Salvi’s Manchester Northern Quarter

Salvi’s NQ is the baby of what claims to be Manchester’s first independent Neapolitan restaurant, and if traditional, authentic southern Italian cuisine is on your mind, this is definitely a place to sniff out.

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 – think ‘ndjua sausage and burrata, smoked mozzarella and mozzarella di bufala cheeses.

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.

Want to be the first to receive all the latest news, tips, articles, guides and updates from Confidential Guides? Sign up here.