Restaurant REVIEW

ITALIA NOSTRA, 25 BAKER ST, STIRLINg

1 location

It’s right in the centre on one of the steep hills up to the Castle, so sure to be a tourist magnet.

2 FiRSt iMPRESSionS

Couldn’t feel any more authentically Italian. Full of red-clothed tables, big oil painting prints on the wall and a beamed ceiling.

It’s really rustic, even down to the candles in the wax-covered wine bottles, and there’s a pantileroofed open kitchen at the back so you can see your dishes being prepared.

3 SERvicE

The staff were quick and efficient, with no hanging around.

4 MEnU

Very comprehensive with a wide range of all the expected Italian staples. We decide on mains and dessert, but the antipasti starters include calamari fritti, funghi con aglio and prosciutto and melone.

5 taStE

Really generous portions of the mains. Both the tagliatelle con salciccia and the tortellini alla Bolognese were delicious, fresh, rich and really satisfying.

The wild strawberries with the ice cream and cream had a nice, fruity burst, and the chocolate sundae was lovely.

6 PRicE

A shade under £50 including two rounds of soft drinks and a sharing order of the pizza bread.

7 aMbiEncE

It’s quiet at first when we arrive on an early Sunday evening but soon fills up, especially with couples, many of whom are greeted as regulars, which is always a good sign.

8 SoMEtHinG SPEcial

The tortellini just shaded it in the scrummy stakes. Packed full of rich, meaty Bolognese, with beautiful stuffed pasta.

9 toilEtS

Up a few stairs right at the back so not great disabled access. OK, but no hand drier and the paper towel bin could have done with an empty.

10 vERDict

Simply a good, old-fashioned, traditional Italian.

16/20