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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With Love from Manchester to Brussels

[Image description: different races' hands wrapped around the globe; © & courtesy Alan blog]

Yesterday, I needed to know my Belgian friends were safe and sound. I know, I'm a terrible worrier. I suppose as in situations like this one in Brussels, Ankara, Paris, etc. it makes me feel so impotent.

 

[Image description: destruction in Manchester; courtesy Wikipedia]

Of course it also brings back memories of when Manchester was bombed in 1996. In those days most of us did not have mobiles (& obviously no internet, no facebook, no instant-messaging) and the telephone system, as happened in Brussels, could not cope.

My father was frantic as I used to take my nephew into the city every Saturday. Thankfully, we were saved due to it being my Grandma's birthday: I had taken the wee one to see his great-grandmother with a little gift to Hale, a suburb approximately nine miles/fourteen kilometres from the city centre. We heard the resounding and powerful boom. And then the awful silence. I shall never forget it.

Nor shall I forget just how much I cared for my loved-ones at that moment; indeed, for all Life.

I am a pacifist and wholeheartedly believe that violence only begets further violence. We have to sit down and talk and not walk away from our enemies until we can thrash out solutions.

Please, let's give Peace a chance.

♡

Carluccio's in Hale (Altrincham), Cheshire: a Review

I have been an habitué of Carluccio's for years: initially visiting branches in London; then, with their diaspora throughout the kingdom, the Trafford Centre restaurant became my eatery-of-choice. However, as a resident of Altrincham, I was thrilled when on 29th August 2014 what was the American Grill in Hale re-opened after a thorough refurbishment as my local Carluccio's.

Initially I felt somewhat disloyal to the Trafford Centre outlet, which had served me so well for several years, but very quickly settled in to the new one. The staff from the launch have all been affable, professional and always with a can-do attitude.

When in England, I average a visit approximately every four to six weeks. In all the meals, I have not once had reason to complain. Nor has chef tried to kill me by failing to take account of my serious food allergy. I love the food so much, that I generally tuck in as soon as it is served and have thus missed the opportunity to photograph the dishes and so write a review. On my last visit I ensured I had camera to hand and all plates were preserved for posterity.

[Image description: my chum at table]

On this occasion I was not in my wheelchair. However, the step-free entrance has double-doors that swing outwards providing ample room for access and there are plenty of tables on the lower level at which a wheelchair can be accommodated. I have never needed to use the conveniences, so cannot aver whether or not there is a disabled WC.

The ever amiable maître d', Antipodean Matthew, greeted us and showed us to table. Pleasantries and memories of our ultimate visit were exchanged. His selection was perfectly acceptable, but there is no snootiness here about requesting an alternative if one should prefer same. Menus were proffered and a few moments later the English sommelier-waiter was over to take our drinks order. In some ways my companion and I are creatures of habit, as we invariably plumb for a glass of fine Prosecco as our apéritif of choice here.

Rico selected the "bread tin" (@ £4.50) with dipping oil for his starter [top image] and I the chicken liver pâté (@ £5.95) served with lightly toasted ciabatta and red onion marmalade [bottom image]. The latter was smooth, creamy & delicious, but also very generous; so there was sufficient to share with my comrade. Every scrap of pâté and every crumb of bread was wolfed down. Mmmmm… REAL bread! The Prosecco complimented the spread with no flavours overpowered or subverted.

My first choice of mains, venison tortelloni (@ £9.50) was off bounds to me due to my allergy, so I opted instead for Milanese di pollo (@ £11.95) served with green salad [upper image]. My chum chose the chicken saltimbocca (@ £13.50) which came with rosemary & garlic roasted potatoes [lower image]. My driver had to settle for sparkling water; but I had a superb glass of sparkling red Lambrusco, Vecchia Modena - absolutely divine! Once again our plates were returned to the kitchen scraped clean.

We were far too full to take dessert there; so, whilst my friend paid the bill (£45 for two two-course meals, three alcoholic drinks and two bottles of water), I popped into the attached deli [image above] to pick up some delicacies. The lovely, Spanish bar-keep also serves as the shop assistant. I selected from the choice of Valentine's Day specialities [images below]…

Thus far we have noshed on the love-bears (recalling fond memories of school-day "chocolate concrete") and the shortbread & the chocolate heart-shaped biscuits. Yet again delicious - and not overly sweet, as many British confections tend to be. We are yet to consume the raspberry meringues and the cupcake, but anticipate that they will taste equally gorgeous.

Do I recommend Carluccio's in Hale? Hell yes! %DDD

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Please note that there are two towns named Hale in Cheshire. The site of Carluccio's is in Altrincham.