menu. Cecconi's has sixteen venues across the globe, with several of their restaurants having reportedly hosted some of the biggest names in the celebrity world. A restaurant chain approved by the A listers; I had high expectations. And I must say I was not disappointed. The restaurant's interior (Image: The Argus Staff) Cecconi's Brighton venue is tucked away, just off Marine Parade, and looks to bring a slice of Northern Italy to Brighton's seafront. The restaurant features both indoor and outdoor dining, with a large terrace area offering panoramic views across the beach and a fantastic spot to watch the sunset on a summers evening. We took a seat at a table next to the window, where we began our evening with a drink. I went for the apple and honey mocktail which was both refreshing and the perfect alcohol alternative. I was particularly impressed by the number of options for alcohol-free cocktails, something which can often be limited at a lot of restaurants. For starters, we decided to share some calamari, a dish which was clearly popular among diners as we saw many the dish brought out throughout the evening. Calamari, alongside the honey and apple mocktail (Image: The Argus Staff) As someone who can be a little bit fussy when it comes to seafood, the calamari was delicious. The fish was not chewy and the battered coating was really flavoursome, pairing perfectly with the aioli dip. The portion size was also very generous, and having already indulged in some focaccia offered on entry, I was conscious to not spoil my main meal. For main course, I chose the buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and basil pizza. There was a good amount of cheese, and you could taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients used. Our main course (Image: The Argus Staff) My dining partner chose the pork chop with borlotti beans and gremolata, with a side of chips. The piece of pork was huge, the meat very tender with a lovely taste. The beans also complimented the dish well. By this point, I must admit I was feeling a little defeated by the level of carbs I had consumed. However, the temptation of at least looking over the dessert menu was too much. Easily persuaded, and taking a recommendation from staff, we ordered the choux bun. The giant pastry came with caramel ice cream, alongside a huge gravy boat filled with chocolate which you able to able to pour over the top. Hidden inside the profiterole you could also find rhubarb, which added a lovely sharpness to the rich, chocolaty flavours. The choux bun (Image: The Argus Staff) I can see why it's a favourite among customers, just thinking about it is making me hungry! Overall, my experience at Cecconi's was faultless. The food was delicious, topped off by the fantastic service and relaxing atmosphere. Staff had a really great understanding of what the restaurant had to offer and were consistently on hand to offer advice and recommendations. The food was of a really high standard, and although slightly pricier than other places in the city, I feel that the product you receive is good value and worth that little extra. If you are looking for a new restaurant to try this weekend with seafront views and impeccable service, Cecconi's is definitely worth a visit.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - A meal in Casa Vostra
CNA938 Rewind Play Is authentic Italian food that does not burn a hole through your wallets, too good to be true? The answer is no - and the snaking queues outside Casa Vostra may be a testament to that. Cheryl Goh explores how Chef-Owner Antonio Miscellaneo is serving up food with elements from his childhood and his mother's love and recipes.
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: Jon & Vinny's
A slice of Los Angeles flair has landed on Prince Sultan Street in Jeddah with the arrival of Jon & Vinny's, a lively eatery drawing crowds with its take on Italian comfort food. The restaurant, located in La Paz Plaza, has a warm, energetic ambiance with a setting that is modern yet relaxed, with high ceilings, wooden accents and a clean design palette dominated by shades of green. The showcase of their pizza boxes and a few quirky touches like neon signs add character to the space. Reservations are a must unless you are up for a long wait. Fortunately, they hand out coloring pencils and quirky food-themed sheets to help kill time, which is especially handy if you are dining with kids. The menu is straightforward but thoughtfully curated, starting with breakfast staples like a standout grilled ciabatta salad and tender braised Tuscan kale. Among the most talked-about dishes are the hand-tossed pizzas, with dough fermented for two days before hitting the oven. The Bronx Bomber, topped with fennel sausage, onions, garlic and herbs, is rich and rustic, while the Rosy keeps it simple with tomato and olive oil, elevated by an optional layer of parmigiano reggiano. Salads also hold their own on the menu, especially the caprese, featuring buffalo mozzarella and tomato vinegar, and the gem lettuce salad, dressed in a zesty Calabrian chili vinaigrette and finished with parmigiano reggiano as well as breadcrumbs. Pasta is made fresh in-house and ranges from a bold rigatoni slow-cooked in beef bolognese to a creamy, spicy fusilli with basil. Meat dishes like the garlic buffalo wings and chicken cutlet with lemon-dressed greens are decent, but they do not outshine the pastas or pizza. Dessert is not to be skipped. The hazelnut cafe bombolone was light yet indulgent, and the lemon ricotta cookie added a nice finish to the meal. In terms of cost, I expected it to be pricey, but it was fairly reasonable. A full meal for four, with dishes from each section, came to about SR300–350 ($80-93). For more, check Instagram @
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Feast of Saint Sebastian begins in Middletown
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Friday night kicked off the first night of the 'Feast of Saint Sebastian' in Middletown. The event runs through Sunday night and will feature tons of food and feast started back in 1921 by a group of Italian Catholics, and has made its way to East Court Street in Middletown, which is identified as Middletown's Italian commercial hub. 4th graders in Kensington hold lemonade stand to support local charities Organizers spoke to News8 to explain the appeal of the event. 'Just come down and enjoy this great event. There's some great food, great music to listen to,' Feast of Saint Sebastian Co-chairman Mario Mazzotta said. 'Come enjoy the great weather, and just say hello to us and give a great pair to St. Sebastian.' According to the U.S. census, Connecticut is the most Italian state in the nation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
