- Oliver's Eating Out section
and the chef joins in the jolly chorus.
Salvo's Otley Road , Headingley, Leeds .
At this long-established Italian restaurant one feels that waiters, waitresses and the chef are enjoying themselves just as heartily as the customers do.
It is one long, jolly sing-song, to the rhythm of the loudly piped music which blares out tunes ranging from old Italian favourites to Colonel Bogey. Even the chef, as he pummels his pizzas joins in the choruses. Friendliness is supreme.
It is around 7pm , mid-week when we arrived and the place was so full that we were asked if we would mind sharing a table?
It's all part of the fun to chat with other diners. For half our meal our companions were an archaeological student and his girl-friend, who is reading for a music degree. Their places were then taken by a mother from Suffolk who was visiting her student son to celebrate his graduation in civil engineering. Other tables were filled with families of all ages.
The menu comprises around 50 dishes, and extra specialities are chalked on a black-board. There was always someone on hand to help with the choices: one can have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. There is no recognised pattern.
Despite the hectic hustle there was no pressure on us to hurry. Indeed, the staff insisted frequently that we must take our time.
We shared a litre of medium dry house wine, smooth and pleasing, at £4.50 and after an hour and a half of interesting eating, picked up a bill for £17.
My starter of Spiedino Di Pollo (£1.90) comprised several pieces of chicken char-grilled on skewers and served with a rich barbecue sauce and a small salad.
My companion chose to make a meal of two substantial starters. The first, Gamberi Allo Champagne (£2.10) was a generous helping of hot prawns sauted with a rich champagne and mushroom sauce. It, too, had an accompanying small salad.
We asked for a second basket of bread to absorb the piquant sauces, and this was cheerfully forthcoming.
Sogliola Walewska, my companion's second starter (£2.40) was fillet of sole filled deliciously with prawns and cooked in a most palatable sauce of crab and white wine and cream. A mixed side salad was 60p.
I chose a main course from the pasta section a substantial dish of Tagliatelle alla Lucy (£2.30), with a sauce of ham, mushrooms, peas and cream.
Sweets, displayed in a large cabinet, are made on the premises and changed daily. We chose a chocolate and whisky cake and a mandarin coffee gateau (as light as a feather) at s total cost of £2.40. Both helpings were large, with liberal pourings from the cream jug. Coffee in large cups was 40p.
Pizzas or pastas for children are £1.25. A 10 per cent service charge is added to parties of six or more.
The restaurant, simply and functionally furnished, is closed on Sundays.
Star ratings
++++ (4)
+++++ (5)
++++ (4)
+++++ (5)
+++++ EXCELLENT ++++ VERY GOOD +++ GOOD ++ AVERAGE + POOR |
