Glittery A-Z: Carluccios

Sometimes, you want to eat well. Without having to try too hard. You have loads of food in the fridge, but none of it looks very appetising. Or you want to take someone lovely out for dinner, without looking too swish. This is when you go to Carluccio's. They just get it right.

It's posh enough to feel like you're treating yourself, but it's good enough food and service too. It's the perfect place to go on a Sunday night when you just don't want the weekend to end. They tell us things about wine that we understand. They don't just try and sell us the most expensive or say 'they're all good'.

The food tastes real. It's basic and simple, but this makes us happy instead of leaving us wanting something more interesting. We also love that we can shop while we eat our food. Which is a bit weird as we end up buying olives and then ordering them. Eat the food, buy the book. Clever little money spinner, that.

And don't forget summer. Yes, we know it's miles away but we adore their little picnic baskets for two so much that Carluccio's is on our speed dial. Utter bliss in a hamper and really good value. It's nearly Spring so we can start counting the days. Italian food in a park in the sunshine. It doesn't get much better than that.

Carluccio's makes eating out simple. They make it fun. Their food is great. Like comfort in a bowl. You just have fun, but it's lazy fun. Which sometimes is OK by us.

Only sometimes though.

Flickr image from Martin Kingsley's photostream.

Carluccio's are dotted all over London. Glitterbitch's favourite is the one in Canary Wharf next to the underground. The picnic hampers are usually only available from the Neal Street branch.