University has taught me so much. I’ve learnt how to sleep any time of day in any place, where to find the cheapest Warburtons in town and how to make seemingly understandable notes from lectures given by professor types who only appear to know a smattering of English. The most important ... Read review
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University has taught me so much. I’ve learnt how to sleep any time of day in any place, where to find the cheapest Warburtons in town and how to make seemingly understandable notes from lectures given by professor types who only appear to know a smattering of English. The most important thing I’ve realised though, is that there’s more to Italian Restaurants than just the Tiggis I grew up with.
-- The Background ... ...6 months, Quy and I seem to have spent a lot of time eating, and 99% of those occasions have been in Italian restaurants. There’s Michelangelos (which I’m not writing an op on since he has already), Est Est Est, Ask! and Tiggis (all reviewed by yours truly), Via Roma and Don Antonio’s (too bad to even think of it) and Don Giovanis and Cocottoos (will get around to it one day), to name a few. The last one we went to was Caffe Uno ... more
University has taught me so much. I’ve learnt how to sleep any time of day in any place, where to find the cheapest Warburtons in town and how to make seemingly understandable notes from lectures given by professor types who only appear to know a smattering of English. The most important thing I’ve realised though, is that there’s more to Italian Restaurants than just the Tiggis I grew up with.
-- The Background --
Over the last 5 or 6 months, Quy and I seem to have spent a lot of time eating, and 99% of those occasions have been in Italian restaurants. There’s Michelangelos (which I’m not writing an op on since he has already), Est Est Est, Ask! and Tiggis (all reviewed by yours truly), Via Roma and Don Antonio’s (too bad to even think of it) and Don Giovanis and Cocottoos (will get around to it one day), to name a few. The last one we went to was Caffe Uno in Didsbury – my choice based on the fact I was craving their garlic bread, in the way only a garlic bread connoisseur can….
-- The Food --
Typical Italian fare including salads, pasta, pizza and meat dishes and various appetizers and puddings. Their pasta is wonderful - you know how you can just *tell* when it’s ultra fresh? Their Parmesan comes in one of those tiny graters and so doesn’t leave the wedge until your meal is in front of you, thus retaining all it’s flavour - full marks there. The garlic bread is unusual for this area in that it’s not a pizza base style one: instead it’s made from a ciabatta roll sliced in half, lightly toasted and topped with just the right amount of garlic and butter, plus a sprinkling of herbs. Mmmm mmm good (what was that an advert for?). Being vegetarian I didn’t sample his steak or starter on either occasion, but I’m told it was “fine” if not spectacular.
They have a decent selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks available, and a small but delicious looking pudding menu – I can’t comment though since as always I was too stuffed to try one.
-- The Setting --
Our local restaurant is, I would imagine, typical of the chain (have a look at the website – address below – for your local branch). There are sparking wooden tables with candles, and a paneled wood floor. The walls are decorated with large blackboards showing the specials and interestingly enough, dinner plates and empty vases. It might not be wonderfully romantic or typically Italian, but it’s certainly nicer than Pizza Hut.
-- The Service --
We’ve been to this branch twice. On neither occasion did we encounter terrible service, but the last time we went (mid week, not near valentine’s day, not all that late) it was a bit slow, although it appeared they had very few waiting staff working so no doubt a few had called in sick. Still, we’ve never had to wait long to order, the food arrives before you get to the point of wondering whether your order’s got lost, and the bill arrives the second you click your fingers.
-- The Cost --
Probably average for the places we go to, it’s somewhere in between pure fast food pizza/pasta, and fancy posh, waiters-who-look-down-their-nose-at-me-employing Italian places. As a guide, 4 courses and 4 drinks would usually cost between £25 and £30 depending on your choices. We have a great system where he pays and I, ahem, leave the tip…. For more info on all the dishes available, and their prices, have a look at www.caffeuno.co.uk. -- The Extra Info –-
Unlike some local restaurants, they do take bookings, and don’t seem to have a minimum party size. Last time we went we got a “Book Now for Mother’s Day” stuck on the bottom of the bill.
They have a reasonably sized children’s menu and offer lunch time offers throughout the week. They’ve also been known to have all-you-can-eat buffet style deals on. -- The Verdict –
Mi piace. What can I say? It serves Italian food. They have Coke not Pepsi. It’s in Manchester. Works for me. I only wish there was a branch at home.
Advantages: nice coffee, clean, Disadvantages: overpriced mediocre food, no personality
...pizzerias. However we decided on Caffé Uno which is part of a chain. I had been past it plenty of times but had never eaten there. I chose it because I thought the name café made it sound reasonable value.
The Manchester City Centre branch is in a prime location facing the Town Hall on Albert Square. It's usually buzzing in the summer with its cosmopolitan outdoor seating. It had a different atmosphere on a gloomy March evening. It was very quiet ... ...the place had no personality or atmosphere at all. Perhaps this would have been different on a Saturday night.
Caffe Uno serves your usual range of pizzas, pastas and salads. I do not eat red or white meat so was quite pleased with the number of vegetarian and fish dishes available. I was tempted by an unusual prawn Caesar salad but opted for one of the specials, Gnocchi with gorgonzola and basil pesto instead. I accompanied this with a mug of mocha. ...
duskmaiden 10.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Caffé Uno
Advantages: none Disadvantages: crowded smokey noisy and rude staff
Not a pleasant experience! Having found a promotional voucher in Sainsbury Magazine fro a free bottle of house wine for two diners, I decided to treat my wife to an evening out in London and go to a CAffe Uno. What a calamity! The restaurant was crowded (ok - so I expected that) disgustingly smokey (why do we have to out up with that?) cramped, dirty tables and the staff had absolutely no knowledge or interest in the Sainsbury voucher offer (valid ... ...being 12th 14th February) at the Caffe UNo of your choice.
Why do these companies not inform staff and staff be a litle more gracious about such promotions - they just did not want to know. A very embarassing time and frankly the whole evening was spoilt as a result. I have eaten in Caffe Uno before and been moderately impressed - but out of London - perhaps that's the trick - TOURISTS BEWARE! ...
averycrossman 23.01.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Caffé Uno
Value for Money
Standard of Menu
Atmosphere
Standard of Service
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