Crunch & Munch thro' a Fabulous Brunch

This is a slightly amended version of my eponymous tripadvisor review.

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A couple of Thursdays ago, my house-mate drove himself, myself and our Costa Rican house-guest to Chester, a mediæval walled city built over the Roman settlement of Deva. Our first stop after parking centrally was ‪Carluccio‬'s for a late breakfast cum early lunch, hence brunch. None of us had ever sampled the chain's breakies previously.

 

[Image description: © Carluccio's, the said breakfast with juice & coffee]

 

We tried several dishes. I had perfectly poached eggs (no excess water) on a slice of grilled, freshly baked, Italian-style bread along with deeply tasty mushrooms. This was accompanied by pancetta (the Italian & Spanish version of bacon) which had curled into delicious pig-tails. Also on the plate was a small sausage, but as the chef could not guarantee that I might not have an allergic reaction to same, I donated it to my house-mate who wolfed it down along with his own. The lovely waitress whilst apologetic also offered me an extra egg or more pancetta if I so wished. However, for my appetite, there was a sufficiency on the plate.

 

[Image description: © Carluccio's, the listing from the menu for the "Magnifica"]

 

The considerate waitress also pointed out to us that we could enjoy the breakfast deal which for a mere £2 more than the set breakfast included a juice AND a coffee. Super value thus, at a tenner apiece. All three of our plates returned to the kitchen emptied of everything but the tell-tale marks of consumed foodstuffs!

For our house-guest & myself, we ordered Bellinis. Carluccio's version contains peach juice, liqueur and Prosecco. Not bad; but a tad acidic on the palate. However, I personally create a better Bellini than the aforementioned! ;)

Whilst Pâtisserie Valerie's offerings are good (I have consumed inter alia in London, Liverpool, Chester & Manchester), those at Carluccio's are excellent.

My only criticism, was that for the first time on entering this particular branch, and even though there were plenty of staff and not many customers, we had to wait a wee while to be asked to be shown to table. A minor inconvenience.

On this occasion I had no need to use the facilities; but from previous experience I can confirm there is a disabled W.C. accessible step-free.

If one intends to visit the Chester branch at peak times, I advise booking as it quickly fills up despite having a very large number of covers.

Additionally, before departing, one has the opportunity to purchase from the in-house delicatessen. Oh, all those yummy goodies - such temptation! %D

 

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The lovely folk at Carluccio's were kind enough to respond to my review and confirm their sausages are safe for me to nosh! Hurrah! %P

"Hi Colin

Thank you so much for taking the time to review your visit for brunch on Thursday morning. I would like to let you know for future reference that our sausages are fine for you to eat; I rang our supplier on Thursday morning while you were having breakfast but unfortunately did not get the information back until you had left. I will also be sure to remind our staff to keep their eye on the door at all times so as to make your visit even better!! We hope to see you again next time you are in Chester!
Thank you so much!
Emma
Chester@carluccios.com"

 

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Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be taken for an early dinner to my default Carluccio's and indeed restaurant in Hale (Altrincham, Cheshire). It's too soon for me to write another review, so I am adding here that the Chef's Special Ravioli al Limone, confirmed made by hand in-restaurant, is the best pasta I, or my companion, have ever tasted, eaten, ravished - it was absolutely divine!

[Image description: "Ravioli al Limone"]

The pasta itself was so light. No hint of stodginess whatsoever - take heed certain well-known "Italian" restaurant chains! Rather than being overstuffed like a Chesterfield sofa, as at nigh on all British supermarkets, the Ricotta cheese was like the filling to an after-dinner mint. The toasted pine-kernels are a perfect combination: nether overpowering the lemon sauce nor vice versa.

 

Only available through August, so sample it whilst still on the menu! %PPP

 

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