Star rating system 1* = Keep well away 2* = Approach with care 3* = Worth a visit, good experience 4* = Must give this a whirl, very good 5* = The very best - book now! FELICINI, BAKEWELL - reviewed July 2010 One of a small chain of Italian-inspired, contemporary restaurants serving modern food in stylish surroundings. Our most recent visit to this attractively located restaurant on the banks of the river Wye at Bakewell, Derbyshire was a July 2010 lunchtime as we rewarded ourselves after lots of hard work prior to the launch of our new Availability Calendars for clients of our Let's Stay business. Un-announced and without a reservation we arrived at the contemporary, Italian-influenced restaurant at lunchtime on a brisk, bright July afternoon. Following a friendly greeting from a member of staff we were offered the choice of eating al fresco (by the riverside) or in the light and airy restaurant itself complete with glass-floored cover to a visible underground stream above which the modern building stands. We chose to eat inside (although it was still quite draughty) and were offered a choice of table. Several diners were also eating inside and a few were also enjoying some (rather too) fresh air. We ordered a familiar and excellent bottle of Gavi (£23.85), a jug of tap water and were each given a copy of the (newish) a la carte menu as, surprisingly, no set lunchtime special was offered or available. To begin with Bridget chose the Barbequed Sea Scallops (£7.50) and I opted for Eggs Florentine (£6.25 and an old favourite of mine) and whilst my baked dish of eggs, buttered spinach, mushroom and parmesan cream was as rich and tasty as usual, Bridget's small dish of three tiny scallops was deemed ungenerous and disappointing, if flavoursome. To follow Bridget opted for for another Barbequed special of Prawns, melon, toasted coconut and Thai salad dressing (£11.50) about which her verdict was 'excellent'. My 'Bacaro steak fries' (£11.95) was a piece of skirt beef, aged for 28 days, served medium rare and topped with a rather odd looking (darkish pink) shallott & red wine butter and accompanied with water cress and fries. A steak knife was offered with this, and needed, but the steak itself was full of flavour, juicy and the food combination proved to be an excellent idea, very eatable and well executed by the chef. We've eaten at Felicini's on several occasions over the past 3 years and generally found the food to be of good quality, the service efficient and the overall experience to be enjoyable; this lunch was no different except for the underwhelming Scallop dish which was pointed out to the friendly and chatty General Manager who promised to report our disappointment to the chef. Star rating score: 3.5 out of 5 Please remember that this review was the subjective opinion of the author at the time of visit and is not, necessarily, an accurate representation of the restaurant as it is today. Additional comments We feel that Felicini's should be offering a set lunchtime special alongside the a la carte menu as well as reviewing the disappointing Scallops dish which ultimately cost them a 4* rating. However, on the basis that we've enjoyed eating there 4 or 5 times a year for the past 3 years we have no hesitation in recommending that you book a table soon. Footnote: The pizzas at Felicini are large, thin, authentic and altogether excellent; try the Fiorentina for a real taste of Italy..! Mike Cummins July 25th 2010 Comments from Felicini No comments yet Opening Hours Monday to Sunday Open from 11am for coffee Restaurant open from 12pm with last bookings at 11pm
Contact details Marble Works Coombs Road Bakewell DE45 1AQ T: 01629 813813 F: 01629 813895 E: bakewell@felicini.co.uk W: www.felicini.co.uk