CELEBRITY chef Aldo Zilli has just launched a new regional feature menu ‘Giro d’Italia’ (journey through Italy) at the award-winning San Carlo Cicchetti restaurant and bar on King Street West.

The Giro d’Italia menu is a fantastic way for us to showcase the variations in local Italian cuisine

Each month, the Giro d’Italia menu will feature a different region of Italy, exploring the culinary specialities unique to that location. The specials menu comprises several strictly authentic dishes crafted from seasonal ingredients flown in from the featured region.

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The June launch sees Cicchetti take a gastronomic tour of Aldo Zilli’s home, Abruzzo. This central region stretches from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, covering a wild and mountainous terrain. Known as the greenest region of Italy, Abruzzo has a rich culinary tradition. Here you’ll find sea fare, lamb, kid, locally produced smoked meats, sausages, salamis and some excellent locally produced wines.

July will see Cicchetti journey deliciously through Sicily, San Carlo Group Chairman Carlo Distefano’s place of birth.

Commenting on the launch of the Abruzzo menu, Aldo Zilli said: “I learned to cook with my mamma back home in Alba Adriatica, it’s a charming seaside town where our food is simple; it’s minimally mucked-about. For me the best cooking combines great simplicity with great taste.

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“The Giro d’Italia menu is a fantastic way for us to showcase the variations in local Italian cuisine and to continue to do what Cicchetti does best, delicious, authentic food where the quality of seasonal ingredients is allowed to shine through. I hope you’ll come and sample the taste of my home town.”

For dinner reservations call San Carlo Cicchetti on 0161 839 2233.

Follow San Carlo Cicchetti on twitter @SanCarlo_Group

Giro d’Italia Abruzzo Menu by Aldo Zilli for Cicchetti

Pallotte Cac`e`ove servite con pomodoro e scaglie di caciotta al tartufo nero

Classic abruzzo cow cheese balls served with tomato sauce and sliced black truffle caciotta £6.95

Tortino Di Melanzane gratinate con scamorza e salsiccia abruzzese

Gratin of aubergines with scamorza cheese and spicy Abruzzo sausage £8.95

Chitarra ai scampi e zafferano di Navelli

Abruzzo pasta, langustines and saffron from National Park of Navelli £13.95

Sagne e ceci

Typical abruzzi handmade “sagne” pasta served with chick peas and slightly spicy

garlic and herb sauce £5.95

Arrosticini

Special skewers made from abruzzo lamb`s meat £9.95

Guazzetto di baccala

Abruzzo style guazzetto of salted cod with olives £7.95

Finocchio arance ceci sedano

Fennel, orange, chick peas and celery £5.95

Cozze e Vongole piccanti

Spicy mussels and clams, Adriatic style £5.95

Red wine recommendation: Montepulciano ZANNA by ILUMINATI. 100% Montepulciano. Intense ruby red, dry and elegant.

White wine recommendation: Pecorino. Meaning sheep, this superb wine is made from Pecorino grapes. Straw yellow, medium bodied.