The clue’s in the name: Toscano excels at a menu inspired by Tuscan specialties and traditional Italian home cooking. This relaxed, welcoming restaurant is a long standing favourite with locals thanks to its characteristic Tuscan inspired ingredients where food is served up with respect for tradition. Set in a charming cobbled street in the cities old town with a pared-back elegant interior – dark wood, black leather, soft lighting– which all reflects the traditional perfection of the food and wine on offer. Lunchtime finds Toscano calm and the cooking relaxed and assured with a speedy business menu lunch option that changes weekly.
The menu is focused on a refined takes on simple, classic dishes served with generous portions, such as the pappardelle with wild boar Bolognese sauce or spaghetti with clams, garlic and parsley. Toscano though is perhaps most famous for its fish dishes, so much so that it even has regular events themed just around fish specialties. The sea bass baked in salt with grilled vegetables is a simple classic that quickly evokes a feeling of eating out under the Mediterranean sunshine.
Although traditional the menu still has plenty of capacity to surprise, with a recently added a fun, contemporary sharing plate concept based on small tapas style dishes that are perfect for a relaxed, lively dinner and drinks with friends after work. Sharing plates of delicious home-made spinach and ricotta tortellini in sage butter, octopus with potatoes and olives and courgette soufflé with black truffle and parmesan sauce will easily make you ask for the menu to order up more.