Don Alberto’s at The Loom

By Veli & Ayse Kirk

On a beautiful summer’s evening, my Husband and I decided to visit Don Alberto’s in Leigh, a new Italian Restaurant and Cafe Bar in the Loom retail park, which opened in June 2021.

This now completes a trio of award - winning establishments for this family run business. We were not sure if we had to book but took our chances and luckily there had just been a cancellation.

We were greeted by Alberto and his wife Claire, who also own Il Padrino in Middlewich and Don Alberto in Holmes Chapel. We were seated immediately and Alberto talked passionately to us about the business he has started with his chef and business partner Salvatori.

What appealed to us was the outdoor seating area, surrounded by plants. Al Fresco whenever we can. Reminds us of being on the Mediterranean on our holidays. The interior was a combination of contemporary and traditional and the ambience was full of activity and a very popular location.

The menu changes during the day to accommodate each customer, morning shoppers are offered mouth watering cakes and coffee. The lunchtime visitor more traditional Pizza and Pasta and the menu evolves into the evening clientele with speciality dishes, steaks and some less well-known Italian delicacies. The staff were very busy but extremely helpful, attentive and polite.

It was hard to decide from their extensive and impressive menu but I opted for Bruschetta Fungi to start with and Pan Fried Seabass with Lemon Butter accompanied with seasonal vegetables to follow. It was cooked to perfection. My husband chose the Cheese and Tomato Garlic Bread, which was baked in an authentic stone oven. The seasoning was very tasty and the texture made it clear that the base was cooked well and finding it hard to decide, he opted for the Bistecca alla Griglia, served with mushrooms and tomato on the side. The steak was full of flavour and melted in his mouth, very enjoyable. They even had my favourite Sicilian wine, Nero d’Avola, a beautiful dry, red wine full of a plum and peppery flavour. We were so full but could not resist sharing a Pistachio Cheesecake between us - so light and creamy, with a beautiful buttery base.

I would absolutely recommend a visit to Don Alberto’s but advise you book, as word gets around, you would not want to be disappointed at this little gem in Greater Manchester.

You can find Don Alberto’s at: M The Loom Retail Park, Leigh WN7 4BA N 01942 673858 E donalbertos.theloom@gmail.com