Fratellos

In Jesmond, Fratellos brings an Italian sensibility to Newcastle upon Tyne, with gentle nods to the wider Mediterranean.

This is cooking that prizes comfort and clarity: familiar flavours treated with care, and regional classics delivered with quiet confidence.

Open with a Tuscan-style ribollita soup, peas, carrot, courgette and spinach gathered in a rustic bowl with sourdough for dipping; or choose beef, pork and caramelised onion meatballs in a warming, spicy sauce.

Mains keep the tempo: glazed confit pork belly with potato rosti, sautéed spinach and gravy; and a Provençal fish bouillabaisse brimming with garlic, herbs, mussels and fresh fish. From the oven, pizzas range from classic margherita to the fiery diavola, topped with spicy pepperoni and ’nduja.

Desserts lean indulgent and familiar with summer strawberry cheesecake, or a molten dark chocolate fondant with vanilla cream and dark chocolate sauce.

A table here is worth booking; let Fratellos put a little la dolce vita on the plate, and the rest will take care of itself.