Carluccio's — Restaurant in Metropolitan Borough of Solihull

Finally got the opportunity to go for a meal here on Saturday evening, the food was quite disappointing overall. I ordered tomato bruschetta to start which was nicely flavoured but the bread (one slice) was soggy and it was overloaded with cherry tomatoes, the kind you'd pay 80p a punnet for in Aldi. Not worth the £7.45 they charged. Husband had the prawn starter which was nice but only 4 small prawns, again overpriced (£8.95) for what it was. My main was chicken milanese (£14.50) which was quite dry and very bland. Husband ordered sirloin steak medium rare (£22.00) but it was cooked medium well done. They also don't state the size of the steak on the menu and it was quite small for the price. It came with some seasoned potatoes which were nice. We also shared a side of foccacia with mozzarella which was a good portion size but not cooked well, the cheese wasn't melted properly and seemed like it had been prepared hours earlier, giving the cheese a thick, oily texture. We didn't order desert as the starters and mains were so underwhelming.

The atmosphere was lacking for a Saturday evening which I think is telling. We had a table booked for 8.15 and there were a handful of other guests when we arrived. By the time we left at 9.30 there was only one other table occupied. For a restaurant located in a busy town centre on a sunny Saturday evening it was like a ghost town.

The hostess/service was good and they asked if everything was OK once we'd been served our starter. However they didn't ask if everything was OK with our meal when we got the bill, which I suspect is because they anticipated the feedback. The food was served quickly but that's not surprising given how empty it was.

Overall a disappointing meal and I wouldn't recommend it or return. There are plenty of other dining options in Solihull where you'd get better quality food and better value for money. It's a real shame as we'd been waiting to try this place for ages, but won't...

Visited carluccio for a Friday lunch. We haven't been here for a few years and as surprisingly we both had a Friday off together I looked for a Solihull restaurant that would suit our needs and was reminded of carluccio. It was a lovely autumn day and although they have a lovely outside dining area we chose to eat inside. We were greeted warmly and professionally by Ethan and were seated straight away. I was sat on the bench seat but being small I couldn't rest my back so we adjusted the table towards me so I could (perhaps some cushions could help here either set out or the waiter asking if a cushion is needed. Little touches make the difference sometimes). Ethan was discrete and left us to peruse the menu before taking our order. We had the bread basket and olives to start. The bread was varied and lush and one of the things I always judge an Italian on is their choice of olive oil which carluccio have just right, it had just the right aftertaste of pepper which I like. For a Friday lunch the place was bustling and throughout our meal people came and went so a great atmosphere. For the mains I had the mushroom risotto with added chicken and was pleased to receive a portion size that suited my lunchtime appetite. It was delicious. The other half treated himself to a steak and fries with a pepper sauce. I was surprised that on the menu they only have one cut of steak, however it was cooked as he asked for it. The only problem was the quality of the meat. He said the fat on the outside was chewy/gristley and when I looked I could see that the steak had not been trimmed of sinew. Perhaps a chat with their butcher and for the chef to check would help this situation. What a shame cause the other half was looking forward to his steak treat, however the fries were a redeeming feature and I had to taste a few to confirm both they and the sauce were spot on😁.

Overall a lovely afternoon of chat, good food, great service and atmosphere. We'll...

The culinary journey at this restaurant is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment you take your first bite, you're enveloped in a symphony of flavors that captivate the senses. Let's start with the salted chicken – tender pieces of chicken marinated in a delicate blend of spices and salt, resulting in a dish that is both succulent and flavorful. Each bite reveals layers of complexity, with the seasoning perfectly complementing the natural sweetness of the chicken.

Next up is the seafood rice, a dish that transports you to the shores of distant seas with its bounty of fresh seafood. Succulent shrimp, tender squid, and plump mussels mingle with fragrant rice, creating a harmonious fusion of land and sea. Every spoonful is a delight, with the flavors of the ocean dancing on your palate.

And then there's the confit duck, a masterpiece of culinary craftsmanship. The duck is slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in meat that is meltingly tender and imbued with rich, savory flavors. The skin is rendered to a crispy perfection, providing the perfect contrast to the luscious meat beneath.

But it's not just the individual dishes that shine; it's the meticulous attention to detail that elevates the dining experience to new heights. Each ingredient is carefully sourced and expertly prepared, ensuring that every dish is a masterpiece in its own right.

With prices ranging from £9-10 per dish, this restaurant offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. And with the added incentive of a 50% discount on your next visit when you keep your receipt, there's even more reason to indulge in this...