Don Giovanni’s Live Launch – The Don of Italians Hits the Big Three O

How apt on the week that Ginge hit 29 we found ourselves in Don Giovanni as they launched their ‘live’ Thursdays and hunky-owner Adam told us this classic Mancunian Italian would soon be 30 – just a year older than the orange one, who did look quite mournful as he watches his youth flash by.

the start of DG providing entertainment to capture even more of the theatre audiences

I always forget how lovely this place is with its glittery chrome, winter whites and Verve Clicquot orange-coloured booths (kept loosing Ginge as he nestled back in his seat) and how very chilled the ambience is, with friendly, bustling Italian waiters you half recognise from around town.

The atmosphere has been enhanced further with the addition of Anita Ryan who will be singing every Thursday evening at the Oxford Road eatery and is the start of DG providing entertainment to capture even more of the theatre audiences that regularly dine there.

The pretty brunette (and btw cousin of Jason Manford), created a pleasant musical backdrop to our meal with a sort of lounge lizard vibe that wasn’t intrusive (we could still jabber away without feeling rude) and was sultrily soothing.

The menu here is classic Italian, as indeed are all the kitchen staff now according to Adam, who is keen to make this as authentic as possible.

It is extremely reasonably priced with starters from £3.95 and mains from £7.45 – a glass of fizz is under a fiver. They also boast a daily fresh fish menu, something we hear a lot of in town but don’t always see delivered.

While Anita warbled, I enjoyed giant prawns (£8.95) wonderfully juicy and garlicky, while Ginger had soup (being from Swinton and that). It was meant to be minestrone (£4.95) but he felt, and indeed it looked more like vegetable soup. He prefers vegetable soup so bonus.

Onto mains served by Salvetore, who like all the staff here are friendly and efficient, and I chose veal with sage. This was delicious, tender and worked wonderfully cooked in the traditional way, with the sage sauce creating even more melting moments. A side of roasted potatoes with rosemary was heaven, I wanted to eat it forever.

Ginger was tempted away from his staple of steak by the spaghetti & lobster (£10.95) which was a gorgeous chunk of pinky/white half lobster meat in a creamy sauce. By the smile creeping across his chops I could tell he was relishing it and I almost had meal envy.

We would have had dessert but had to scarper to meet someone so hopefully we’ll be back at some point to do that. Again they were of the traditional variety with profiteroles and panna cotta as well as a delicious sounding cheeseboard served with honey and nuts – which is just how I like it.

Adam told us that there are more exciting things to come at Don Giovanni’s including a private dining area (accommodates upto 80 persons) refurb and fresh pasta making that will be launched at the end of the month and they will be adding to the entertainment as they see what the punters enjoy.

Just the Italian Job and happy 30^th DG.

Location

1-2, Peter House, Oxford St, Manchester M1 5AN

Contact

0161 228 2482

@DonGiovannis

dongiovannis.co.uk