A menu of traditional Tuscan treats is on offer to diners at two of Tyneside’s top Italian restaurants.
Chefs from Scalini’s, at Great North Road, Gosforth and Osborne Road, Jesmond, have joined forces to create contemporary versions of classic Italian dishes, which will be available at both venues throughout the summer.
Within their established menus, the restaurants have re-introduced gnocchi dishes – potato dumplings with, either, Italian butcher’s sausage, pepperoni and peppers or oven baked, with tomato, basil, olives and spinach – and extended their salad choice.
They have also enlarged their range of main courses to include dishes which owe more than a nod to the traditional fare of Tuscany.
Ingredients including roasted shallots, truffles and wild mushrooms are brought together with rolled belly pork and served in a cider cream sauce, while Italian sausage is served with a black pudding mash and a caramelised red onion gravy.
The Tuscan influence has also been brought to bear in the range of pasta and pizza dishes, with wild boar chestnut pasta parcels, peas, sage and garlic in a tomato and cream sauce and pizza polpettone; lamb and beef meatballs in a chilli sauce.
“Our regulars know we constantly update our main courses to reflect the seasons and the availability of produce,” said Julie Robson, marketing coordinator for the Malhotra Group plc, which owns the restaurants.
“However, this new menu gives us the chance to showcase some traditional Italian ingredients from one of the country’s most important culinary areas.”
For further information about Scalini’s at Jesmond and Gosforth, or to make a reservation, visit www.scalinisrestaurant.co.uk.