Found on West Cliff Road in Bournemouth, Cristallo puts on a full Italian dining experience, complete with contemporary dishes that promise ingredients in their prime. Traditional recipes play a key role, as does handmade pasta, calzones, fish, salads, and all things fresh. Portions are generous, and the atmosphere works for all manner of casual dining, from group get togethers to outings with all the family in tow.
The Cristallo menu features a variety of Italian classics, from authentic traditional recipes to more modern dishes. For instance, starters kick things off with the likes of garlic bread, Caesar salad, crab and prawn cocktail, pan fried tiger prawns, and garlic mushrooms. Continuing with 12-inch pizzas with lots of classics, like Margarita and pepperoni alongside options like meat beast, Hawaiian, and Cajun chicken. It also includes calzones such as chicken and mushroom, vegetable, and four cheese.
Other main dishes include a selection of fish plates such as sea bass, tuna steak, and salmon fillet, alongside a range of pasta and risotto dishes. For those, the Cristallo menu includes a whole host of classics, from spaghetti carbonara and penne arabiatta to lasagne and mushroom risotto. Other options include seafood risotto, a steak variation, fettuccine cacciatore, spaghetti marinara, Bolognese, and a house penne Cristallo.
Looking for a more traditional Italian main course? Simply peek down at the chicken and meat dishes, and you’ll spot veal and chicken Milanese, pollo gorgonzola, veal alla crema, and grilled sirloin alongside fillet Diana. On the side, you’ll find onion rings, mashed potatoes, mixed salads, classic chips, bread and butter, marinated olives, and bread and butter.
Interiors at Cristallo feel dated in that classic Italian way. The walls are punctuated with red accents, the chairs are white leather, and there’s greenery and framed artwork throughout.