Cicchetti by San Carlo - Manchester

Having not been in at least a year, I was sadly disappointed. The food has become so expensive while the quality is nowhere near where it used to be. While aesthetically appealing, nothing was outstandingly tasty, the restaurant was empty, and while the service was good, for an empty restaurant, it wasn't really good? The steak meant to be medium rare, came cold and just well done. The sausage had no discernable taste but salty. I'm really sad as this was my go to😭

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cicchetti by San Carlo in Manchester for lunch, and overall, it was a fantastic experience with just a couple of areas for improvement. ### **Food (★★★★☆)** The food was absolutely superb. From the presentation to the quality of ingredients, everything was spot on. I opted for a selection of dishes that beautifully reflected the authentic flavors of Italian cuisine. Each dish was well-prepared and had a great balance of flavors. The freshness of the ingredients and the attention to detail in their preparation truly stood out. However, while the food was delightful, I think there could have been a little more variety on the menu to cater to different preferences. But nonetheless, the taste and quality were excellent! ### **Service (★★★★★)** The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They made thoughtful recommendations and ensured that all of our needs were met throughout the meal. I appreciated how swiftly they responded to requests without being overbearing. The balance between professionalism and warmth made the experience even more enjoyable. ### **Atmosphere (★★★★☆)** The ambiance at Cicchetti was charming, elegant, and had a lovely Italian feel to it. The interior design, lighting, and overall vibe were quite inviting, creating a comfortable and vibrant environment for dining. However, the one area that did not quite meet expectations was the bathroom. It felt a bit out of place in comparison to the rest of the establishment, and I believe it could benefit from better upkeep to match the high standards of the restaurant. Aside from that, the overall atmosphere was a wonderful backdrop to the great food and service. ### **Overall Experience** In conclusion, Cicchetti by San Carlo is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in Manchester. The food is delicious, the service is top-tier, and the atmosphere is mostly excellent, save for some minor improvements that could be made in the facilities. I would happily return and recommend this restaurant to others, especially for a delightful lunch or dinner outing.

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was amazing! Marino and his colleague were so friendly and professional — they made our experience even better. Thank you both

My expectations were very high for a San Carlo restaurant because people are saying they’re the best Italian restaurant in Manchester. Good sides were the ambiance, it was very lovely, and the food was tasty. However, there were some factors that decreased my enjoyment during my visit. Firstly, it’s a tapas restaurant and I couldn’t understand it when I checked the menu. I thought only the specials were tapas. Secondly, as many people mentioned on reviews, the food came under heated and they were cold in the middle of the food. Thirdly, the service wasn’t very good, nobody asked how was the food or if we need anything else after they served the food. Lastly, when we consider all these factors, the restaurant is expensive and does it really worth for it? Overall, I can say it’s a 3/5 restaurant. I won’t go there again.

San carlo gets a lot of stick for being pretentious and over hyped. I actually like it, but today, not so much. The tables are very close together and not much room on them, especially if there are 4 of you. This small plate concept sounds like a great idea but in reality it didn't work for us. Today the salad served with all the dishes was past iys best and wilted. The tuna tartare portion is the same price as the usual restaurants however the portion size is ridiculously small. The smoked chicken caesar was a hit but otherwise the dishes were fairly average, particularly the croquette which had no flavour unfortunately. Not sure we would recommend this one. Sorry!

Great staff, fantastic food, brilliant ambience. The tiramisu was the best I've had!

They have one of the YUMMIEST pizza doughs I’ve tried in Manchester. Their portions are quite small though.

I’m disappointed that I can’t try every item on the menu. The food I did manage to order has exceeded my expectations. The staff are warm and welcoming. I could spend hours sitting here, being transported to Italy with flavoursome dishes cooked to perfect. I hope to come back again soon. I especially recommend the Gnocchi Gorgonzola.