Italian restaurant Carluccio’s launched their Christmas menu on November 17th, seasonal food running right through December. A festive feast of Italian fare, a selection of Christmas products are also available online and in store. StyleNest recently headed to Carluccio’s in Newcastle, sampling their delicious and authentic Italian menu.
Stylishly placed on Grey Street near the Theatre Royal, we meandered down to the restaurant. Met by a warm and welcoming waiting team, the vibrant atmosphere exuded Christmas charm. Once seated, we had a look at the lunch menu before tucking into Focaccia All’Aglio, at the waiter’s wise suggestion. We shared this tasty chargrilled garlic bread whilst waiting for our starters, and it was a lovely, relaxing way to kick off our lunch. Insalata di Mozzarella was the perfect finish to the focaccia, a light mozzarella salad with cherry tomatoes, capers, rocket, fresh herbs and seasoned oil. Enjoying a mushroom risotto for the main, the Italian hospitality continued throughout each course. When in Rome, an Italian pudding has to be a top priority so Tiramisu seemed a natural choice. This scrumptious dessert comprised Savoiadi biscuits, soaked in espresso and finished off with coffee liqueur plus mascarpone and chocolate.
Our food was from the classic Carluccio’s menu as we visited prior to the official Christmas menu launch, although we were given a hint of festive proceedings with chocolate tasters from their in store Christmas shop. Brightly decorated, and a treat for both kids and adults alike, this felt a charming finishing touch to our visit.
Items on the Christmas menu immediately catching our eye include pumpkin risotto, pasta parcels stuffed with prosciutto and rich chocolate torte served with raspberry coulis. From their Christmas shop, the Carluccio’s Panettone, an Italian part-bread part-cake seasonal symbol, seems an ideal Christmas indulgence. Finished off with a glass of Grappa e Bicchierini, the Christmas spirit will be flowing.
Always a family friendly place to visit, the Carluccio’s Christmas menu is the perfect excuse to assemble kids, grandparents and the wider family for traditional Italian ambience and deliciously festive food.
The three course Christmas menu starts at £22 per person, including a glass of Prosecco. A four course Christmas meal, complete with crackers at the table, pasta crisps and Prosecco is priced at £32 per person.
Click here to see StyleNest’s roundup of the best Christmas decorations from Etsy