Manchester, Italian Restaurant Guide

Limited feedback this year on this glam Italian occupying one of the city-centre’s fine listed Victorian buildings. It’s well-known in these parts thanks to celeb owner, Rio Ferdinand.

A “vibrant atmosphere (especially good for a group)” helps underpin the appeal of these “glitzy and lively” spin-offs from the San Carlo national chain of glam Italians, whose most central branch – just off Piccadilly Circus – is decked out with “marble tables and stylish chandeliers”. “Very tasty small plates” that are inspired by Venetian “cicchetti” are “served speedily”. In late 2021, they are due to open a second Knightsbridge branch, just across the road from Harrods.

The larger, warehouse-y Ancoats spin-off to the popular Altrincham original is “an exceptionally good place for dinner”, based on “the freshest, tastiest pasta you can imagine” and wine “served in delightful ceramic jugs” – “great fun” by all accounts.

Launched in 2019, this “German/Austrian-by-way-of-Japan and under-the-arches spot” near Victoria Station is well “worth the wait” (snagging a table in the pint-sized 12-seater being quite the effort) for its European pasta and dumplings, including in-house speciality spätzle alongside pierogi etc. Expect an eclectic experience that's “paired weirdly well with sake… then schnapps!”.