A Genuine And Authentic Taste Of Italy In the Heart Of The UK

I love Italian food. This obviously comes from the fact I come from an Italian family so I know what good Italian cooking is, not to mention the times I’ve spent in Italy where the food is absolutely divine. So to find a genuine and authentic taste of Italy in the city where I live is nothing short of amazing.

I’d been meaning to catch up with my friend Sarah for a few weeks, and last year when I had a family party at my house she raved about Galleria Italiana and how good it is, and urged me and my Dad to try it. I don’t know why but I just never got round to it, and the one time I went out for Italian food was at an Italian restaurant in Malvern near me with another friend – she had a foot injury and couldn’t drive so as she lives in Malvern we found an Italian restaurant there to try. Imagine our horror when we discovered that they didn’t even have pizza on the menu!

I couldn’t fault a thing about Galleria Italiana right from the decor, ambience, friendlieness of the staff, how attentive they were, the food – everything was sublime. I chose a lasagne for my main course and my friend Sarah had the spaghetti bolognese, we decided to forego a starter as we wanted a dessert and knew we wouldn’t manage 3 courses, but we ordered some olives to nibble on. The owner also brought us a celery dip to try with some pieces of toasted bread, which was absolutely delicious.

The food took a while to come out but it is all freshly made to order. I would much rather wait for a good meal that is freshly cooked than have something brought out in five minutes that is heated in a microwave, and it gave me and my friend the chance to have a good natter over drinks (non alcoholic as we were both driving) until our food arrived.

My lasagne was served with some garlic bread which was perfect, it was crispy with just the right amount of garlic and not too overpowering. The lasagne itself was perfect, just the right mix of sauce, meat and pasta with a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. There was no doubt that it was cooked to order, it tasted so fresh and I enjoyed every mouthful.

For dessert Sarah and I ordered a tiramisu each, which came with a scoop of coffee ice cream. I find that tiramisu can sometimes be a bit heavy and overloaded with alcohol, but this was perfect – light and just the right amount. It was a little piece of heaven in a glass!

One thing that made me think I was in a restaurant in Italy was how attentive the staff were. Wherever you go in Italy the staff are always dressed immaculately and can’t do enough for you. I will always remember being in a restaurant with my Dad in Rome, he dropped his fork by accident and within seconds, and I do mean seconds, a waiter was there to pick it up and put a clean fork down in its place. It was the same in Galleria Italiana, my friend Sarah ordered a second slimline tonic drink with lime and within 2 minutes it was on our table. When we asked for the bill, it was brought over within a few minutes of asking for it, instead of having to wait for it for ages like I have in other restaurants I’ve been in.

How I have managed not to try this gorgeous Italian restaurant till now I will never know, but I know one thing – last night might have been my first time at Galleria Italiana, but it definitely won’t be my last.  I only wish I had listened to my friend Sarah and tried it sooner!

My ratings

Food – 10 (remember that scene in the film Spinal Tap “these go to 11”? If I could give the food 11 out of 10 I would)

Ambience – 10

Service – 10

Value for money – 10

For more information visit www.galleriaitaliana.co.uk or call 01905 612211.