Tucked away on a parade of shops in Boothstown, Worsley’s Ristorante Vesuvio is a hidden gem in a corner of the city that has become well known for them. Run by Nico Vanacore and Giuseppe Lombardo, both born in Naples, this Italian eatery opened in 2013 and has built an enviable reputation among locals, many of who are drawn here for one type of thing in particular — the wonderful seafood, with the core focus being on fresh fish that you don’t necessary see everywhere else in and around town, ideally suited to those who don’t want to know what’s on offer in advance.
Operating as a tag team, at any time one of the owners is heading up things in the kitchen, the other leading front of house, but either way the results are spectacular. The Mixed Vesuvio, for example, is a one-pot stew made with fruits of the ocean, or at least halibut, mussels, clams, and octopus, topped with pizza base. Essentially a continental seafood pie, opening the lid makes for suitably dramatic scenes, with that lid ideal for dipping. Elsewhere, Rolled Swordfish Fillets stuffed with crisped Italian broccoli, scamorza, anchovies and tomatoes, are another big hit, and further emphasise the point about being committed to expanding palettes and plating up surprises.
Specials aside, this is a top spot for pasta lovers, with the sharing dish of three different homemade Vesuvio pastas always a winner — the chefs choose based on what’s happening that day. And the Tagliolini del Marinaio, tossed with king prawns, is another fine option based on a traditional recipe popularised among Napoli’s fishermen. This is also one of few places in Manchester serving Gragnano pasta, which has protected designation of origin certification and takes its name from a small hilltop town close to the Amalfi Coast. As you’d expect, a wide selection of meat dishes are also on offer, including veal, alongside Neapolitan-style pizzas and homemade desserts. The wine list won’t disappoint either. The menu changes seasonally, so best to check the restaurant’s website for the most up-to-date iteration.