Offering the successful combination of an all day caffè, restaurant, foodshop and deli, visitors can enjoy Italian dining, fresh takeaway food and specialist shopping from morning to night in the centre’s Destination Dining quarter. This brand new state-of-the-art development features covered colonnades overlooking a central outside courtyard, so diners can enjoy lunch in the sun or dinner under the stars all year round.
THE CAFÈ AND RESTAURANT
Carluccio’s welcomes visitors with warm and inviting interiors. Take your pick from an array of fixed and banquette seating, a long community table topped with red fabric pendant lighting overhead and dark wooden caffè tables scattered throughout.
Using the freshest ingredients, many sourced direct from Italy, the summer restaurant menu has something for everyone. Look forward to an array of authentic Italian dishes, from delicious calamari fritti (rings of deep fried calamari served with lemon) or mozzarella dell’isola (long cured Parma ham, topped with rocket, roasted pepper and melted buffalo mozzarella).
Much-loved mains include tortelloni di cervo (handmade fresh tortelloni filled with wine braised venison), penne giardiniera (Pugliese penne with courgette, chilli, and deep fried spinach balls with parmesan and garlic) and delectable meat, fish and vegetarian dishes including orata con salsa e patate (fillet of sea bream, pan fried with a tomato salsa and sautéed potatoes) and fegato e patate (pan-fried calves liver with red onion marmalade and sautéed rosemary potatoes).
Those with room left can indulge in delectable desserts including panna cotta (delicious vanilla and rum flavoured cream with candied orange) and tiramisu (Savoiardi biscuits soaked in strong espresso coffee and coffee liqueur with mascarpone and chocolate), which are all the more delicious when served with a glass of Vin Santo.
As well as great food, Carluccio’s offers excellent value for money, with two courses setting you back as little as £15.
FOODSHOP AND DELI
Carluccio’s deli features a colourful array of freshly-made dishes available for lunch on-the-go including tasty ciabatta sandwiches, piadina (Italian flat bread), light salads and daily hot dishes such as roast topside beef with salsa verde or meatballs in tomato sauce. Head to the foodshop to browse shelves bursting with beautifully packaged Italian oil, wines, coffee, biscuits, pastas, polenta, rice, antipasti, sauces and handmade sweets and chocolate.
PICK UP A PICNIC AT CARLUCCIO’S
Enjoy a slice of Italy this summer by picking up one of Carluccio’s picnics, now available in Milton Keynes. The complete meal al fresco comes in its own reusable blue cool bag and includes Mediterranean bites such as insalata ligure (trofie pasta salad with green beans, parmesan, pinenuts and pesto); cosce di pollo ripiene (oven roasted chicken legs stuffed with herbs, breadcrumbs and mortadella wrapped in pancetta) and pate di sgombro affumicato (smoked mackerel pate with toasted cantina bread); and tortine di frutta (individual fruit tarts) and your choice of red or white Sicilian wine.
Carluccio’s – offering an authentic Italian experience in the heart of Milton Keynes.
Queens Court, thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes, MK9 3ES
Tel: 01908 234 025 / www.carluccios.com
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday : 8am - 11pm, Sunday : 9am - 10pm
