Just Italian

Andrea Haliou, Engomi, Nicosia

22780600

A great addition to Engomi's restaurant scene is Just Italian, which started out as a Paralimni venture and has now become a popular Nicosia hang-out. 

I was there on a busy Saturday night and was pleased to find that it was far from noisy, the service was swift and everything was served relatively quickly. We began our Italian feast with garlic bread, served as a thin-pan pizza, made in a wood-fired oven, as it should be. For mains, there are lots to choose from in the form of refreshing salads, authentic Italian pasta dishes from all regions, great pizza options and various meats and seafood on the grill.

I opted for the chicken and spinach risotto which was superb - it was al dente, the ingredients worked well together, especially with lots of parmesan sprinkled on top. My friend chose the goats cheese, spinach and dried fig salad, a unique fusion of flavours that make a great combination. There are also some interesting pasta dishes that are difficult to find elsewhere on the island, such as the classic Vongole dish of spaghetti with clams, the Amatriciana pasta with pancetta and onions but also different types of ravioli, from salmon to ricotta. 

No Italian meal is complete without a dolce, of which the apple cannelloni with custard sauce is a must-try as well as the calzone with a chocolate and mascarpone filling. A restaurant that pays homage to Italian cuisine with genuinely authentic dishes.

- If you have visited "Just Italian", please post a comment below.