Gran Sasso
22a North Road, Kirkburton, Huddersfield, HD8 ORH
Rating
Venue Gran Sasso
Tel 01484 606866
Website www.gransasso.co.uk
Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 6pm to 11pm and Sunday 5pm to 10pm
Children Always very welcome
Disabled access Yes, we have a ramp for access and many regular disabled customers
The bill £43.10 for three including a round of drinks
THE village of Kirkburton has much to commend it – a rural location, lovely homes, great shops and a little known Italian restaurant, Gran Sasso, situated in the village’s main street.
This jewel in the village’s crown is only small but offers everything you could ever need from an Italian restaurant.
It caters for all tastes and budgets, offering both ends of the dining out spectrum from affordable pizzas and pastas to more elaborate specials which change on a regular basis.
Describing itself as “the most Italian of Italian restaurants,’’ Gran Sasso has a large à la carte menu, great house specials and contemporary pizza and pasta dishes.
On this occasion we opted for the more affordable pizza and pasta options which are always, I believe, the true test and ‘bread and butter’ of a good Italian restaurant.
So, as to not overface ourselves, we opted for a starter to share of a full round of tomato-topped pizza garlic bread.
Simple and delicious, it touched the spot and set us up for the pasta dishes to follow.
The menu at Gran Sasso has a great choice of delicious pasta dishes and it was this that caught our eye.
Our three choices were Tortellini Crema E Funghi, delicious pasta rings with a cream and mushroom or Bolognese sauce; Pappardelle Amatrician, wide ribbons of pasta cooked in tomato, onions, bacon and garlic and Farfalle Al Salmone, butterfly-shaped pasta with salmon, tomato and cream.
Three piping hot dishes of pasta with various sauces and ingredients arrived to wide acclaim.
My salmon pasta was delicious and contained bite-sized pieces of tender salmon mixed with soft pasta in a delicious rich tomato sauce.
The other two dishes were equally well received and all three came in generous dishes and were eagerly devoured.
To finish off our meal, we opted for an old favourite of chocolate profiteroles.
A large portion arrived which contained three big profiteroles – one for each of us – with a delicious chocolate sauce topping.
Gran Sasso is a delightful restaurant with clean lines and calming decor.
Although moving away from the traditional Italian restaurant colours of red, green and white, Gran Sasso still retains a very definite Italian feel and friendly welcome.
When we visited on a chilly Thursday early evening, it was nice to see the restaurant busy with children among the diners.
Italian restaurants are renowned for their family feel and Gran Sasso is always happy to welcome children as the customers of the future.
Taking a look at the specials menu and the à la carte choices, the innovative menu includes steaks, veal, lamb, beef fillets, sea bass, monkfish, scallops and much more – all in delicious Mediterranean inspired sauces.
Now that we have discovered Gran Sasso, I think we may well be enjoying a return visit in the near future.
It’s ideal for all occasions from a small intimate dinner to a larger gathering or special celebration.
