Joe Rigatonis Darlington

On Saturday I needed to head into Darlington to do a few bits and bobs in the bank and I wanted to have a look at some new beds. Mummy and Daddy Lines also had a few errands to run too so our Saturday plans were sorted. Mummy and Daddy Lines had gone to the pool on Friday night and whilst having a little steam in the steam room they decided that seen as we were in Darlington we should go out for dinner as we haven’t been out for a while and we all agreed that we should try Joe Rigatonis as we haven’t been in so long and it’s a restaurant we all liked.

We headed into town late so that we could be at the restaurant later and we pottered around the town centre and then went off to do the weekly shop. Once we had done all we needed to do we made our way to the restaurant. Now we hadn’t been for so long that what used to be the main entrance to the restaurant was now a completely different restaurant which we only discovered when we sat down and were handed menus! Finding out that Joe Rigatonis was now just in the basement of the same building we made our way down. We were greeted buy a really friendly member of staff and seated promptly as it was still early evening and wasn’t busy. We were given some time to peruse the menu and they had an excellent offer of 2 courses for £9.95 including some of the chicken and steak dishes not limited to pizza and pasta like you find with some other Italian restaurants with similar offers which was great.

While we were deciding on what to order the waitress took our drinks order. Mummy and Daddy Lines went for soft drinks and I ordered one too along with a Cosmopolitan from the cocktail menu which was reasonably priced at £5.95. They had a nice little selection of cocktails to choose from not a vast list but all the popular ones so ill definitely be trying some of the other options next time.

For starters I went for the Bruschetta, Mummy Lines went for BBQ Chicken Wings and Daddy Lines had the Calamari. My Bruschetta was delicious and full of flavour. The portion was just the right size without skimping on topping either. Mummy Lines did enjoy her chicken wings but having been spoiled by the epic wings we eat while in America I think she was slightly disappointed but tasty none the less, and Daddy Lines seemed to like the Calamari. As I said the portion sizes were perfect and not to filling just enough to take the edge of any hunger off.

For my main meal I went for the Smoky Joes Pizza which was a BBQ base topped with Spicy Meatballs and pepperoni and I asked if they could add some onion which was no bother at all, I also asked for some garlic mayo to dip my pizza into and again my request was no problem. Mummy Lines went for Chicken A La Crème which is chicken sautéed with mushrooms and garlic smothered in a creamy white wine and leek sauce and came with homemade chips. Daddy Lines went for the Classic Carbonara it looks delicious too so I might try that out next time I go. We all thoroughly enjoyed the food and were suitably stuffed after we had finished. Unfortunately we had no room for desert but from looking at the menu they had some really tasty sounding options.

I had a really enjoyable meal at Joe Rigatonis the staff were really friendly and very helpful even suggesting items from the menu they would recommend which I like as its shows they really do eat there and like the food that is served. Ill definitely be coming back soon and I wont leave it so long between visits this time.

Joe Rigatonis has branches in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Ripon, Stockton, Harrogate and Yarm so they have plenty around if you fancy visiting one soon!