Carluccio's

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

Since opening in November 2011, Carluccio’s has enjoyed a roaring trade and while it’s a chain restaurant it certainly doesn’t feel like one. It’s bright and has a warm welcoming vibe, as well as a cute little deli at the entrance. Once seated try nibbling on their tin of breads while you decide what you want – the freshly baked focaccia is delicious. For a fresh crispy starter try the calamari fritti – no hint of elastic band quality here. Mains wise there are 13 pasta dishes on offer – pick three to share for just £19.95 – a good choice would be the filling and fragrant fettucce con polpette (meatballs). There are a couple of fish and meat plates – the steak with red pepper sauce is very tender, and a great partner to the rosemary potatoes. For pudding the torta di frutta is served so elegantly and tastes ridiculously creamy, while the chocolate bread and butter pudding will surely please adults and kids alike.

• High point: Great service and atmosphere
• Low point: Booking needed to guarantee a table

1. mb, glasgow – 14 March 2012, 1:51pmCarluccio'sReport

Carluccios currently offer a takeaway lunch service as part of the deli but they need to decide whether they are serious about creating a proper lunchtime service or whether it's just an excuse to create a pretty food display.

It's just not geared up to serve people at lunchtime - service is either non existent (i.e no one there to take your order) or incredibly slow.

I've tried the soups a few times, only one has been really good - the rest tasted like franchise fodder, blitzed into baby food. I've given them the benefit of the doubt (because I'm sick of Pret and EAT and I've always had good experiences in their London restaurants) but my patience has worn thin.

Maybe it's franchise fatigue...