Well, there's a brave move, I thought, as I saw Italian restaurant Topolino preparing to open in October last year.
It sits on Dean Street, just opposite veteran Newcastle Italian restaurant Marco Polo , just up the bank from both Prima and Pizza Express, and not too far from the another 2018 arrival, Pizza Punks – never mind the rest.
However, this intimate, classy little place – which took over from Indian restaurant Rasoi – was absolutely buzzing when I visited with my husband on a Saturday night.
What does the name mean?
Topolino or "little mouse" is the nickname for both the popular Fiat 500 car and, in Italy, for Mickey Mouse.
What's it like inside?
The restaurant is decorated in dark grey with chandeliers and richly coloured prints and murals of Italian Renaissance masters.
The tables are beautifully set with white linen cloths and fresh flowers, but more importantly, the staff are warm and welcoming with lovely smiles and chat, and their service is impeccable.
There's a "but"
As vegetarians (who eat any cheese) we did not try the steaks or house special fish dishes but, sadly, there's a but. While I loved the rich, creamy tomato sauce served with two of our choices, and the perfect pizza bases, the rest of the food was only middling.
Topolino has five stars on Trip Advisor and lots of enthusiastic comments, but I can only manage three. Perhaps meat eaters fare better.
OK, what did you have to start?
I chose the warm goat's cheese and beetroot on a bed of rocket (£7.50) and this was absolutely delicious, served with roasted cherry tomatoes. It went perfectly with my glass of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. I was a bit thrown by the crinkle-cut beetroot though and the rocket was rather pale.
My hubby opted for one of the specials of arancini (£6.95), a deep-fried ball of rice and cheese, with a potato croquette, that tasty tomato sauce, and – unnecessarily – attractive twists of pizza dough. They were good, but it was a carb overload.
And for mains?
I went for parpadelle – wide ribbons of pasta – in a creamy version of the same delicious tomato sauce, with roasted vegetables (£10.95). The veg consisted of lightly roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, and chopped slivers of courgette. There was also broccoli and onion, neither of which tasted roasted, and, disappointingly, no roasted peppers.
My husband chose the Caprese pizza (£11.95) which had five tomato slices topped with buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil and, unexpectedly, another cheese along with the tomato sauce beneath. Richer and fattier than expected, but if you're a fan of Quattro Formaggio, it's very like that, only with Duo Formaggio. He accompanied it with a refreshing glass of cold Birra Moretti lager.
Any sides?
It being asparagus season, we ordered roasted asparagus and parmesan (£4.20). However, when it arrived it was drenched in a stringy cheese sauce and the asparagus looked like that from a tin – ie pale, soggy and disintegrating.
I asked whether it was fresh asparagus and the cooking method was blamed for its appearance – but we were quickly offered a replacement or for it to be removed from our table and the bill. We opted for the latter.
Did you manage dessert?
We were pretty full but thought you would want to know about the puds, so valiantly ordered a lemon sorbet and a tiramisu (£5.50 each).
The sorbet came in a lemon skin – which we'd seen before at some Indian restaurants. We were warned that the tiramisu was enormous and so it proved. However, it was mainly marscapone and I had to hunt out the odd, slightly coffee-flavoured pieces of sponge. It lacked both booziness and a chocolate/cocoa topping.
Overall?
Our bill came to £63.65 and I would definitely go back – if they'll have me – for a main course and for the surroundings and staff, but not for a three-course meal or special occasion I'm afraid.
