La Pulia ad Ovest

Rossini

Last night I was transported back to Deliceto Foggia where my 19-year old self had her first plate of orecchiette.  It was a new and exciting time for me and each day brought a new plate of deliciousness and a few extra grams around my middle.

Rossini in Hyndland Street makes the best plate of Pasta Pugliese I’ve tasted for a very long time.  It had that homemade, fresh, aromatic olive oil finish you usually only get nella casa di nonna. 

The owners Ester and Maurizio, who gave birth to the magical North Star Café, have grown up and matured into Restaurateurs and are ready to take a prime spot in the aggressively competitive West End of Glasgow.

I had the Orrecchiete Barese which is made with turnip tops, pecorino cheese and finished off with fresh chillies and extra virgin olive oil.   My friend Natalia opted for the Pollo Ripieno with roast potatoes and heritage carrots.

The service was optimal and fulfilled anything a patron could wish.  We felt welcome and cosy on a very dismal and wet Saturday evening.  This dynamic duo, Ester and Maurizio, have a knack of making you feel special and satisfied. So no matter what your mood when you walk through the door you will leave with a sense of belonging and a wish to go back as soon as possible.

With a bill for two at under £40 I felt like Bonnie Parker having robbed a bank; happy, contented and ready for the next break. They also serve my very favourite coffee by Italian Aroma so I might well pop in soon to try the homemade Tiramisu with a cup of Arabica.

I predict having won Best Café at the Glasgow Awards and best Deli/café in the Scottish ItalianAwards 2015 they will be a certainty to, at least, sweep the boards and scoop Best Newcomer this year.

Auguri and ci vediamo presto!

Mx

Pane e Vino!

Bread and Wine!

So, I said to The Mary we were going to Pane e Vino and she hits out with;

“Does that no mean Bread and wine?”

“Yes”,

 I answered, almost politely

“But you don’t drink and don’t eat breid!  Is this about your shirts no fittin’ ye again?  FFS ye cannae sit and eat nothing and I’m no listenin’ tae ye moaning about yir fat belly again!”

She has a certain charm that’s almost undetectable to most people but it’s just as well I love her and can take it on the chin, belly, pride and spirit!

Pane e Vino is in Giffnock and run by the cheekily magnificent PiertoSarti who is the youngest son of Lucio who was the son in love of one of the founders of Fazzi’s in Glasgow. Along with his brother Sandro they keep Glasgow’s love of Authentic, Italian produce alive and offer a genuine experience of the real Italy.  Rich in culture warmth, taste and smell, they stay true to what lovers of Italy expect and appreciate.

They’ve brought an honest, red-blooded, Italian, beating heart to the community in Giffnock and my heart is pounding at the thought of turning up with The Mary and them saying they don’t have focaccia. She’s not had any for about two months and is like a dug on heat.

It’s been a lot longer for me and it’s not a dough base I’m after. What I want usually comes with a tender ego which needs to be approved and stroked constantly. Men seem to need praise and approval of every effort they make; bit like a dug actually and I already have my wee Cicca.

When we arrive at Pane e Vino we are both immediately transported back to the 80s when we used to go to Fazzi’s on Clyde street for the weekly fix of cheese, pasta, bread and wine. In my opinion the Supermarkets destroyed this experience and while all the while selling inferior products. The smell  fills with the essence of Italy and the atmosphere is charming.

The Mary asked me;

“What is it? A Deli? A Café? A Restaurant? A Coffee Shop?”

My reply was it was none of these but all of them at the same time.  An eclectic mix of all of the above; giving a welcoming sense of belonging. You could pop in for a packet of Pasta and sit for a cup of my favourite Italian Aroma Coffee. Drop in for your favourite tipple and sample un bicchiere di vino if you can’t make up your mind which one to choose.

Unfortunately we’d arrived in the evening and the two main Pasta dishes they’d made much earlier in the day were long gone. Although disappointed, I do like the fact dishes are not quickly and simply prepared. We settled for Pollo alla Cacciatore. It was served with the most delicious roast potatoes done with garlic and rosemary.

Of course The Mary had to have garlic bread instead of Focaccia and was not too happy about that so I need to rectify this next week. Thing is, we’ve found many Italian places are closed on a Monday and it’s the only day she’s allowed out.  So, if any of you out there wish to take on the 4 weans another evening in the week my job and her mood would improve immensely.

They also sell one of my favourite desserts Torta della Nonna but with my bludgeoning waistline I had to give it a miss.  

Maybe next time!

And there will be another visit!

Take it easy!

Me and The Mary!

Mx

 P.S. I actually think the Fabulously Gorgeous Natalia does most of the work but....