Try something different with regionally-inspired specials at this top neighbourhood Italian

Salford’s newly regenerated Chapel Street is home to our favourite neighbourhood Italian restaurant – a real gem of a place offering authentic yet modern Italian cookery.

Vero Moderno’s menu is always inspiring. Think antipasti dishes, freshly made pastas and Roman style pizzas with homemade tomato sauce alongside fresh grilled meats and fish, rather than tired old spag bol, lasagne or carbonara.

But did you know that Vero Moderno also offers regionally-inspired specials every month, normally with a special main and a starter, as well as an ever-changing homemade ravioli?

Head over this month, and you can be treated to Paccheri pasta with fresh grilled swordfish in a chilli and garlic ratatouille, as well as a ‘posh fish fingers’ starter of fresh tuna fingers coated in pistachio breadcrumbs and served with a sweet and sour red pepper and onion relish.

Where else would you find dishes like that?

The menu at Vero Moderno is always a team effort, with each of their chefs contributing a part of their regional heritage to the dishes on offer – and the specials are no exception.

Head chef Marvin, for example, specialises in seafood, fish and shellfish being from Pescara, a little village on the Adriatic coast where his mum owns one of the most famous seafood spots in the city.

Chef Alam, meanwhile, uses his Bangladesh background mixed with his twenty year residency in Rome, and excels in slow cooked meat and stews for the pastas, adding character to amazing dishes like the slow cooked lamb ragù.

And, of course, Alam will often bring spice and incredible curry flavours when Vero Moderno puts their own twist on traditional dishes and specials.

Chef Gianluca is a master of Neapolitan street food tricks, such as pasta fritters, rice balls arancini, and fried tuna coated in pistachio nuts – and he’s also the chief of the pizza oven.

Owner Beppe, who hails from Rome, supervises the team, keeping a close eye on the authentic thin crust, long-proved Roman style pizza, and ensuring every pizza that goes out looks just like in his childhood memories!

This month’s specials are only available until 21st October, so be quick to catch them – but you’ll also find tempting dishes on the menu all year round at Vero Moderno. 

Homemade king prawn and courgette ravioli, for example, served with a saffron infused butter sauce, or chargrilled polenta with seared baby squid and juicy Italian Datterino tomatoes.

Or how about homemade purple potato gnocchi served with a Parmesan fondue, crumbled speck ham and walnuts?

On top of Vero Moderno’s new Brunch Italiano with unlimited drinks, and their incredible Italian Sunday roasts, which you can read all about here, the team are soon set to open once again for lunch, offering small dishes and a drink as a set lunch menu. 

Be sure to follow them on Instagram to be first to hear about it – and to see all their incredible food and specials!

And in case you need any more encouragement, I Love MCR readers can also get a very special 10% off a la carte dishes and Sunday roasts on your first visit – just click here to find out more.