The brilliant Beccafico in Tuckton
Beccafico in Tuckton has been on my radar to try for some time, and not just because it features my name. It is actually the Sicilian name for a greedy, fig-loving bird (oh, it IS me!) The timing was unfortunate because they only opened three months before lockdown. Thankfully, they are among the businesses that survived the pandemic, serving takeaway hot drinks and food.
Tuckton High Street might not be the Mediterranean, but I promise that within 0.01 seconds of setting foot inside Beccafico, you will feel like you’re on holiday. Buzzing atmosphere, lovely staff and simple but funky decor make it hugely welcoming.
They change their menu of hot and cold small plates each month, but the favourites such as arancini, croquettes and meatballs are a staple. They also serve pizza, with two for £15 on Pizza Tuesdays. We chose the following six dishes between two of us, but struggled to make the final cut as all 23 dishes sounded utterly delectable:
Sea bream, fennel and orange salad
Potato and green bean salad with pistachio pesto (v)
Pork cheeks in sherry sauce with garlic mash
Mozzarella stuffed meatballs
Harissa and fennel lamb sausage roll
Wild mushroom arancini (v)
This, my friends, was fantastic, honest, home-cooked food at its finest. There was no weak dish. Each one tasted like it had been made with A LOT of love. And we loved eating it all, particularly washed down with a glass of excellent house red. We struggled to choose our favourite, but eventually settled on the succulent pork cheeks, which fell apart at the touch of a fork. The sweet sherry sauce and creamy garlic mash finished it off perfectly.
When I return - and I WILL return - I might be greedy and add a side of peri fries or cheesy garlic ciabatta, but it’s absolutely not necessary.
We each had a cannoli for dessert - you know the little Italian tube-shaped pastries filled with sweet, creamy stuff? My friend had chocolate hazelnut and I had pistachio. They were dreeeaaaamy, and the perfect little treat to end a glorious meal.
A coffee and another glass of wine later, we were pleasantly surprised when we came to settle our bill. All dishes are priced between £3 and £3.95, so it’s very affordable.
Beccafico, you have our hearts.
