La Cucina Italian Restaurant

La Cucina Italian Restaurant
George House
91 Lower Hillgate
Stockport SK1 3AW
Tel.: 0161 477 6389

Saturday 22nd June 2002

Marg and I join a group of old friends on an (almost) annual basis for a dinner. This time, we arranged to meet in Stockport and eight of us descended on La Cucina. We had been there once before, several years ago, and, to be honest, we couldn't come up with anything else in central Stockport.

We entered to be met by a wall of sound - there was what we took to be a "Hen Night" in progress, and there also appeared to be a reception of some sort going on upstairs. While it was quite noisy, it was not oppressively so, and I suppose quite well behaved for that sort of event.

We were shown to our table and ordered drinks while we checked out the menu. This wasn't a simple job, as several conversations were taking place simultaneously.

As there was so much going on, I will have to limit my review to what I had, and just say that everyone else was satisfied with their dishes.

The standard garlic bread arrived and was devoured. I decided on Bruschetta Fegatini, to be followed by Vitello Mafiosa. A couple of bottles of Italian red - a Montepulciano and another I can't remember the name of, but which was not as well received as the Montepulciano.

My bruschetta arrived and looked like a main course - there was a veritable mountain of chicken livers, sauteed with a hint of chilli, served over a piece of toasted Italian bread. This was simply excellent. I loved it, and so did the couple of people who were near enough to snaffle a taste.

I really had to struggle to finish it all, however, and the rest of the group had to wait as I completed my task. I suppose I shouldn't complain, but it was just a little too much for an antipasto.

The veal in a pepper-based sauce was pretty good - the sauce especially (I like peppers).

We had a little confusion over the bill - but it turned out that we just hadn't understood that there was a second sheet! The service was unobtrusive and the ambience was animated. The decor is pleasant and the services clean.

The bill for eight of us, including drinks and service, came to £22 per head, which puts the restaurant into the "pretty good value" bracket.

Sandro and Marg