Carluccio's

bevally

Carluccio's 24th November 2008

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A busy and vibrant restaurant with a very relaxed feel and nice atmosphere. All the usual Italian fayre is available on the menu, but be warned if you are after a pizza - there aren't any!! The food is very reasonable with good portion sizes. It's a very family friendly place with lots of highchairs and a great children's menu with a drink, main meal and ice cream for a set price, plus a pack of colouring pencils to keep the little one's busy whilst waiting! Booking is recommended, we visited on a Sunday lunchtime and there were very few spare tables, but the service was still good and we didn't wait long for our food. A word of warning.... you walk out through the shop selling all the raw ingredients you need to help you recreate the food you've just enjoyed - very tempting to spend a fortune!!

mrsevans101

Reliable Italian with a cracking breakfast 18th November 2008

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You know pretty much what you're going to get from Carluccio's - well made pasta, decent cappuccinos and a few interesting ingredients and this one does not disappoint.

The menu is short and perhaps a little limited but what is on there is very good. It changes seasonally plus has a handful of specials which changes roughly every couple of weeks.

One thing that most people have not tried here is the breakfast. This is a real shame as the breakfast here is very good. The Colazione Magnifico has a eggs (scrambled or poached), mushrooms (cooked with a few chives and often a touch of garlic) and lightly fried pancetta served on a slice of toasted ciabatta. You also get a tea or coffee and a juice and all for £8.50. Now I know you can get cheaper breakfasts in Reading, but not of the sort of quality that you'd get in Carluccio's.
It's perfect for a weekend morning recovery AND it is served all day. Very rare.

As has already been mentioned, service in the deli can be rather erratic - if you're caught behind the person buying 2 or 3 sliced meats or chilled items then you may be in for a long wait as there is usually only one person serving.

Anyway, go there, have some breakfast and maybe pick up a nice fresh loaf, a cake or some truffle oil on the way out. Lovely.

emilyjp

In attractive Forbury gardens location 19th September 2008

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This Carluccio’s is part of the newly renovated Forbury gardens area, and sits in a square adjacent to the park. It might be a little difficult to find if you don’t already know where it is.

Carluccio’s has a substantial amount of outdoor seating, in the square during the summer season. The indoor restaurant is bright and attractive with a huge chalkboard on the wall advertising the menu.

The food was very good and the staff were happy to accommodate unusual meal orders. The only problem I have experienced is that, I have felt that the service is a little slow, both in the restaurant and the delicatessen area, even when the restaurant was virtually empty.