Best Italian in Liverpool
The Italian Club restaurant in Liverpool’s Bold Street is certainly one of the cities hidden gems – or is it? Seen’s Rebecca Keegan paid a visit to find out what all the whispering about this eatery was all about.
I wouldn’t exactly call it a hidden gem – after all, I’ve heard numerous people mention the name ‘The Italian Club’ in conversation of preferred city restaurants. I’ve never been though, possibly because my general base is Chapel Street at the opposite side of town.
When I was invited to try out the menu one lunchtime though, a plan was laid out. Do some shopping up the ever trendy Bold Street, go for lunch and continue to shop with a full stomach – but it didn’t quite work out that way.
After some browsing, a few buys and a few wish list items noted in the shops, I entered the Italian Club with my lunch companion expecting a bustling restaurant filled with shoppers taking rest bite and shelter. What I was in fact greeted by was a smiling hostess and although the restaurant was busy, it wasn’t ‘bustling’. There was a relaxed atmosphere, everyone had their food at their table, maybe a few glasses of lunchtime wine here and there but overall it seemed calm – very European.
We were seated immediately and our drinks order taken. Perusing the menu wasn’t an easy feat. Although it was laid out clearly (badly designed menus are a bizarre pet hate of mine) all the pickings sounded fantastic, and it took me a little longer than usual to choose a starter and main course as the choice was vast, certainly satisfying for even the most fussy of eaters (which I’m not!).
I decided upon a starter of Suppli Di Riso (Sicilian rice balls with Bolognese sauce and mozzarella garnishes with side salad) and a main course of Ravioli Ai Ricotta E Spinaci v (Oven baked pasta parcels filled with ricotta cheese and spinach topped with mozzarella and parmesan.)
My companion, who does happen to be a fussy eater opted for the more traditional starter of Garlic bread and for main course Lasagne Al Forno (Layers of fresh pasta with 100 % beef Bolognese sauce, homemade béchamel sauce topped with mozzarella and parmesan).
Are you hungry yet?
The starters took about 15 minutes to arrive, which in Liverpool restaurant time might seem long, but it does state on the menu next to certain selections (mine included) that a few extra minutes will be required to prepare the dish. It was worth the wait. As a very hungry diner I wasn’t disappointed. The rice balls with bolognese were delicious and had I not such a huge appetite possibly sufficed as a main meal! My companion’s garlic bread was moist, tasty and not too much – but there was enough for her to save to eat with her main course.
The wait between the starters and mains wasn’t long at all, but not too short that we couldn’t let our stomachs have time to settle.
The ricotta cheese and spinach Ravioli I ordered for my main course was delicious. Topped with mozzarella it was rich yet surprisingly light and very easy to eat. The problem I often find with Ravioli pasta is the filling units. Often it’s not enough of over stuffed but at the Italian Club the chef has got it just right. The combination of fresh cheese with the spinach was perfect and in a large dish was more than enough!
My companion described her Lasagne as ‘one of the best I’ve ever tasted’. High praise indeed from a fussy eater who always orders the same thing. She said the béchamel sauce had a tangy twist which she hadn’t encountered before, and it made the dish.
It was after the fantastic meal that my well made plan went wrong. I had eaten so much that for a good half an hour I couldn’t move! It’s happened to us all at some point, you know when something tastes so good that no matter how full up you are you just want to eat even more? Then you physically can’t more in fear of toppling straight to the floor with the weight in your stomach.
This gave me a chance to have a look around the restaurant though and I have to say, at a glance I was very impressed., With beautiful and extravagant wall art, well laid out tables and a fantastic use of space, the owners of the restaurant have made it homely yet spacious.
It’s suitable for everyone. There were some families in there, a couple who looked like they were on a date, four women having what seemed like a ‘girls’ lunch’ and a man sitting alone comfortably enjoying a meal and a glass of wine with a book in hand.
The Italian Club doesn’t just offer great food (and might I say fantastic customer service), it offers escapism from the hustle and bustle of the real world. You could easily have stepped into a stylish Piazza restaurant where you will be given a warm welcome, a friendly smile and most importantly, you will be well fed. Just don’t plan to go shopping after the meal as trying on clothes will be impossible!
As the famous Italian Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” And at The Italian Club they seem to live by this motto. Nothing fake, nothing over done, just great service and excellent food.
Meal total cost for two people £23.90
Overall review score – 10/10 – Now I know what all the fuss is about
http://www.theitalianclubliverpool.co.uk/