We have tried to book at table at Borgo, the independent Italian restaurant on Oakbrook Road (near the Greystones/Ecclesall area of Sheffield) a few times but it’s always been fully booked. We eventually managed to secure a table with some friends one dark, wintery evening, and I was very excited to go.

Whilst it’s not the most renowned for gluten free, it has a great reputation generally, and it does have some GF dishes marked on the menu. We’re talking four out of eleven antipasti dishes, for example, and two out of seven sides – so if you want loads of choice and a separate GF menu, this might not be the place for you. But if you’re looking for high quality, artisanal food and you don’t mind a slightly limited choice, it’s worth a try.

My husband and I shared starters, which were the Arrosticini Abruzzesi (grilled lamb skewers with lemon and salt to you and me) and scallops in butter sauce with a hint of garlic and chilli. They were both fabulous, with the high quality and perfectly cooked main ingredients speaking for themselves, with just a few simple supporting flavours.

Unusually for me, I went with more red meat for my main course. Normally I’d have been tempted by the fish dishes like Merluzzo e Lenticchie (pan seared cod on lentils) or Orata alla Pizzaiola (oven baked sea bream) but I must have been especially hungry!

The steak, cooked medium rare to my liking, came with plenty of shaved parmesan, cherry tomatoes and rocket. Because I couldn’t have the French fries, mine had a side of rosemary roast baby potatoes, which went perfectly with the steak. Simple but hearty fare, well executed.

Surprisingly, after all that (I’m sure I left a few potatoes!), I still had just enough room for a dessert, which was a pannacotta with cherries. As per the other dishes, simple but wonderful. Soft, creamy pannacotta and the tang of cherries. What’s not to love?

With prices ranging from £13 – 16 for starters (some of the non-GF were a little cheaper) and £27 – 36 for main courses, this isn’t the cheapest of restaurants, but the food was very high quality, the service was attentive and I felt looked after. Despite the disclaimer on the menu, the staff did what was needed to make my food safe, and I would definitely go back.

Borgo
139-141 Oakbrook Road, Sheffield S11 7EB