Trend Magazine Review
by Carol Brown
Published in the Trend Magazine: March 2009

Ciao Napoli is housed over two levels in a granite townhouse providing two contrasting areas: the wood-panelled and more intimate street level, and the bright basement which was soon buzzing early on the Saturday evening.

We needed time to ponder the menu to take in the wide range of starters, pasta, meat and fish dishes. I'm a great fan of southern Italian white wines, so was pleased to see a Falanghina Del Benevento IGT 2007 from Antica Hiepinia on the totally Italian wine list, which covered many recognisable Italian regions. With scents of sweet almond and ripe melon, it was fresh and lemon zesty and proved to be a good partner for the seafood fest that I'd decided on.

They were happy to oblige with my request to have one of the pasta dishes as a starter, and I really enjoyed my agnolotti all'aragosta – four plump lobster-filled pasta parcels, cooked perfectly al-dente with a creamy brandy sauce topped with king prawns. The intensity of hubby’s slow-roasted peppers with buffalo mozzarella and rocket was also a winner.

I'd chosen the 'catch of the day' – a flavourful platter of salmon, king prawns and sea bass grilled with garlic butter and seasoned with black pepper and chilli. I loved the lemony dressing on the accompanying salad.

It was pasta all round for the rest of the table. Younger son declared the lasagne one of the best he's had – and he’s tried lots of lasagne! Elder son had a rich garlicky tagliatelle carbonara, and hubby the tagliatelle buongustaia, a flavourful comforting dish of chicken, tomato, mascarpone, peas and mushrooms.

Refreshing lemon sorbet and a tartufo nero (chocolate ice cream surrounding zabaglione) finished the meal.

Great food accompanied by speedy, friendly service mean that a return to Ciao Napoli is certain.

Review By Scott Begbie, published in the Evening Express: 23/05/2008