Boboli Restaurant

The good people of Leicestershire seem to be showing their appreciation of Sarah and Lino Poli's efforts to bring real Italian food to their area, though one wonders how much the proximity of East Midlands Airport has to do with this popularity.

Based on the same ideas that were used at their first restaurant, Firenze, at nearby Kibworth Beauchamp, Boboli is none the less more informal and serves pizza and pasta in a relaxed and local traditional setting.

Head Chef Tom Wilde, a young local chap who worked under Lino a year, and rising to the challenge with great style and enthusiasm, is in command of the kitchen, from which dishes of considerable integrity emerge at prices that are really good value. Ten choices of antipasti include seafood salad with fennel, Italian cured ham with seasonal accompaniment, and crostini with chicken liver pate and tomato salsa.

Ample choices of pasta dishes, which can be taken as starters, feature the ever popular spaghetti carbonara, and classic lasagne. Fish dishes are in welcome evidence at Boboli amongst the daily specials, and ten pizzas have a frutti di mare choice, and the uniquely Italian pizza dish, artichoke, olives, Italian cured ham and mushrooms.

The passion of Italy is well expressed in the sweet confections, ranging from tiramisu to the Boboli's own take on ice cream, with the ever present temptation of Italian cheese, served here with mustard fruits and bread.

Italians are rightfully loyal to their own products whenever possible, and the wine list always offers an opportunity to do this in style, which has not been lost at Boboli.