Out For Dinner At Britalia Italian Restaurant In Mansfield
Published On Thursday 17 Apr 2025 by Sticky Beak
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I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason, even if it’s something you think is crappy at the time. His Nibs and I were really looking forward to an evening out in Sheffield, but the event had to be cancelled and we found ourselves suddenly without weekend dinner plans; not bueno, I’m sure you’ll all agree? Thankfully, The Man has always been my hero and quickly got a reservation sorted so that we were at least going out.
We’ve recently been venturing into Mansfield for some meals and we’d spotted Britalia on our way to Rima-Faz and thought that we ought to visit; clearly, the universe had been eaves-dropping and so that is where we found ourselves on this particular night. We parked up in Toothill Lane car park and then just pottered back over to the restaurant. Britalia looks nice and inviting from the outside, and when you step over the threshold it feels like you’ve gone into someone’s home rather than a business.
The ground level was really busy - there was only one table unoccupied – but the lovely young lady said to follow her downstairs, and we discovered the other dining space, which was equally busy. Having got us settled in, our drinks order was taken and we were left to study the menu and take in the décor in more detail. Straightaway you felt cosier and more cocooned in the basement [the lack of windows instantly creates a more intimate feel], a feeling that was enhanced by the subdued lighting and warm-toned carpet and paint. I personally loved the plaster frescoes of amphora carrying ladies on the wall, very ancient Rome.
There must’ve been something in the Mansfield air that had driven folks to dine at Britalia because the serving team was beyond full-capacity! Our server apologized for the delay in taking our food order and said that they weren’t forgetting about us, it was simply that they were snided out! We told her not to worry and placed our order: Homemade Italian Meatballs (£7.95) and Filetto Pepe Rosa (£27.95) for His Nibs, and Insalata Caprese (£6.95) followed by Pollo Funghi al Crema (£17.95) for me, and a Garlic Bread Tomato (£6.95) to share. The poor young lass was clearly having a bit of a ‘mare, and looked very sheepish as she came over a few minutes later to say that Britalia had sold out of Chicken so I would need to order a different main; not a problem, there was plenty of other choices and I opted for the Ravioli Lobster (£15.95)
Whilst we were waiting for our starters, The Man and I occupied ourselves with conversation and appreciating the large glass of Malbec (£7.75) and pint of Poretti (£5.95) that we’d received. We’d also asked for some table water and that was brought over, with some glasses, at the same time. It’s always a bit of an in-joke between us that we must look like the most anti-social/unhappily married couple in the world to outside observers, as we’re frequently on our phones and not paying much attention to each other! Trust me, we do pay a lot of attention to one another and are often yapping whilst we’re doing ‘the socials’.
When it arrived, my starter plate looked as pretty as a picture, laden with torn pieces of creamy Buffalo Mozzarella and juicy, sliced Tomatoes that surrounded a centre of Basil oil drizzled, shredded Lettuce. Clean, bright flavours oozed in my mouth, proof [again] that sometimes the simplest things can be magical. A couple of twists from the Black Pepper grinder by our server was all the adornment this dish needed, and then I eagerly tucked in. This was a beautifully light starter that is, rightly, in the hearts of Italians and a firm favourite on their menus.
His Nibs does love him some Meatballs, at home as well as when dining out, so he was keen to see what the ones at Britalia were like. If you’re not accustomed to making meatballs yourself, you’d perhaps be a bit under-whelmed by the look of the dish that came out. Let me reassure you, then, that there might only have been a trio of Beef Meatballs but they were 1-2oz each, i.e. the equivalent of a quarter-pounder in total, which is not a bad portion for a starter! Taste-wise these treats were excellent: rich and seasoned perfectly, these hit the appetite bulls eye, especially with the grated Parmesan and pungent Black Pepper that also got popped onto the dish at His Nibs’ request. The Napoletana sauce wasn’t too shabby, either, and the intense tomato base had been zhuzhed up with a hefty wallop of Garlic and herbs: delicious.
Yes, we’d had to wait a bit longer than is ideal for our starters but, with our initial hunger satiated, we weren’t overly bothered at the prospect of there being an interlude before our mains arrived. As it happens, we’d finished our second course in an hour and 30 minutes so not too far from the average. Our server had done check-backs whilst we’d been eating our starters and was happy to be going up the stairs with a pair of clean plates – I dread to think the number of steps that the team does during a shift, going up and down the stairs between the two levels and kitchen!
As with our starters, the mains were nicely presented and we were offered Parmesan and Black Pepper again. The team may have been rushed off their feet, but they never forgot all the little touches and everything was done with a smile on their faces. It’s no secret that Italians know how to cook a steak but they do tend to do it a level ‘under’ what us Brits go for; my top tip, then, would be to order medium if you want medium/rare, which is what The Man Bird did…and whaddya know, he got a perfect medium/rare slab of Fillet.
Chef had cooked the Fillet steak in a Peppercorn sauce, flamed with Brandy and Cream (always a classic partnership) and the balance of flavours was fantastic. Skinny fries were that irresistible shade of gold and were brilliantly crispy on the outside, eliciting a smile-inducing crunch when bitten into. Inside, they were soft with a gently nutty taste to them that was untouched by any trace of oiliness or grease residue on their outer. A mixed Salad provided a contrast of temperature and a generous splash of colour to the dish, and every element was fresh and flavoursome. Needless to say, the plate was squeaky clean when The Man came up for air at the last mouthful!
My Ravioli parcels were a good size and each round was generously filled with a Lobster mix that had been seasoned to enhance its delicate taste. Complimenting the perfectly al-dente, filled pasta was a gorgeously intense, coral-toned Lobster sauce that had my palate dancing in happiness. Granted, it may have been a bit of a ‘plain Jane’ dish to look at (comprised of just the sauce and Ravioli) but this was a prime example of there being more to a dish than [literally!] met the eye. I would have this again in a heartbeat, quite happily.
Another thing that we would both have, going off the look of the ones on the table adjacent to us, is the Pizzas and Calzone at Britalia; they looked wonderful! As it was, we had to content ourselves with the Garlic Bread Tomato that we’d ordered as a side dish; not that we minded, as we savoured that delicious first mouthful. The dough base was tasty in its own right, and beautifully thin and crisp in the authentic Italian style; we both commented on the smoky note that came from the charred air bubbles on the base: proof that it was hand-stretched, not rolled in a mass-production way. Sweet Passata and Oregano tantalized our taste buds; again, proof that good, flavoursome food doesn’t have to be complicated. Much as we’d planned (and wanted) to, neither of us could manage dessert - and, given how much I love Tiramisu, you all know how stuffed I must’ve been! - but vowed that next time we visit, we will indulge.
In acknowledgement that they had perhaps bitten off more than they could chew, customer-wise (no pun intended) and as a thank you to their diners, team Britalia offered us a glass of Limoncello when they came to bring our bill over. I love Limoncello, so didn’t mind if I did, thank you; His Nibs also took his shot-glass with gratitude. What we both liked was the fact that the serving team had kept us informed of wait times and always acknowledged fellow diners, even if they couldn’t immediately meet their needs. The motto is: don’t hide when you’re experiencing unprecedented demand, and keep up that informed relationship with your customers.
All in all, we had a great time at Britalia and would certainly go back, so Hot Wings given. I do hope, though, that they stagger their table times going forward as this kind of situation could deter diners if it became a regular occurrence. To book a table ring 01623 654449 or visit the website www.britaliamansfield.co.uk and hit the ‘book now’ button. Britalia Italian is closed on Sunday and Monday but opens Tues-Sat 5.30-11pm.
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