Priding itself on its blend of Italian dishes made with fresh Scottish produce, Sarti is somewhat of a Glasgow institution. Wellington Street first opened as a cafe and delicatessen in 1992, with this Sarti Bath Street opening shortly after. The Bath Street restaurant has an extensive menu filled with all the Italian favourites, and it provides many options for children or our vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free friends.
The inside of the Bath Street location is a cheerful place, with sherbert-coloured walls and tons of pictures that draw the eye. Shelves are stocked with Italian goodies to buy, and the dining room looks like your classic Italian pizza joint - with plastic chairs and checkered tableclothes galore. The place gets romantic at night via dimmed lighting and candlelight, which makes it feel all the more cosy and familiar. And of course, keep an eye out on the open kitchen in the back of the restaurant for a fun insight into the action.
Sarti's menu is extensive, and even has three sections of antipasti, mains, and seconds - seafood, meat, and vegetarian. Look out for the classic Pollo Milanese, which is a chicken fillet breadcrumbed, pan fried and served with spaghetti pomodoro. Not your thing? Don't worry, because there is still a huge selection of pasta and pizzas for those who prefer something comfortingly carby. Check out the tortelli al cinghialle, the large filled ravioli with a wild boar and vegetable filling in a rich red wine ragu from the mountains of Tuscany, or the pizza capricciosa with black olives, capers, anchovy fillets and an egg in the middle. Also keep in mind that all pastas can be subbed for gluten-free pasta for £2, and the menu and staff offer lots of options to make dishes vegan or vegetarian.
Diners can of course wash their meal down with Sarti's selection of alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, and can satisfy their sweet tooth with the dessert list. You might be stuffed, but how could you skip a cannoli?