San Carlo Flying Pizza, Leeds – Restaurant Review
By Steve Crabtree, July 2024
On a warm, sunny Tuesday evening, the call of San Carlo Flying Pizza in Roundhay was too strong to ignore. My friend Michael and I had admired this Italian restaurant from afar for a long time, but never visited before. But, tonight, the time had finally come to experience it for ourselves.
With high expectations set by its reputation, I couldn’t wait to see if it would live up to the hype.
Having passed San Carlo Flying Pizza numerous times over the years, I was already familiar with its lovely façade. The entrance very welcoming, and the covered outdoor area immediately catches the eye. And with the warm weather we were enjoying, it made it the perfect choice for al fresco dining. As we wandered in, the restaurant was as charming as I had hoped it’d be, with a well-kept appearance and the good word about its food and atmosphere preceding it.
“Comfortable elegance”
Inside, there’s a sophisticated but comfortable elegance about the restaurant. The decor is tastefully grand, avoiding any stuffiness, and the staff are dressed sharply in their uniforms. They guided us through the restaurant to our table in the outdoor area, in a space was ideal for the warm evening.
The feeling was quite relaxed It wasn’t packed, but we had a delightful mix of couples and families, all enjoying their meals and the time they were having together. My friend and I were catching up about life, plans for summer, music – and San Carlo is the perfect place to do that. It’s just a lovely vibe.
It’s also worth mentioning a visit to the bathroom, that revealed just how much attention to detail San Carlo Flying Pizza pays to its patrons. The facilities were immaculate, and your journey to get there is decorated with photos of celebrities and sports figures when they’ve visited this place. That underscores the kind of people who like to come here.
“Crisp, refreshing and perfect”
Our waiter for the evening, Vito, introduced himself and gave us an evening of friendly and attentive service. When it came to choosing a drink, I asked for his recommendation as we were in a glass of beer mood. I asked what he’d choose if he was having a drink with us, and he suggested a bottle of Menabrea. This is a man who knows his mood drinks – it proved to be an excellent choice. Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for the warm evening. Michael and I both enjoyed it.
For starters, I opted for the Funghi Piemontese (£9.50). The dish features a filo pastry basket that stands proudly from the bowl, filled with a mix of mushrooms and parsley butter. It was a delightful and unexpected presentation, and the mushrooms were delicious, with flavour in every bite. Michael chose the Mozzarella in Carrozza (£10.50), which came encased in breadcrumbs and served with a basil and tomato sauce. His starter was equally impressive, with the cheese crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
It was a nice way to start our meal. As the plates were collected, the roof of the outdoor area was retracted to let in the evening air. Now, this upped the pleasant summer’s evening feeling even more. It felt like summer!
“Packed with taste”
With more people arriving, there was a nice hint of bussle at San Carlo Flying Pizza by the time our mains arrived. And these dishes were as impressive as the starters. It was my friend’s Risotto all’Aragosta (£34.95) that was the showstopper though. The dish featured a whole lobster perched on a bed of tasty risotto, drawing jealous glances from nearby tables. The lobster was perfectly cooked, and the risotto full of flavour. Michael was thrilled with his choice and rightly so – by all accounts, it was as delicious as it was visually stunning, not that he asked me if I wanted to try a bit. Bad friend!
I opted for the Scaloppa Signor Sassi (£24.95), a dish of veal cooked in a creamy sauce with brandy, mustard seeds, and mushrooms. The veal was tender and succulent, and the sauce had just the right amount of flavour to not take over the entire dish. While my dish lacked the dramatic presentation of Michael’s lobster, it was no less enjoyable. The veal was easy to cut, very succulent and the plate was packed with taste.
We also shared sides of fries and a salad. The fries were crisp and well-seasoned, and the salad was fresh too. They provided a nice counterpoint to the richer dishes, adding a touch of lightness to the meal.
We didn’t leave anything on either plate. The satisfied nods we gave each other as we put our cutlery down is all we needed to do to make it clear how much we were enjoying our food.
“Look at that!”
When Vito returned with the dessert menu, he mentioned that there was an addition of Ferrero Rocher cheesecake. Say no more, Vito! Say no more! This was going to be my choice, and I didn’t even look at the other options. I wasn’t disappointed either. Presented with a biscuit and a scoop of ice cream, it was a delightful dish, and the ladies seated next to us exclaimed, “Ooh, look at that!” as it was placed in front of me – a reaction that also mirrored my own thoughts.
The cheesecake was sweet, cool, and fresh, with a subtle helping of Ferrero Rocher pieces that added a slight crunch. It was a bit too substantial after two courses though – and despite my best efforts, I couldn’t quite finish it. Nonetheless, it was an indulgent treat that I could have enjoyed even more if I had the capacity.
Michael’s choice of Tiramisu was also enjoyable, although it didn’t quite match the spectacle of my cheesecake. He described it as a twisted up version of the classic dessert we all know. Well-executed but overshadowed by the dazzling Ferrero Rocher cheesecake.
“Smiles and happy faces”
We’d finished our food and sat back for a while to chat, let our food settle and enjoy the atmosphere that had built over the couple of hours we’d been there. The number of smiles and happy faces was testament to the restaurant – it just has everything you want for a summer’s evening.
After years of walking and driving by the place, I’m delighted to say that San Carlo Flying Pizza in Roundhay exceeded my expectations. I’ve enjoyed San Carlo in Manchester before a few times, so I was eager to see how this location would compare. It certainly lived up to the reputation. The combination of attentive service, exceptional food, and a lovely atmosphere made for a memorable evening.
I’m already looking forward to returning and making San Carlo Flying Pizza a regular dining spot.
San Carlo Flying Pizza, 60 Street Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2DQ
Mon – Thu 12–10 pm
Fri – Sun 12–10.30 pm
