At first glance, San Rufo’s is an attractive-looking restaurant, which makes it such a pity that the first glance can be quite a tough one to achieve. Its location is pretty straightforward along Skegness ’ Roman Bank, but as I drove by I must admit I missed it; the building tucked away behind a parked Transit van and an extremely long queue for the next door chip shop. I suppose it didn’t help that this was a Friday evening, and during the school holidays - a combination that will always ensure bodies everywhere on the east coast.
But once parked up, and the throngs successfully navigated, it quickly became apparent that this was a good find. Wooden planters sporting some rich greenery and a continental-looking awning added some Italian authenticity before you even step inside, where you are greeted by a by a restaurant that offers you gorgeous simplicity. This dining area (which tricked me into believing it was L-shaped until a family were seated in front of a strategic mirror) is very uniform, but the nicely presented tables, eyecatching wood-finished bar and framed Italian street scenes which hang from the rustic-beige walls offer just the right levels of action to make you feel there’s a certain class to the place.
There’s also a nice, petite, al fresco courtyard, but it wasn’t warm enough for that on this occasion. It wasn’t long until the drinks were delivered and the usual chaos ensued. I was dining with my wife, who enjoys beer by the pints, while my drink of choice with a meal is red wine.
Without fail, and quicker than you can scream ‘crush the patriarchy’, the grain is always placed in front of me, while my wife is served the grapes. Sometimes the staff catch a glimpse of us doing the ole switcheroo and apologise, but our waiter this evening - a charming man with a deep radio-friendly voice - opted to begin calling me madam. Demasculated enough I didn’t feel this was the time to point out my wife built our most recent shed from scratch while I’m far better than she’ll ever be at stacking the dishwasher (we all have a calling).
Instead I ordered myself the most butch and manly main I could find; the veal marsala, tenderised escallops flambeed with liquer in a cream sauce with mushrooms and a side serving of vegetables. It screams Bruce Willis in Die Hard, doesn’t it? Laura went with the penne Pugliese from the special board; diced salmon fillet cooked with garlic and broccoli in a cream and tomato sauce, with a hint of chilli. As we waited for our meals and once again laughed at our enforced gender swapping we did manage to spot a couple nearby with even less in common than us, the woman flicking away through a social media app on her phone and the gent unmoved as he sat staring straight in front at his erect menu.
It wasn’t until they got up for a cigarette break that I was able to spot the guy wasn’t actually staring at the menu but had rested his phone against it to watch the footie. Every relationship has it’s unique dynamics - and boundaries - it seems. There wasn’t much wait for the food which, to be blunt, was fantastic.
The veal was as good a veal as I’ve ever had while the penne - which I finished off (it’s not my place to suggest beer may perhaps be a little more filling than wine) - was delicious, albeit with the kind of powerful kick that suggests someone was being particularly liberal with the word ‘hint’. Desert was a wonderfully rich tiramisu - complete with an exceedingly retro brandy snap and lady finger - while Laura ordered a beautifully decorated cheesecake. A fantastic meal, so I good I was content enough not to bother firing back when the waiter gave me a raised-eyebrow look and asked: “Is madam paying the bill?” As a popular seaside resort, Skeggy may have its fast-food, candy floss and vodka slushy reputation, but it was clear there’s a strong demand for Italian food here, San Rufo’s being one of several establishments and doing a roaring trade dining, takeaway collections and people dropping in and wondering whether there’s a ‘spare table for nine’.
Just imagine how busy it would be if there wasn’t a chippy queue blocking the view. Out of five: Food: The meals wre exceptional, packed with flavour and plentiful portions. **** Drink: Two pints of Moretti and the house red (I’m not that pretentious).
*** Decor: As mentioned, there’s a simplistic beauty to San Rufo’s. It doesn’t need to offer you more as the food speaks for itself. **** Staff: Friendly, cheeky and rudely witty.
Enjoyed the service a lot. **** Price: The meal came to a total of £63.40, the veal marsala £17.
90 and penne £15.50. Desserts both cost £6.
90 while two Morettis came to £11 and the wine was £5.20. **** Have you had a great meal? Share your own Eat My Words reviews or tell us where to try by emailing: news@lincsonline.
co.uk.
