Crouch Hill, Italian - Restaurant Guide

This “professionally run market-town restaurant” in a distinguished historic townhouse “delivers on its promise, with well-cooked and presented” Italian dishes, mainly fish and seafood. Previously a fixture on the pier (‘molo’ in Italian) at Weymouth, the business transferred four years ago to a landmark 15th-century building most famous as the lodging for ‘hanging judge’ George Jeffreys during the 1685 treason trials that followed the failed Monmouth rebellion against James II.

2022 Review: With no social media presence as yet, and a hard-to-find name (lots of search results for Carluccio's – not helped by the fact that this location used to be one, and even repurposes the sign), we are presuming that Luciano Pierre White is relying on word of mouth – and his famous name – to get punters into his first solo restaurant. He's worked with Pierre Koffmann and the Adria brothers according to press quotes, and his father credits him with a great work ethic. An early-doors visit from a reporter noted it to be ‘very promising’ and another thought ‘the food’s great and the service will only improve’.

A menu of Italian small plates confounds expectations at this traditional Grade II listed 16th-century pub opposite the Abbey, where West Country ingredients are converted into a very wide choice of pizzette and pasta (all made in-house). You are advised to order two to three dishes each. Top Tip – Menu del Giorno lunch for two at £16 per person, served for tables up to 6, available Tuesday to Friday lunchtimes, 12pm to 2pm, and on Happy Wednesdays (4th Wednesday night of the month).