We were pretty keen to take the new car for a longer drive so accepted an invitation for lunch at the Italian Grill in Dundee.

Italian Grill is located on the square, which is a short walk from a few car parks located around town. We arrived running and sheltering ourselves from the monsoon-like rain. I imagine on a sunny day it has a lovely view, all we managed was people spotting those that were getting drenched outside.

Inside it’s modern and much larger than I expected, I could imagine enjoying a cocktail there on a Friday night, but we were here for lunch and only interested in the food!

As with most Italian restaurants, the menu was quite large with plenty to choose from. Alex started with Aberdeen Angus Beef Carpaccio which was a light dish with blushing pink slices of rare meat served with a wedge of focaccia and chestnuts.

I chose the Confit Duck Leg Rillette with Brioche & Orange, it was pleasant enough but I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t served with the advertised brioche, and the toasted focaccia it was served with had gone cold. I couldn’t really taste the orange flavour running through the rillete, but the beetroot flavoured garnish on the plate looked pretty and added a nice sweetness to the rillette.

For mains we went for a pizza and a pasta to share so we could try both. We chose the Roast Chicken Pizza which was delicious – freshly made in a proper oven which gave it the crispy crust and bottom. No issues here whatsoever, exactly what you want from a pizza.

The highlight of the day was Carbonara Salsiccia, a traditional Tuscan recipe with Tuscan sausage. Freshly made tagliatelle cooked until it still had bite, and a sauce that packed far more flavour than the colour or consistency suggested. A great dish using proper ingredients that resulted in two very happy diners.

We had Nutella Filled Doughnuts for dessert, popping each one so the Nutella oozed out was a side enjoyment that was unexpected but very welcome. Taste wise, sweet, warm doughnuts with molten Nutella, there’s nothing not to like about that. We also had Affogato, because when in Rome… (or Dundee in this case).

A perfectly good lunch, I’d definitely head here for pizza and pasta anytime I find myself in the city of discovery.

Italian Grill
Location: 6 City Square, Dundee DD1 3BA
Good for: Great pasta and pizza