Food review: Lovitaly, Market Place, Ringwood

BRINGING one of the world’s most revered food cultures to the New Forest is no mean feat, but Lovitaly in Ringwood has slowly built a reputation for authenticity with a focus on bold but simple ingredients and flavours.

Home to some of the most renowned dishes, Italy has captured the hearts of food lovers all over the world. It was with this in mind that restaurant owner Cristina Cavalleri set about creating a space in which she could pay homage to the traditional, timeless cuisine and warm hospitality of her country.

I ate at the award-winning Lovitaly one Saturday lunchtime, and its relaxed and friendly atmosphere was instantly apparent.

The restaurant doubles up as a deli; an emporium of Italian delights from sweet treats, liqueurs and wine, to meats, cheeses, antipasti and pasta.

Inside is cosy, intimate and welcoming, and the menu is extensive, filled with all the classics you’d expect to see alongside sharing dishes and signature foods by region.

We opted for baked sardines in a crushed cherry tomato sauce and bruschetta to start – both were delicious.

Nestled in a fresh and beautifully bright sauce, the sardines, shiny silver side up, were tender and meaty with a melting texture and full of bold, distinctive flavour. They were a taste of the Mediterranean and the perfect light, nutritious meal to start.

The bruschetta was the perfect rustic appetiser, fresh and simple with a gorgeous aroma. The bread, golden and crisp, was wonderfully soft and chewy on the inside. It was infused with just the right amount of garlic and topped with naturally sweet, vibrant tomatoes coated in olive oil, all balanced out with basil and a tangy balsamic glaze.

Entrusting Cristina with selecting a wine to go with our food, we were presented with a Malvasia Bianca, which was light and fresh with tropical fruit and aromatic flavours.

I typically opt for more full-bodied wines, but this was very pleasant and worked well with the robust flavours of our food.

For my main I opted for a dish from the specials menu – lobster ravioli in a cherry tomato and bisque sauce, served with a rocket and parmesan salad.

A comforting and decadent meal, the soft and silky pasta pillows were packed with rich and delicately sweet lobster, and drenched in a thick and creamy sauce bursting with great savoury flavour.

My friend had chosen tortellini filled with beef and pork in Parmigiano Reggiano cream, cooked ham and parmesan chips. This hearty dish is a cheese lover’s dream, and what it may have lacked in beauty it more than made up for in flavour.

The pasta was coated in an oozy blanket of rich, luxurious cream sauce, then topped with golden, crispy parmesan, bringing texture to the dish and packing a big punch of flavour.

I contemplated skipping dessert, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try the classic Italian pandoro cake, served with chocolate cream, strawberries and a shot of Baileys.

Dowsed in a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, the cake had exceptional lightness and a delicate, buttery taste which was elevated by the silky chocolate cream and liqueuer.

My friend ordered the tiramisu, which came looking elegant in its own cup and done the traditional way with dreamy layers of cream, coffee-soaked sponge and a dusting of cocoa.

By all accounts it was the perfect end to a thoroughly satisfying lunch.

I was really impressed by the beauty and vibrancy of each dish we were served at Lovitaly – each was fresh, bold and flavourful and a real joy to eat.

The restaurant, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, has won a clutch of awards, including Italian Restaurant of the Year in the South England Prestige Awards and Restaurant of the Year in the Ringwood Business Awards ’24.

Each month the eatery hosts regional event nights pairing food and wine, and highlighting the incredible diversity of Italian cuisine.

For more information about Lovitaly or to book a table, visit www.lovitaly.co.uk

• To be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher to spend on deli produce or meals at Lovitaly, see our competition on page six.