Restaurant of the Week: Da Claudio, 388 Brandon St, Motherwell

Four generations are involved in Da Claudio, which was named after the original Tuscan owner, who opened the restaurant in 1991.

Location

On one of the main streets in the Lanarkshire town.

First Impressions

On a rainy Wednesday, early evening, we didn’t foresee any problems in getting a table for two, but the restaurant was fully booked. However, the waiting staff were able to squeeze us in. It’s clearly gained a loyal customer base in its 28 years.

Service

Attentive and professional, while also down-to-earth.

Menu

There is an extensive range of meat and fish dishes, alongside pasta main courses. As well as traditional Italian dishes, there is a lot of originality shown in many of the options.

Taste

The starters were, in one of our party’s words, “amazing”. The funghi genovese is sauteed mushrooms with a tomato and onion sauce served with garlic bread and could happily have been eaten as a main course, as it was so tasty. The crostini da claudio was similarly successful. Toasted Italian bread topped with cannellini beans, onions, cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic and olive oil was a change from the usual bruschetta staple found on starter menus. The spaghetti verdure, broccoli, courgette, onion and tomatoes in an oil and garlic sauce, was a lovely, light dish, perfect for summer, while the penne funghi’s mushrooms were complemented by red onion and mixed peppers in a tomato sauce.

Ambience

The family-run eatery succeeds in creating a homely atmosphere.

Price

There is a £15.50 two-course early evening menu available, seven days a week, which is really great value.

Something special

There’s a separate vegan menu – more places should follow suit.

Toilets

Perfectly clean and comfortable.