Salvi’s | Corn Exchange

Salvi’s – or Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar & Restaurant, to give it its full name – claims to be Manchester’s first independent Neapolitan restaurant and deli, and it is certainly somewhere to head if traditional, authentic Italian cuisine is on your mind.

Headed up by chef patron Maurizio Cecco, the family-run Salvi’s is named after his father, while the cooking is inspired by his mother’s kitchen back home in Naples – the Nonna Teresa dish of rigatoni pasta with pistachio pesto and pancetta is named after her. “Our passion for the produce of our home region of Campania in Italy is behind everything that we do,” says Maurizio, and the dishes are made using the finest quality ingredients imported directly from Italy – some, including the burrata, smoked mozzarella and mozzarella di bufala are also available to buy from the deli counter.

Pastas change regularly, but think classic pasta pomodoro made with fresh Italian San Marzano tomatoes, spaghetti vongole or orecchiette with broccoli, pancetta and pecorino.

There are Neapolitan pizzas and pizza fritta, meat and vegetarian options of arancini and polpette, gnocchi Sorrentina and fresh ricotta dumplings. There is also a specials board, including the likes of Sartù di riso, a typical Neapolitan baked rice timbale with ragu and peas, and most of the vegetarian dishes can be made vegan on request.

Afters, however dainty, are all part of the Salvi’s ritual, and authentic Italian sweet treats include cannoli nut ganache-filled cigars and proper gelato, or house specials such as pistachio tiramisu. Mama Mia indeed.