Arcaffe

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses: £12
• House wine: £10.95 per bottle

• High point: Upscale lunch
• Low point: Limited opening hours
• Food served: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm; Thu/Fri 9am-3pm. Closed Sat/Sun
• Open since: 1998
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of menu), Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

This restaurant, only open on weekdays, caters mainly to local professionals who are after an upscale lunch without having to make a trip into the city centre. The smart setting, proficient staff and well-presented dishes ensure that this is a handy venue for charming business clients (or perhaps pestering the boss for a raise). Besides the soup and mixed Italian meats, the starters mainly involve bread, such as bruschetta, focaccia, garlic bread, or, more unusually, garlic bread topped with smoked salmon: with a thick layer of snowy white cream cheese and a sharply acidic side salad, this alone would be enough to keep the tummy filled till five. However, it would be foolish to stop there with such a large selection of pasta, pizzas and meat dishes on offer. The pizzas are large and crispy (but anchovy haters beware, as they are prevalent on several). Veal is pale and interestingly boosted with some powerfully savoury sage. Early doors, breakfast is served, including porridge and an excellent value full Scottish fry-up. Takeaway is available next door from the Sandwich Concept, which is part of the same business.