Enjoy Christmas at Jamie's Italian in Nottingham

We were recently invited to try the new Christmas menu at Jamie's Italian on Low Pavement in Nottingham City Centre - a festive feast the Italian way! For those who don't know Nottingham, Jamie's is in the perfect location by day to rest your shopping feet and in the heart of the action by night. So back in early November we took our seats at a table with a view of the beautiful gardens out back, before Christmas crackers had even appeared on the table and Bing Crosby played in the background. If you've not been before, it's set in one of the most stunning buildings in Nottingham with vintage style decor, mismatched chairs and shabby chic crockery. There wasn't yet a bauble in the house but the menu on the table switched us straight into Christmas mode and ready to indulge in the festive fayre. Jess, a restaurant manager, talked us through the options. To start, a Christmas version of their famous antipasti planks featuring a pistachio mortadella ham, an exclusive San Daniele prosciutto which had been aged for two years in the restaurant, and festive sliced chargrilled and marinated seasonal vegetables. Yummy, and not a prawn cocktail in sight! All the seasonal cured meats come from Ezechiello Levoni, who is famous for winning a gold medal for one of his salamis at an exhibition for modern arts in 1913 despite skeptics saying he would only win 'when pigs grow wings'. Not only did he win, but he was inspired to create his famous pig with wings logo. For mains the feast really began with a choice of 24-hour slow roasted pork belly which melted in the mouth, a twist on traditional roast turkey, with Porchetta that was filled with the most fruity stuffing I've ever tried and a Christmas Venetian fish stew. Cockles, clams, mussels and other sustainable fish were served in a gorgeous tomatoey sauce and was definitely my favourite. Last but definitely not least in my book was pudding! An epic chocolate brownie and a plate of Italian cheeses. Not all on the same plate of course. I make brownies to my own personal recipe and don't usually eat anyone else's however I had to begrudgingly give Jamie's a ten out of ten. Served with popcorn and amaretto ice cream, I didn't leave myself much room to try the cheeses. I can't promise there won't be a brussel sprout in sight (or nobby greens as we say here in Notts) but I can recommend a Christmas meal at Jamie's Italian is a fantastic twist on traditional kind of menus. So if you're not a big fan of pigs in blankets and want to do Christmas in style this year, call Jess and her friendly team to reserve your table before they get booked up. Ciao for now mi ducks!       If you want to be in with a chance of winning a meal for two plus a free bottle of wine at Jamie's Italian then pop into our Tourism Centre on Smithy Row, Nottingham. Anyone who spends £10 or more on gifts and goods in the shop will be entered into a draw to win this fabulous seasonal prize.