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After scores of television appearances and no fewer than twelve recipe books, Antonio Carluccio is probably the most well-respected Italian chef in the country. In the early 90s Antonio and his wife decided they would open a shop which would allow gourmands to source authentic Italian ingredients to use in their own cooking. Since then, no fewer than 30 Carluccio’s Caffes have sprung up across the south, offering dishes cooked to the celebrity chef’s own recipes and the opportunity to find authentic Italian ingredients in the food shops which run alongside the restaurants.
Manchester is the first city in the north to play host to the brand and, as if to make up for lost time, 2 Carluccio’s Caffes opened within a few months of each other in 2007; one at the Trafford Centre and one in the new Spinningfields district. Both offer an identical menu but for atmosphere we’d recommend the Spinningfields venue over the cavernous Trafford Centre site every time.
Prices are very reasonable with a dish of Carluccio’s signature Pasta con Funghi at only £6.95 and a rib-eye steak with rosemary potatoes and marinated vegetables coming in at under £14. Even the salads and antipasti have been thought through with care, and include decadent sharing platters and unusual salads alongside the calamari and tomato, basil and mozzarella salads.
The deli counters do make you feel less inclined to linger than you might in a traditional restaurant and neither the Trafford Centre nor the Spinningfields venue is what you might call cosy. However, for a working lunch or a catch-up with friends, you may find Carluccios Caffe is a new favourite.
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