the UK based Restaurant and Hotel Review

 What a refreshing change for the City - a  top quality restaurant that is actually good value. Hot on the heels of their successes with their new Deli Caffé concept, Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio have just opened in Smithfield, just across the road from the excellent Club Gascon.   Don't be confused by the word Caffé though. While the formula remains the same, (first class delicatessen in the front, followed by somewhere to eat), this is actually much smarter than that as it has proper restaurant style seating, including the brilliant idea of a club table where, if you should want such a thing, laptops are not frowned upon.   

The menu is short but there's more than enough to choose from and it's really outstanding value. You will probably want to start with the antipasto misto at around £5-6 a head (stunning salamis, roast caponata, ham and the best olives I have ever had), followed by the Risotto ai funghi at under £10.(The stock used for this was perfection.) 

From the wine list, the Salice Salentino at £16.75 is another bargain. I also was rather tempted by the Cotolette di Maile alla Valdostana, (pork chops stuffed with Fontina Cheese) and I know that when I take my wife here she is going to go for the Cioccalate Fiorentino - hot chocolate you can eat!   

Do try this place. The beauty of it is that is open 8-11 Mon-Fri, 11-11 Sat and 11-10 Sunday for breakfast, snack, outside catering in the office or serious lunch or dinner at brilliant, affordable prices

CARLUCCIO'S, 12 WEST SMITHFIELD, LONDON EC1

Tel: 020 7329 5904 Fax: 020 7248 5981 email: smithfield@carluccios.com

See Clifford Mould's review of the new Kingston Charter Quay Carluccio's

In the West End: Carluccio's at Fenwick, New Bond Street, London W1 020 7629 0699

Carluccio's Caffé, 8 Market Place, London W1

The Neal Street Restaurant, 26 Neal Street, Covent Garden, London WC2   020 7836 8368

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