Restaurants

A combination of deli, lunchtime takeaway spot and compact restaurant, Carnevale brings a non-corporate feel to its corner on the edges of the City. During the day, fill up on their interesting salads (beetroot, watercress, walnut and honey; tabouleh; penne with capers and pine nuts), imaginative sandwiches (smoked mozzarella and aubergine in piadina, an Italian flatbread) and substantial hot takeaways (how about risotto with plum tomatoes, wild garlic leaves and parmesan?). In the evenings the restaurant is somewhat lacking in atmosphere; gentler lighting might help. A miniature courtyard housing three tables is a nice touch, but in such a tight squeeze we knew everything about our neighbouring diners’ work problems by the end. The Med-influenced menu fell quite flat on several counts. Nutty-textured veggie sausages were way too sweet, and the accompanying colcannon wasn’t heated through – enough to put anyone off a meal. Simple butternut squash and saffron risotto was better and the portion quite generous. A new delivery service is available to offices in the locality: a good idea, as Carnevale is a better option for lunch than for dinner.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009