Italian dishes served perfectly

This week’s restaurant review is on Giannis – one of the best Italians in Scarborough. Find out why we have rated it an 8/10 on page 52.

Scarborough is blessed with fine Italian restaurants and Giannis is up there with the best.

It has been a fixture of Castle Road for many a year and has, in the past decade, expanded its floor space to cater for its popularity.

In our family, it is a first port of call for a celebration, knowing the service will be excellent and food superb.

From the opera purring from the invisible sound system to the charm of the waiters and from the chic decor to the food on the plate – it is Italian.

I dined with a friend who had never, despite living in Scarborough for more than a decade, been to Giannis. It was a delight to see her enjoy the food and atmosphere. Pizza, pasta, burgers, fish, vegetarian dishes, steak and chicken are the staples of the menu which also offers a specials board.

Mussels cooked in white wine, chilli and tomatoes was my choice for a starter £7.49). They were served with a nice chunk of focaccia to mop up the tangy, thick sauce. Shirley opted for prawn cocktail – served post-retro on a plate – with accompanying Italian mixed leaves and corner of focaccia £6.99.

The plentiful prawns in a thick creamy sauce were declared delicious. Lasagne with side salad was my pick of the mains (£7.49). I love its steaming hot, meaty, cheesy goo-iness. The portion is more than ample – the more you eat, the more you seem to have left.

Shirley opted for duck from the specials board (£14.99). Carved thick slices of tender meat arrived with a boatful of tangy plum sauce, potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

It would be rude to leave an Italian restaurant without some hanky panky – that’s a slice of crunchy biscuit base topped with vanilla and chocolate ice-cream and fudge layer £4.99.

Pavlova and tiramisu were among the dessert choices with profiteroles and cheescake.

Booking is always advisable. Giannis also does an early bird menu – and, no self-respecting restaurant is without these nowadays – offers an array of gins.