The Review:
Visit: 8 April 2022
Award: 2 AA Rosettes
Price: **
Website: https://www.caldesi.com/caldesi-in-campagna/
Caldesi in Campagna (Caldesi in the county) is located in the village of Bray, near Maidenhead. They serve seasonal, regional Italian food, using locally sourced ingredients. Head Chef Gregorio Piazza studied in Augusta, Italy and has been with Caldesi since the age of 19. His cooking is traditional Italian style.
The restaurant is very popular due to the excellent food and friendly service.
To start with, we were served arancini rice balls stuffed with Porcini mushroom and pecorino, coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried. These were the best arancini I’ve eaten.
A selection of bread, including bread sticks and focaccia were served with very good olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We purchased some of the oil to take home with us.
Our starters were pappardelle with a classic slow cooked beef ragu, and a carpaccio of marinated beef with mustard and lemon dressing, rocket and Parmesan. Both were very good.
The main course of pan-fried calf’s liver, with butter, garlic and sage, and olive oil mashed potato was perfectly cooked, melting in the mouth. We also tried the veal parcels that were filled with pecorino cheese, Porcini mushrooms, and served with spinach. Both main courses were excellent.
We completed the meal with excellent Italian coffee and a small flight of grappa. Grappa is made by distilling the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems left over from winemaking after pressing the grapes. It’s quite fragrant, and can be strong, containing 35 to 60 percent alcohol by volume. It’s a perfect conclusion to a great Italian dinner.
Caldesi in Campagna is a very good Italian restaurant serving traditional family style cooking. The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. I will be returning when I’m back in Bray.
The Menu
The Food
The Restaurant and drinks
Outside the restaurant
The digestif trolley
A selection of grappa
