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Yelp
My husband and I love nothing more than taking weekend breaks around the UK to experience the different culture of each city. He enoys showing Britain to his American wife, and I enjoy seeing the width and breadth of this tiny island.
Unfortunately, we tend to use the following pattern unfailingly:
-rock up in city
-look around a bit
-eat too much food at lunch
-have a cheeky drink (or three)
-see more of city
-have ridiculous amounts of food for dinner
-drink enough alcohol to float York Minster
-spend Sunday slogging through tourist attractions, bleary-eyed, trying not to take our hangovers out on each other.
And where does Delrio's fit into this? In the "have ridiculous amounts of food and alcohol for dinner" bit.
After having Googled around a bit and seeing nearlty unanimous 5-star reviews for the restaurant, husband made a booking. Apparently Delrio's serves its own take on traditional Sardinian food (not the fish, the island, in case you think to ask, like I did).
Delrio's is located just the other side of Mickelgate, one of the gates in the walls around York. It's a cellar restaurant, so one goes through the entrance, and down a flight of stairs.
There is a delightful montage of Italian, American and British photos, memorabilia and souvenirs gracing the walls as you descend the stairs.
Upon entering the restaurant, diners see the bar located on the left and the restaurant straight ahead. There are about 25 tables, so booking is essential.
The decor is welcoming, warm and quaint, replete with crumbling brick walls, dried herbs, ceiling decorations and wine bottles tied with string.
The atmosphere is small and homey, just like many tiny Italian eateries in Little Italy. There are several small nooks with tables for two.
There is nothing worse than being in a small restaurant and feeling as if you're sitting right on top of other diners, but Delrio's makes the best of their space. They also play Italian music loudly enough so that the table next to you can't hear your discussion of bodily functions -- always handy.
Each table is graced with a table cloth and a Chianti bottle overflowing with multicoloured candle wax. Anywhere else, this would come over as naff, but Delrio's managed to make it kitschy and charming.
Onto the food...
Hubby had ordered a bottle of champagne to arrive at the table when we did. The manager brought it over with gusto and flair, and made cheeky comments, which I love, but some may not enjoy.
A waitress walked around telling diners each of the specials, asking if she could get anything. We were then presented with menus, which are heavy on the meat dishes (most females under 30 aren't heard ordering lamb's kidneys) and pizza.
However, portion size is small enough that dishes aren't overwhelming. And what Delrio's gets astonishingly right is their sauces -- gorgeously aromatic enough to make Posh Spice want to lick her plate.
I honestly don't think I've ever tasted such delicately flavoured food.
For starters, we both had Scallops wrapped in Parma Ham, with a ginger vinaigrette sauce. We were in Foody Heaven! Score one for Delrio's.
After that we had some garlic pizza bread, very light, well-raised pizza dough, not too heavy.
Hubby had Whole Baked Seabass for his main, and it was grilled to perfection with minimal seasoning.
I had Chicken breast pan-fried with tiger prawns
in white wine, mustard and cream sauce.
This sauce was so divine, I really wanted to bathe in it. Even with the smallish portions, I felt like I was eating a feast. Each bite tasted better and better.
For dessert, we had the Special: Whipped Cheesecake with chocolate-covered honeycomb. Dear God, I nearly spontaneously combusted, it was so good.
We were pleased with everything we tried, and would gladly go back, just to wash dishes in the kitchen and eat diner's leftovers -- drool-worthy cuisine in the heart of York!
The wine list isn't extensive, and is mostly by the bottle. Unless you skip the starter and order a pasta or pizza dish, expect to spend no less than £50 for two.
Absolutely worth it, though.
