Eatalia is a traditional Italian restaurant on Bedford High Street offering friendly service, rustic interiors and a menu of simple, classic dishes. The dining room has been styled to evoke the feel of traditional Italian trattoria, boasting terracotta tiled floors, white tablecloths, exposed brick walls, wooden furniture and plenty of wine bottles on show.
In keeping with its commitment to tradition and authenticity, the menu doesn’t veer far from the classics. Antipasti appears in the form of caponata, bruschetta, calamari fritti, salad caprese and arancini. The menu revolves heavily around a generous selection of pasta and risotto dishes. From the former, look out for orecchiette with n’duja, onions and cherry tomatoes, a classic Amatriciana with garlic, onions, bacon, white wine and a rich tomato sauce, as well as Scoglio featuring seafood, garlic, wine and linguine. If you’re after a comforting bowl of warming risotto, there are two options to choose from: seafood or mushroom.
For secondi, there are only five options available and all are based around meat or fish. You might opt for a sirloin steak with brandy peppercorn sauce and potatoes, or perhaps large king prawns served with garlic, white wine, parsley and butter.
There is an excellent-value lunch menu for those looking to dine in a hurry, which features a selection of pasta dishes and paninis. While large parties can opt to dine from its party menu, which includes a choice of three courses per person.
The drinks menu is geared towards a mostly Italian wine list, which you can order by the glass, carafe or bottle. A small selection of beers, sparkling and Champagne is also available, but red and white wine comprises the bulk of its offering.