TRADITIONAL, DELICIOUS AND AMAZING LIKE YOU'VE NEVER TASTED BEFORE

At the bottom of Merrion Street you will find the ultimate hub of traditional Italian cuisine – Stuzzi.

Created from an obsession by its four founders to give diners a glimpse of what they can find beyond the tourist traps of Italy, Stuzzi is unique in every way and for four consecutive years has been featured in the Michelin Guide.

Ascending the darkly painted stairway makes you wonder just what you are about to find when you get to the top – but when you do reach it there’s more than a burst of Italian sunshine.

Stuzzi’s design and décor has a wonderful eclectic mix of Victorian, Art Deco and a strong Italian flavour. Wooden tables and chairs laden with gleaming cutlery sit alongside the original tiled arched windows that date back at least 100 years to when the Grand Arcade was the haunt of the fashionable, rich and society of Leeds, their sills laden with antique brick-brac. Venetian shutters and art deco embellishments,  shrubs and plants are doted about with cleverly designed modern chandeliers and ivy clad trellising on the ceiling. But it’s actually the hustle and bustle of the place that consolidates the Italiano  atmosphere.

The name of the restaurant Stuzzi is short for Stuzzichini. These are little plates of Italian cuisine served in small Osterias and bars throughout Italy especially in and around Venice, traditionally eaten by hand, in between drinks to “keep oneself going”

On the menu traditional food sits alongside Italian cooking and Street food essentials that creates a chaotic mix of gastronomic treats from Italy the great food country complimented by imported meats, cheeses and an entire wine list that is Italian.

Stuzzi is best shared between diners in a manner similar to tapas, so that one has the opportunity to enjoy the many different dishes on the menu that have been picked up from the owners travels in Italy.

We decided to go the traditional Stuzzi way but needed to study the menu for the perfect balance and whilst we did this our server suggested a typical Italian cocktail – Negroni – which happens to be one of my favourite cocktails.

But this one was different as it was made with the recently launched Stuzzi Per Negroni Gin created during lockdown.

The gin was crafted especially for this cocktail using authentic botanicals from all over Italy and it certainly lifts the Negroni rather than working against it and as a regular Negroni drinker I can only say its “Bellissima”.

We decided to start with the sharing platter Piatto Misto – a large platter of imported Italian cheese, salami and antipasti. The platter was more an adequate for two and very good value.

There were 3 different types of salami from the North and South of Italy, 3 cheeses consisting of a cows milk, goats milk and a creamy cheese but it was the many different  types antipasti that we found fascinating including Friarelli, a root vegetable like broccoli , fennel with black pepper and garlic and the marinated Sicilian olives.

Our traditional Stuzzi comprised of four small plates and our server chose an ideal Italian pairing wine.

For one dish my colleague chose Carne Salada. This is a speciality that originated in the town of Tenno, in Sothern Tretino. The rump beef is placed in layers in steel containers with salt, bay leaves, pepper and juniper berries, crushed garlic and rosemary, crushed and then left to rest for a least two weeks.

The rare beef was served thinly slice, with pickled beetroot, pumpkin seeds and goats curd. The beetroot is an ideal accompaniment that brings out something special in the beef . This was a firm favourite with my colleague who compared it to a steak tartare with much more flavour.

Granchio, a venetian style soft shell crab deep fried in Menabrea beer batter topped the bill for me and was served with a caper aioli. The batter was very crispy and tasty and there was plenty of white succulent crab meat in the dish.

The Insalata comprising of Meanwood Valley Farm San Marzana tomatoes, farro, radicchio, fresh mint and red onion and pistachio was sweet and refreshing between tasting each of our dishes.

But it was the pasta that really surprised and delighted us. I have never been a pasta fan and my colleague often admits he never would eat a bowl of pasta but the Basil Ziti was a whole new ball game to us both. I loved it and my colleague admitted this was the only pasta he would ever eat a bowl of ever!! Stuzzi made, the Ziti pasta was tossed with Meanwood Valley Farm turnips, cimi di rapa and caper. Finished with an apple and chilli salsa – which was absolutely delicious and Pecorino Romano it balanced the richness of the whole of our dishes.

When it came to choosing Dolce (sweets) the list was so appealing. All sweets are produced like the bread, in house, from imported Neapolitan Flour and prepared using authentic Italian techniques.

The dessert menu comes with recommended wine pairings which were spot on.

Panino Gelatine was my choice paired ideally with a Planeta, Passito di Noto Moscato. This was a home made Choux bun filled with salted chocolate brownie, sour cherry and pistachio. The sour cherry diffused any sweetness of the filling and gave it a tang that was delicious.

My colleagues Cannola was the ultimate heaven on a plate in every way – both in taste, presentation and texture. It was a deep fried pastry shell filled with a boozy sweet ricotta. Flavoured with dark chocolate, Amarena cherry and sambuca.

This is ideal for people who don’t like too much sweetness. The pastry horn was crispy and the combination of the sweet cherries and Sambuca completed the overall amazing dish that must have come from the Angels kitchen.

I must admit I had to have more than a taste of this delicious offering. It was paired to perfection with Bertani, Recoito della Valpolicella.

Stuzzi is an wonderful place and its staff really do know their stuff about their food. Nothing is too much trouble for them and what’s more they make you feel part of the ‘family’

This is the place to get a true taste of Italy – I say that with both my food and travel writers hat on!

Open: Wednesday to Saturday 12 noon to 11.00am. Sundays 12 noon – 8pm.

Stuzzi 7 Merrion Street, Leeds. Tel 0113 245 5323 @stuzzileeds