SUL LAGO: A real taste of Italy

Sul Lago

December 2009

SUL LAGO,

2, Cutler Hill Road,
Crime Lake,

Oldham

Tel: 0161 682 1723

THERE is something about the Sul Lago we absolutely love.

I think its the authentic feel of the bar and restaurant that always makes us feel as though we are in Italy itself. Alright so we cant look out on a sea front or town square and it isnt a warm night as the sun sets but hey, this is Oldham in November.

What you do get is a light, jovial atmosphere
and a delightful mix of customers families, couples, groups.

Oh and not to forget fantastic food. Its just gone nine years since Aldo Lucci opened the Crime Lake establishment, now with its upstairs bar and terrace for a relaxing drink
after the meal (note to diary: return in summer 2010 - thats if we get a summer
in 2010). But back to our evening.

We were shown to our table at the far end of
the main restaurant and though we were fairly early in the evening there were
already several tables occupied and others filled swiftly behind us. We ordered a
garlic bread with half-and-half tomato and cheese with our drinks and nibbled
away at the tasty slices as we discussed our choices.

Thinking back, I must have been very, very hungry when we arrived because I went for some big choices. I really fancied the seafood pancake (crespella del prescatore £5.95) and devoured most of this as Mrs W was more than happy with her choice and decided just on a taste test rather than a full 50-50 swop.

No matter how light the pancake, and this was beautiful, it is filling. I was to regret that later. That was because my eyes were bigger than my belly and in that hunger-driven moment of ordering I had followed up with fillettini Stroganoff (£14.50). Yes, rice, that most filling of dishes.

And a large portion too. Tasty but too large a portion for greedy me.
Mrs W did have a taste but was totally enthralled by her choice that had come
highly recommended from a friend - and which won our usual vote best selection
hands down.

Her large stuffed mushroom with goat cheese on a bed of spinach
(similarly £5.95) had been superb but even that was eclipsed by a ravioli
Sorrentina (10.95)that was marvellously light and thrillingly tasty with its
lobster, prawns and cream sauce that I was allowed the merest forkful for
confirmation.

We managed to share a chocolate fudge cake dessert and a couple of
latte coffees later made our way out of the little enclave of Italy and back into
the dreary night.

But we were full of smiles from a meal thats not cheap but
oozes class. I bet we both have the lobster next time when its not for a review.