It might be the summer holidays, but for us, they began with a house move and managing print deadline—nothing stressful about that happening while the kids are off, is there? We had been meaning to get down to San Carlo since they launched their new kids’ menu, and what better time to go than to escape moving boxes, step away from the screen, and enjoy a true taste of Italy? The kids love Italian food, and there is something about family dining in Italy that makes it so much more relaxing because they genuinely embrace children and the chaos they can bring. For more on our experiences with family food favorites, check out the joy of family dining.

San Carlo Alderley Edge was no different. The family-friendly atmosphere instantly put both us and the children at ease—including our youngest, Hartley, who has autism and is non-speaking. I genuinely do not think we have ever been to a restaurant where we haven’t had to take turns doing laps of the dining room or taking him for breaks outside. Yet, we could not believe how he just sat down and stayed there, smiling for the entire duration, happily tucking into his arancini starter followed by lasagne, both from their fantastic new kids’ menu.

Like our friends at San Carlo, BROOD is a family-run magazine, so Jess—our Art Director (who is also my sister)—was right in the thick of the print deadline too. She came along with her two children, Dexter (8) and Violet (5). For a couple of hours, the looming deadline was pushed to the back of our minds, and we could have easily been back on the shores of Lake Garda!

Sometimes you just need to escape the house or the office and not have to think about what to cook for tea. Whether it’s school holidays, or the middle of the week where the weekend feels too far away. San Carlo was the perfect remedy because the food is honestly so authentic and delicious. It did not feel like we were just taking the kids out for a generic children’s meal to keep them quiet—it was a real treat for the adults too.

A Feast for the Whole Family

I ordered San Carlo’s famous Spaghetti Frutti di Mare, which is a seafood pasta dish, and it was so good. It even sparked some curiosity from our eldest, Cole (14), who tried clams straight from my dish. Having already known he liked mussels and prawns, it is safe to say he is officially a seafood lover like his mum! Jess, also a seafood fan, opted for the seafood ravioli in a pink peppercorn sauce, while Rob—who is vegetarian—was spoiled for choice before finally settling on a rich, comforting truffle pasta dish.

We made the meal a strict no-phone zone, and it was wonderful watching the kids play noughts and crosses, draw, colour, talk, and make happy “hmm” and “ahh” sounds as they tucked into their food. There was plenty of sauce smeared around their mouths—the ultimate testament to how much they devoured everything!

Our visit was brilliantly rounded off with a trip to the dessert trolley, where each of the kids picked their own toppings for their ice cream. Archer (8) looked like he was almost in a daze, he was so excited at all the different toppings he could choose from—he would eat ice cream from morning until night if he could! Lyla-Rose (13) may also have jumped into scraping the bowl of Rob’s dessert after finishing her own, devouring the taste of the San Carlo special dessert that was meant to be shared by two people. All I got was a rather delicious Ferrero Rocher though—t’s not like you, Rob, to hog a dessert, is it!

Anywhere you can take the kids where you know they are eating high-quality food, where they can actually just be kids without feeling pressured to sit rigidly quiet or still for the duration, and where the adults can enjoy a brilliant meal and a summer spritz or two (deadline-week fizz is always essential!) is a complete win in our books.

We honestly cannot recommend visiting them yourself enough. Yes, San Carlo are our friends and one of our valued brand partners, but there is a reason they have achieved success on a global level. They have mastered the perfect blend of beautiful settings without the pretence, a welcoming Italian atmosphere, fantastic teams, and food that—honestly—speaks entirely for itself.

Sample Children’s Menu

Dishes may vary slightly by location, but a typical offering includes:

• Starters: Arancini, Garlic Bread, Mozzarella Sticks or Vegetable Sticks
• Mains: Traditional Lasagne, Pizza, Spaghetti Bolognese, Salmon or Chicken Goujons with Fries.
• Desserts: Gelato, Fruit or Cheesecake.

Where to Find It

The new kids’ menu is available across select San Carlo locations throughout the UK. Visit https://sancarlo.co.uk/ for the full list of restaurants, including:

• Alderley Edge
• Manchester (King Street and City Centre)
• Liverpool
• Leeds
• London (Regent Street)

The Children’s menu is also available in San Carlo’s Cicchetti & Fumo concepts too.

BROOD were invited for a complimentary meal at San Carlo, in return for an honest review.