Boston Spa has very quickly become a gastro hub with a variety of restaurants celebrating foods from around the globe. One of these restaurants is the ever-popular Trattoria Da Carlo on the High Street.
This traditional Italian restaurant was opened three years ago by Carlo Persico and his wife Edyta. Carlo is an Italian, born in Sorrento. At the age of just 17, he moved to England to pursue his passion for cooking which began at the tender age of just nine, when he was actually working in a restaurant. Carlo says he was inspired by his mother’s cooking and her ability to use flavours as a way of expressing her emotions. You can clearly see this when you enter the restaurant and begin to enjoy the food. Carlo has worked very hard honing his skills, including working in a Michelin-star restaurant, but his dream was always to open his own restaurant.
We went on a very damp Thursday night, and I knew as soon as we walked through the door that we were in for a treat. We were taken to our table by Alex, who was extremely helpful and attentive for our entire meal, and were offered our drinks. I chose a Peroni, and Trish opted for a Pinot Grigio. After viewing an extensive menu and a mouth-watering specials board, which changes weekly, I opted for the Insalata Di Mare (£8.50), a homemade seafood salad with calamari, prawns, mussels, octopus, clams, olive, peppers, onions in an olive oil and lemon dressing. Trish chose the Da Carlo (£10.50), pan-fried chicken pieces with crispy bacon, onions, mushrooms and peppers served on a bed of mixed leaves, topped with a honey and grain mustard dressing.
For our mains our manager Alex recommended the Linguine Allo Sccoglio (£15.50): pasta tossed in garlic, chilli, tiger prawns, mussels, clams, calamari, and king scallops in a tomato and parsley sauce. As you can sea I love my seafood! Trish chose the Swordfish with garlic, chilli, lemons, and fresh mint (£21.50) from the specials board. This came with vegetables, and we also ordered a side dish of zucchini frite.
For dessert I enjoyed the Cannoli Siciliani Fariti, (£6.50); little pastry shells filled with vanilla cream, chocolate cream and pistachio cream. Trish went for the Affogato Con Amaretto, (£6.50); two scoops of vanilla ice cream, espresso coffee topped with Amaretto liqueur.
The portions were all large so you will never leave there still hungry but everything was beautifully cooked and extremely flavoursome. I strongly recommend trying Trattoria Da Carlo. It is an authentic Italian restaurant, dedicated to making sure you have an memorable evening. Booking is recommended as it is a very popular destination. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinners. I have already booked to return next week!
‘We ate well’.
Contact us
Trattoria Da Carlo
134 High Street,
Boston Spa,
Wetherby LS23 6BW.
Tel. 01937 918200