With so many Italian restaurant chains out there at the moment it can be difficult to stand out. Whilst I am a huge fan of the local trader it can be difficult to get friends to places they haven’t heard of at times. Ask Italian took their pizzas by their crusts and decided to do something to stand out, a national pizza flair competition with the final in Manchester. I popped along to see how the finalists got on and to try their new sourdough based pizzas.
Judged by Ask’s Head of Learning and Development Sarah Gribbon, MEN Writer Emily Heward and Celebrity Chef Theo Randall via Skype (a very strange experience!) the champion on the night was local entry Hemant Mistry! Well done to him. Not only does he win the title of ‘pizza flarer of the year 2015’ he also wins a cookery masterclass at Theo’s restaurant and an overnight stay with is partner in London. Perhaps I should enter next year…
It really is all about the base at Ask Italian and their newest type, sourdough, gives a grainier crust with a slightly tangy taste. I really liked it but I know others at the table weren’t so sure and found it a bit too dry. Toppings wise the steak on the ‘rump steak tagliata’ was wonderfully rare and soft. The chilli was a little too much and took over the taste of the salsa verde but top marks for trying something a bit different. The ‘carne’ with luganica sausage, pork and beef ragu, spinach, fontal cheese and smoked prosciutto was good with plenty of toppings and a real meat fest.
Unfortunately the pasta dishes were a little disappointing. The ‘ravioli marittimi’ filling of crayfish, crab, salmon and ricotta was a little too blended and needed a bit more bite. The pasta was the same, a bit too soft and cooked al dente would have given it more texture. The sauce was rich and creamy but there wasn’t enough of it meaning the flavour was lost and the whole dish a bit dry.
The ‘linguini con frutti di mare’ was the same story. Not enough sauce and the pasta overdone yet the squid, mussels, clams and prawns were freshy and light. A real shame as it could have been a great dish.
The new Ask Italian has taken over part of the old Kro site on Piccadilly Gardens and with Zizzi and Pizza Express as neighbours, it will be a tough crowd to draw in. The sourdough pizzas are worth a try though and the large space means there is likely to be a table available at most times of the day.
Now about that pizza flaring… I’m off to prep the dough…
I was invited to Ask Italian as a guest and was not asked to pay for my food.
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