Carluccio's...a taste of Tuscany (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Carluccio's...a taste of Tuscany

9:52am Thursday 7th February 2008 in

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FOR my first restaurant review I was invited to Carluccio's Cafe in St Albans.

Much to the disappointment of my fellow colleagues, unaccountably eager to accompany me on this particular dinner date, I asked my friend Kirsten to be my guest.

With an experienced and finely tuned palette, she seemed the perfect candidate to join me on my debut review - particularly as my taste buds daren't let me venture beyond Pizza Express and a good ole Margherita pizza.

Stepping into the restaurant in Christopher Place I immediately recalled my trip to Tuscany and some of the region's quaint little eating houses.

Carluccio's successfully captures the setting of a classic Italian eatery with the deli and it's selection of traditonal foods out front and an adjoining candlelit restaurant.

On arrival we were promptly shown to our table by a friendly waitress who introduced herself as Beatrice.

Our feast began with a selection of traditional Italian home-baked bread and oil served with a helping of olives dressed in herbs.

Hot on its heels was an antipasto sharer combo complete with roasted pesto peppers, buffallo mozzarella, artichoke hearts and a fresh green bean salad.

"What's the food like?" I asked my friend, expecting a litany of criticisms.

But, to my surprise, she said: "It's only fault is it's too good and I put on two pounds last week."

With expanding waist lines on the brain we searched the menu for a healthy main course, but found ourselves disappointed by the lack of light options.

Perhaps avoid this restaurant if trying to combat the belly bulge - there is little choice in salads and healthy dishes, but an extensive range of appetizing, if fattening, fried mains and rich pastas.

The menu is also a little limited in dishes, but the quality of the food definitely compensates for that minor flaw - maybe a pizza for all those carb junkies out there wouldn't go amiss.

I opted for the Insalata Contadina, a tossed salad of smoked chicken, potatoes, green beans and roasted peppers. The small portion was certainly enough to satisfy me after over-indulging in starter nibbles, but I think someone looking forward to a substantial main would be disappointed if my meal had been set down in front of them.

I looked on enviously at my friend's pan-fried sea bass served with sauteed potatoes and a side of buttered spinach.

It smelt heavenly and after hinting for a taster I was begrudgingly allowed to tuck in.

Each course was delivered so promptly by our attentive waitress we had to request a break before desert to rest our bloated stomachs.

To finish our meal I ordered a sinful but delectable chocolate bread and butter pudding with vanilla cream - I just couldn't resist. And after much deliberation over the choice of mouth-watering desserts Kirsten ordered the classic tiramisu.

The meal was pleasantly rounded off with a cafe latte and espresso coffee.

Despite feeling dumpy and round we couldn't help but take a peek at the deli on our way out and the romantic treats Carluccio's has on sale for Valentine's Day including chocolate roses and a freshly prepared hamper for two.

• What do you think? Have you eaten in Carluccios? Do you agree with Alex? Tell us below.