After a frenzied round of present buying, KATHERINE MACALISTER is soothed by Carluccio’s Christmas menu

While most of us scrunch our faces up in horror at the mere prospect of Christmas shopping and all the expense, hustle and bustle involved, some places are put on this earth to make your world a little bit easier at this time of year, and Carluccio’s is one of them.

In fact I can heartily recommend the late night shopping at Bicester Village, where there are a fraction of the people around on a Thursday night and you can have supper there into the bargain, making it the most successful present buying expedition we’ve ever had.

Like reindeers with a carrot in sight, it was much easier knowing that a lovely bowl of pasta awaited us at the end as we accumulated Christmas presents at a rate of knots. So by the time we presented our weary bodies at the Italian restaurant, wallets bleeding, arms weighed down by excessive purchasing, it was akin to turning up at the proverbial inn.

And while they didn’t wash our feet or mop our brows, the lovely glass of Prosecco which began our Christmas menu experience and a smile from our rather handsome waiter George did the trick.

Mr Greedy’s panicky look receded as he glanced at the Christmas menu, because instead of turkey and stuffing he realised he could eat steak. Result. Only the Italians could get away with something so obviously beneficial at this time of year, and it was as if a fairy had waved her magic wand. Four courses for £32, and there was lobster on the menu too.

He chose the antipasto della casa to start – pate, crostini, caponata, olives, tomatoes and focaccia – having lots of time to deliberate over the menu because I was still flirting with the waiter, poor chap.

Always contrary, I ordered the fritto misto to nibble and the insalata di mozarrella to start (£5.50) which came with red and yellow cherry tomatoes with capers, rocket, fresh herbs and olive oil, and both were so delicious that in no time at all had forgotten our seasonal worries and were having a whale of a time.

The bistecca all griglia (8oz ribeye steak served with truffle butter and rosemary potatoes) was next up and could have done with some veg, although Mr Greedy was delighted with his main. Sadly the Gnocchi Al Gorgonzola (£8.95) fresh potato gnocchi with a gorgonzola and spinach sauce, didn’t match up. The first time I sent it back, it didn’t have enough sauce, and the second time the sauce was so insipid it was hard to detect any cheese in it at all, let alone the stench of blue.

But as I was having such a lovely time it didn’t really matter and I concentrated instead on helping Mr Greedy with his warm plum tart and vanilla ice cream, which defied description but was like being wrapped up in a warm blanket and rocked slowly to sleep. Bliss. This was then followed by his cheese course (both cheeses being chosen by you from the deli) and served with honey, pickled walnuts and Ciappe flat bread.

Complete with party hats and a cracker each we looked rather out of kilter with the rest of the chic and well groomed clientele at Bicester Village but who cares? We were happy and for that I am eternally grateful. It was the best night out we’ve had for ages and at £32 per person for the four-course Buoni Feste is highly recommended.

Carluccio’s Bicester Village, 50 Pingle Drive
carluccios.com
01869 247651