On a drab and overcast afternoon, Cartoccio brings a touch of Italy to South Liverpool.
The Aigburth Road venue is run by Saroja Alasko, originally from Rome, and her husband Christian Di Dio, originally from Sicily. They serve a variety of Italian street food, primarily cartoccio - the 'pizza pockets' from which the restaurant takes its name.
The word 'cartoccio' is roughly translated as 'cone shaped container'. Here, it is a traditional Roman street food - a triangle of freshly-baked bread with a hot filling.
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In February, the ECHO visited Aigburth Road to speak to businesses about the way in which the road has changed in recent years and the influx of food spots. Saroja explained the idea behind her venue.
She said: "My children go to school in this area and I love it, it's a lovely area. I was looking for a place to eat lunch and I thought 'why not open one?'
"We do Italian street food, our main dish is a little triangle of pizza - a pizza pocket. We make them here, it's an old recipe from Rome. It's cut so you can put a hot filling inside it. And the fillings are recipes from all around Italy."
The menu also includes pasta dishes (only served in evenings), bruschetta, soups and desserts. However, I am here for the cartoccio.
The options on the menu are chicken cooked in white wine sauce with herbs, meatballs in tomato sauce, pork stewed in red wine, broccoli sautéed in garlic and an ever-changing special.
When I visited in February, I tried the special, which had an excellent ratatouille filling. Returning to try Cartoccio again, I picked the chicken and the meatball options (£4.50 each), washed down with a bottle of Messina lager (£3.70).
I start with the meatball. Frankly, it is a great sandwich.
The bread is fresh with a crispy exterior giving way to a delightfully soft centre. The filling is superb - a rich tomato sauce is accompanied by good quality and herby meatballs while the soft bread soaks it all up.
The chicken in white wine sauce is equally satisfying. Juicy chicken is well matched with a herby, well-seasoned and rich sauce. A slice of lettuce provides a welcome textural change. It is another excellent sandwich.
The concept is straightforward but very well-executed. In my book, there aren't many better lunches than a hot sandwich and Cartocccio truly delivers - amazing fresh bread is matched with rich, flavoursome and comforting Italian flavours.
If you find yourself in Aigburth, it is worth venturing off Lark Lane to find Cartoccio. A key part of Aigburth Road's growing offering of restaurants and bars, it is a triumph of straightforward food done well where bold flavours and quality produce shine through.
The relaxed and stylish setting, where wine bottles, Italian design and local art adorn the walls, makes it all the more pleasant. I will be back for the evening pasta menu with my eyes already on the tagliatelle with tomato sauce and guanciale.
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