Italy really does have all the big hitters in its culinary portfolio. There’s pizza, pasta, seafood, coffee, cheese, gelato… We really could go on and on.
We’re not left wanting when it comes to Italian food in this city, either, but as we all know, not all restaurants are created equal.
Spaccanapoli has enjoyed a solid reputation over the past few years and despite other venues opening-up around the city, the highly-regarded venue still holds its ground. People will always have their favourite haunts but when it comes to Italian food, Spaccanapoli comes up in conversation remarkably often.
So we arrive at the homely Italian restaurant with high expectations and expectating a meal worth bragging about.If we’re being cruel we’d say that the decor could do with an improvement or some sort of upgrade, but it’s not all about the interiors when dining out.
However, there’s a general feeling that the venue could do with a little bit of love to make it look its best. Let’s just say it’s looking rustic, like the food coming out of the kitchen.
As we take a look at the menu a bread tray arrives at the table and we snatch a foccacia and some freshly made olive rolls.
The bread is excellent and with the sweet, roasted garlic and excellent black olive tapenade slathered on you might be tempted to just gorge yourself on this. But you shouldn’t.
The mozzarella salad is simple, and it’s hard to go wrong with so few ingredients. Segments of fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato, basil and a smudge of pesto hit the spot and disappear quickly.
The tuna carpaccio is fresh and light but is sadly underseasoned. The accompanying olives and rocket help lift the dish but in truth it lacks a bit of flavour.
Seeing a pizza go past the table convinces us to order one, and we plump for the dello chef option. We are pretty hard to please when it comes to pizza, but this is a stonebaked thing of beauty. A rich combo of creamy burrata, fragrant truffle and buttery lobster make it inarguably indulgent but incredibly satisfying.
The prawn and asparagus ravioli is equally enjoyable but the pizza truly steals the show.
Overall, you can get good Italian food here, and excellent pizza, but it could do with a bit of love out front, too.
WHAT IS IT…
A popular long-standing Italian restaurant
WHY GO…
The stonebaked pizzas are a thing of beauty
