PREZZO
16 Windsor Road, Penarth
029 2071 0980 / www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk
Food:
Atmosphere:
After the joys of the festive period and the thought of a miserable January looming, a midweek dinner with a 2-for-1 offer was somewhat appealing. Most restaurants are offering deals throughout January to drum up business, and Prezzo is no different. Download a taste card (£1 for three months) and you’re ready to go.
After a steep aperitif (a pint of Peroni plus a gin and tonic for £10.75), we sat in the Habitat home-style window, waiting for friends to arrive. Our over-exuberant waiter, who was in fairness very friendly, explained how ‘the offers’ work. I suppose, in hindsight, a 2-for-1 is not going to be the best. The convoluted rationale concerning what was in the offer and what was not proved quite a chore; after whittling down the options of not many, I had chicken carbonara and the ginger had Il Carltoni calzone: pepperoni, seasoned chicken, pancetta, peppers, pomodoro sauce and cheese, in what is effectively a folded-over Italian pie. My dining partner failed to find any filling until approximately four inches in. My chicken carbonara was pleasant, if lukewarm.
I left unsure if Prezzo’s slogan “Journey to the heart of Italy”, and the offer to join them on a culinary venture to the far corners of that nation is apt, or even true. Still, the January special offer meant – thankfully – a bill of around £45-£50, including wine, was only £26, or £36 if including the aperitif. Either way, for authentic Italian I’ll be going to Tony’s around the corner in Penarth, or Cardiff’s or Cafe Minuet for a slipper.
words ANTONIA LEVAY, photo MARTIN KROLOKOWSKI