I cannot wait to go back to this delicious Italian restaurant in Bristol - here's why

Located on Corn Street, San Carlo Bristol is the second-oldest restaurant in the family-owned brand's portfolio, having opened in 1996.

I was in awe at the decor when I stepped into San Carlo for the first time to preview the exciting new autumn/winter menu.

We were led to a long table decorated in theme with small pumpkins and squashes, orange/red flowers, and candles. It was next to a beautiful tree with delicate white flowers.

The layout of the table created the feeling of a big family dinner where conversations were exchanged with our seat neighbours as we shared lovely glasses of wine.

The dishes were presented in sharing plates where we could each serve ourselves as much as we wanted, and I must admit, it was very difficult to pace myself to try as many dishes as possible for this review.

We started off with some delicious, fluffy, and warm focaccia (Focaccia Pugliese) and Puccia alla ‘Nduja, a traditional bread from Puglia, baked with Calabrian ‘nduja and ricotta. The latter was creamy and full of flavour, but also had a spicy element that would quickly creep up on you.

The antipasta featured Fichi e Culatello (one of Italy’s best known meats, produced in Bassa Verdiana, with a sweet and delicate flavour, served with seasonal figs), Carpaccio di Manzo & Tartufo Bianco (beef carpaccio served with porcini mushrooms and white truffle), Heritage Tomato Salad with goats cheese, black olives and basil, and Polenta Fritta & Crab (fried polenta with fresh crab).

The sweet and juicy figs worked well with the thin, tender ham in the Fichi e Culatella, while the heritage tomato salad was refreshing with juicy tomatoes and creamy cheese.

The Polenta Fritta & Crab didn’t taste fishy, according to my friend, and was soft and creamy with a citrusy hint.

My favourite antipasta, however, was the Carpaccio di Manzo & Tartufo Bianco, which was surprisingly refreshing, juicy, slightly chewy, and bursting with flavour.

We had a preview of San Carlo Bristol's new Autumn/Winter menu - You won't want to miss out

First courses featured Mafaldine con Ragú di Manzo (short wavy pasta with slow-cooked beef ragú), Cartellate Zucca e Tartufo (handmade pasta parcels filled with pumpkin, pecorino, sage, butter, and fresh truffle), Tagliolini Grachio (tagliolini pasta with handpicked crab, tomato, saffron, and a touch of cream), and a bonus pasta dish with sausage and beans.

The pasta on the sausage and beans dish was al dente, while the meat was juicy and slightly chewy. The dish was overall full of flavour with a slight spicy ting. While the meat in the Ragú di Manzo was juicy and melted in the mouth.

The Zucca e Tartufo was beautifully presented in a rose-like shape. It was sweet and very creamy.

The Tagliolini Grachio was very fishy, creamy, and juicy, according to my friend.

Main courses included Beef Cheek & Spinach (slow-cooked beef cheek with a parsley, caper, and garlic gremolata and sautéed spinach), and Branzino al Cortoccio (whole sea bass al cartoccio with tomato and olives).

The beef cheek melted in your mouth and worked very well with the juicy spinach.

While the Branzino al Cartoccio was comforting, soft, nourishing, and delicious, according to my friend.

Finally, desserts included the Mantecato alla Nocciola (soft hazelnut ice cream, crushed Ferrero Rocher and chocolate sauce), Torta Pistacchio (their famous pistachio cake), and a bonus salted caramel and popcorn ice cream.

The cake was smooth and creamy, with a flan-like top layer, and tasted like real pistachio. It paired very well with their vanilla ice cream.

The ice creams, which are made at the San Carlo Manchester kitchen, were absolutely delicious, flavourful, and creamy. It was very difficult to stop eating them!

Overall, it was a very delicious meal with a wonderful atmosphere, and I would highly recommend checking it out if you have the opportunity to.