What could be better on a sunny Sunday afternoon than enjoying some fresh pasta and a spritz on the terrace at Caffe Parma in Hyndland? It’s always been a strong contender as one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow.
By Amy Glasgow
With ample outdoor seating overlooking the tennis courts, as soon as the sun comes out, this place is full of diners taking advantage of the rarely seen Scottish sun. Today, I am no different, sipping on a Limoncello spritz and struggling to make the always challenging choice – pizza or pasta?
How it Begins
I delay that decision by starting my meal with the Gamberoni; king prawns in a chilli and garlic dressing. What arrives is a beautifully bold and bright dish, with a generous serving of seared king prawns, soft cherry tomatoes and that chilli garlic dressing. I don’t think I could have chosen a better starter to enjoy in the glorious July sun. I am kicking myself though for not ordering a side of focaccia to mop up that fragrant sauce that is left at the bottom of the bowl.
Decisions Decisions!
Next up, I decide to keep things light with a true Italian classic: linguine vongole. A generous helping of clams cooked in garlic, chilli and white wine tossed through linguine. I am amazed by just how many clams I find nestled amongst the tangle of pasta – there is certainly no scrimping on the portions here. The flavour is delicate and fresh, with a slight sweetness from the clams, wine and onions. A twist of freshly ground salt would take this dish from great to sublime.
On the specials menu, my dining parters eyes are immediately drawn to the squid ink ravioli filled with prawns and n’duja. It’s a strong choice. The ravioli is packed with filling, and the salty spice from the n’duja works wonderfully with the prawns and the rich, creamy tomato sauce the pasta is served in.
Room for Pudding?
We finish the meal with the only dessert appropriate for this weather: an affogato. At Caffe Parma, a couple of heaped scoops of vanilla ice cream is accompanied by fresh espresso and a shot of amaretto. This is definitely a plus for me, I love that nutty, marzipan flavour in addition to the bitterness of the espresso. The perfect end to a delicious lunch in the sun.
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