Simple Italian fayre at the very lovely Il Paradiso del Cibo in York
Il Paradiso del Cibo is the best of the fantastic bunch of independent restaurants on Walmgate. The name is Italian for ‘Paradise of Food’ and it certainly lives up to this moniker.
Run by a small team of warm and friendly Sardinians, the cuisine is authentic, simple and reflects the flavours of that region, but more on that later. For me, what really makes the place stand out is the feel of it. It’s hard to pin down exactly what makes it feel so homely and familiar; the staff are great and the decor is bright and cosy with some assorted bric-a-brac setting a Sardinian scene, but it’s the overall cheeriness that’s impossible to describe.
The food is simple and beautifully done and prices are reasonable to the point of ludicrously good value. Pastas and pizzas come in around £7, and you can enjoy them with a glass of wine on the lunchtime special for little more. The à la carte pastas represent all the favourites and the pizzas are undoubtedly the best in York: wide, thin and crispy, with some amazing toppings like Sardinian fennel sausage. Meat specials break the £10 mark, but the range of fish and New Zealand lamb are well worth splashing a little extra.
Desserts include fresh tiramisu, tarts and a few sorbetto; clean, simple but delicious. Wine is all Italian, as you would expect, and is more wallet-conscious than vintage reserve, but it does the job. The house red is a fairly standard montepulciano d’abruzzo which comes in generous bottles, perfect for sharing in a group. Gulps that really pop the palette are served after dinner, espressos are perfetto and if you haven’t offended Gianni and his team, you might be lucky enough to get digestivo or ammazzacaffè (Italian for ‘coffee-killer’) of Sardinian limoncello.
The fact Il Paradiso is full almost all the time (book a fortnight ahead on weekends) is testament to how good it is. It feels like York’s best kept secret which has just been let out of the bag – it’s charming, welcoming and the food is simple and delicious. Buon appetito!
Image courtesy of NukelarBurrito on Flickr
