Enjoying a 'Super Lunch' at Jamie's Italian

Good old Jamie. Not content with happily bouncing around the kitchen on our televisions, producing fail-safe Christmas presents in the form of colourful cookery books, and saving our children from the perils of turkey twizzlers - he's also put together a successful chain of quality Italian restaurants! I'd never been to a Jamie's Italian before and, if I'm honest, I was a little unsure about what the experience was going to be like. I was half expecting the walls to be plastered with photographs of the cheeky chef, and for there to be a little too much focus on the celebrity side of things. So it was a great relief to walk inside and discover a subtle, tastefully decorated restaurant - with plenty of incredible smells floating through the air. Jamie's influence is found where it should be - in the authentic, bold flavours on the menus, and the unpretentious and accessible approach to good food.  On arrival, Gemma and I were shown to our table by the friendly serving staff, and presented with the brand new, 'Super Lunch' menu, which the restaurant is serving from Monday to Friday. Although it's a lunch menu, it's actually on offer all the way up until 6pm - so there's nothing to stop you doing what we did, and dropping in after work for a great value evening meal. Going a little later also meant we were able to enjoy a carafe of the fruity house red, guilt-free! After a quick taster - a crisped pepper with whisked buffalo milk - it was time for our starters. I'd eat pasta everyday if society wouldn't judge me for it, but the sheer quantity of pasta that I consume means pasta dishes generally have to be pretty spectacular to impress me. Fortunately, it quickly became clear, as I twirled the perfectly al dente, handmade pasta around my fork, and enjoyed the silky smooth truffle sauce, that this pasta was a huge step up from my usual Sainsbury's 'Basics' penne, and I thoroughly enjoyed my parmesan-dusted starter. Gemma's chicken-liver pâté with pancetta looked equally delicious and sizeable, and I couldn't help feeling that the starters alone might even be enough to satisfy the lunchtime cravings of many people. I certainly wasn't complaining as the main courses arrived, however. I'd gone for a hefty Italian steak and chips, and the meat was perfectly flash-fried on either side to leave it juicy and pink in the middle. Gemma, meanwhile, went for the tasty Gennaro's Chicken Club Sandwich, which was packed with flavour and sauces. By this point, we were both pretty full, but considering adding a third course costs just £2 extra, it seemed rude not to. My Raspberry and Blackberry Pavlova, brought a taste of summer to the crisp winter's evening, but I have to admit to feeling a little jealous of Gemma's warm brownie, which was baked to be crisp and flaky on the outside, but deliciously indulgent and gooey on the inside. We both polished off our deserts, and were feeling nice and full - even though we'd arrived hungry for an evening meal, and had ordered from the lunchtime menu. If you've been before, you probably already know that Jamie's Italian does great Italian food in a relaxed setting, but if you've not tried it, then you have to go along and give the 'Super Lunch' a go. At £10.95 for two courses, or £12.95 for three courses, it's great value, and you'll enjoy a wide selection of choice, service from friendly staff members, and a tasty meal of good, wholesome food! Bellisimo! Read more about Jamie's Italian Nottingham here.