Hot Italian sausage :Francesco Mazzei, chef at London restaurant L'Anima, which had the famously hard-to-please UK critics singing harmoniously from the same, very complimentary songsheet when it opened in 2008, has succeeded River Café graduate Theo Randall as guest chef at the Pizza Express and Milano chain of restaurants.
Mazzei (above, centre with some of the chain’s pizzaioli), has brought his rustic southern Italian style to bear on two starters, three pizzas and a pasta dish, which went on sale this week at branches of the restaurant known as Pizza Express in the UK, and Milano here.
Calabrian-born Mazzei has insisted that an olive oil from his home town, and pungent Calabrian oregano, rather than basil, be used in his take on the traditional tricolore salad of mozzarella and tomato, and has added a touch of chilli-spiced guacamole (€7.50).
His Insalata Semplice (€6.95) sounds a bit like a classic panzanella salad, with toasted ciabatta tossed with two varieties of tomatoes, buffalo mozarella, red onions, chives and rocket, and a red wine and honey dressing. Pizza Mia Sofia (€14.95) is a tomato-free creation made with three types of mushrooms, named in honour of the chef’s two-year-old daughter. Pizza Rustichella (€13.95) has pancetta and rocket atop a traditional tomato and mozzarella base. Pizza Calabrese (€15.95), a tribute to Mazzei’s grandmother, is not for the faint-hearted, with its hot Calabrese sausage, roquito peppers, green chillies and spicy Nduja sausage, served with peppery watercress. The pasta offering is a mild and creamy mushroom sauce served on tagliolini (€13.65).
The new dishes went on the menu at Milano restaurants in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Killarney and Limerick this week and will be part of the regular menu until autumn.
Valentine's treats for Gourmets
The Je t’aime tasting box by French chocolatier Michel Cluizel contains five beautifully decorated premier cru chocolate discs, and at €3.95, it’s an affordable treat from Terroirs, Donnybrook, D4
Love in the dark
Surprise someone with a trip to the Science Gallery at Trinity College in Dublin 2 this St Valentine’s day, for an experience they might be talking about for ages. Do it in the Dark is a multi-sensory dining and performance art experience run by the New York-based Dark Dining Projects. It’s part of the gallery’s Love Lab: The Science of Desire exhibition. There are limited tickets available for the two-hour evening event which will include a four-course tasting menu, two glasses of wine, and three musical and experimental performances – all of which will be served up in total darkness. Tickets are €45 and can be booked by telephoning 01-8964197. www.sciencegallery.com. mcdigby@irishtimes.com
