ASK Italian Colchester

Bread & Nibbles

• Spicy Nibbles2,95 £

  A crunchy mix of chickpeas, peas, corn and broad beans

• Italian Olives3,25 £

  Large green Nocellara olives from Sicily

• Garlic Bread4,95 £

  • With Mozzarella5,95 £

• Garlic Bread Speciale with Balsamic Onions6,25 £

  A folded garlic bread stuffed with mozzarella and riserva cheese

• Rosemary & Olive Oil Bread5,50 £

Antipasti

Perfect for two

• Antipasto Fritto12,95 £

  Mushrooms al forno, calamari, chicken lecca-lecca, dough sticks and zucchini fritti, served with a spicy tomato dip and garlic mayonnaise

• Antipasto Classico12,95 £

  Milano salami and coppa ham, fresh mozzarella, riserva cheese, rocket salad and rosemary & olive oil bread with smoked chilli jelly and olive tapenade

Starters

• Burrata Caprese6,25 £

  Creamier and more indulgent than mozzarella, burrata is served with plum tomatoes, rocket and basil

• Pea & Ricotta Soufflé6,50 £

  Twice baked soufflé on a bed of spinach in a rich cheese sauce, served with warm dough sticks

• Cheese Fonduta6,25 £

  Rich cheese fondue, crowned with a garlic and herb crumb, served with warm dough sticks. Dip dip hooray!

• Spinach & Ricotta Arancini5,95 £

  Crispy ricotta and spinach risotto balls served with a spicy tomato dip

• Baked Dough Balls5,50 £

  Choose between plain or fontal cheese and chilli, or try a mix. Served with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar

• Minestrone Soup5,50 £

  Hearty soup with vegetables, chickpeas, cannellini beans and orzo pasta. Topped with a cheesy dumpling

• Whitebait

  Lightly breaded and fried until golden, served with garlic mayonnaise. MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) approved

  • Small6,95 £
  • Large12,25 £

• Chicken Lecca-Lecca6,75 £

  Breaded chicken fillets served with a spicy tomato dip and garlic mayonnaise

• Calamari

  Crispy golden-fried squid served with garlic mayonnaise

  • Small6,95 £
  • Large12,25 £

• Bruschetta5,50 £

  Toasted pagnotta bread with marinated tomatoes, fresh basil and ricotta salata

• Meatballs Piccante6,50 £

  Pork and beef meatballs baked on Italian bread in a spicy tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and mascarpone

• Butterfly King Prawns6,95 £

  Succulent king prawns, oven roasted on Italian bread with garlic and parsley

• Light Butterfly King Prawns6,95 £

  Under 200 calories (Kcal); Oven roasted butterfly king prawns seasoned with lemon juice and plum tomatoes, topped with rocket and yellow courgette ribbons

• Mushrooms al Forno6,25 £

  Most Loved. Mushrooms stuffed with mozzarella and riserva cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic and onions, baked on Italian bread, served with garlic mayonnaise

Pasta

All of our Classic pasta dishes (except Risotto) can be made with our non-gluten containing fusilli; Extra Toppings For your pasta, choose from: Seasoned chicken, Pepperoni, Pancetta, Marinated king prawns £1.95; Roasted peppers (vegetarian), Olives (vegetarian), Sautéed mushrooms (vegetarian) £1.25

Pasta Fresca

Fresh egg frilly tagliatelle

• King Prawn & Crayfish14,95 £

  Succulent king prawns and crayfish in a creamy tomato and lobster bisque with a hint of chilli, topped with a large king prawn in its shell

• Asparagus & Pancetta Carbonara13,50 £

  Crispy pancetta and asparagus in a velvety sauce made with mascarpone, pecorino and riserva cheese

• Purple Basil Pesto Genovese12,75 £

  Green pesto and cream sauce, with fine green beans and pine nuts. Topped with purple basil pesto – winner of a Great Taste 2018 award

• Sausage & Truffle Infused Olive Oil13,95 £

  Italian Luganica sausage in a creamy tomato and truffled mushroom sauce topped with mascarpone, smoked prosciutto and truffle infused olive oil

Filled Pasta

Different shapes and classic fillings

• Four Cheese Ravioli & Beef Ragu14,25 £

  A long ravioli filled with pockets of four cheese, oven baked on top of a rich beef ragu

• Crab & Ricotta Half Moon Pasta14,50 £

  Served in a creamy tomato and lobster bisque. Topped with a large king prawn in its shell and fresh samphire

• Spinach & Ricotta Girasole12,25 £

  Meaning 'sunflower', these pretty pasta parcels are served with spinach and a mascarpone cream sauce

• Beef & Chianti Ravioli13,95 £

  Beef and Chianti ragu, dressed up for the occasion in this special charcoal black and white ravioli; served with a red wine sauce

Al Forno

Oven baked dishes with a side salad

• Lasagne11,25 £

  Green egg pasta sheets with beef and pork ragu, topped with creamy béchamel sauce

• Penne al Manzo Piccante11,95 £

  Penne pasta with beef meatballs, beef and pork ragu, fresh chillies, roasted peppers and balsamic red onions, topped with mozzarella

• Sausage Cannelloni11,95 £

  Cannelloni filled with a hearty beef and pork sausage ragu, baked in a tomato and basil sauce and topped with mascarpone

• Penne al Pollo della Casa11,95 £

  Seasoned chicken breast, mushrooms and pasta baked in a creamy mushroom and white wine sauce

Classic Pasta

Quintessential Italian dishes

• Fettuccine Bolognese10,75 £

  Our hearty beef and pork ragu is served with flat ribbon fettuccine, the way they eat it in Rome. If you prefer you can choose spaghetti

• Penne Arrabiata con Pollo10,95 £

  Chicken breast in a fiery rich tomato and basil sauce

  • Make it Veggie Without Chicken9,00 £

• Spaghetti al Pomodoro8,65 £

  Plum tomatoes, garlic and basil in a rich tomato sauce topped with fresh mozzarella

• Spaghetti Lentil Ragu9,95 £

  A hearty ragu of green lentils and mixed vegetables in a rich sundried tomato sauce

• Linguine Carbonara10,75 £

  Crispy pancetta in a rich creamy sauce with mascarpone, pecorino and riserva cheese

• Linguine con Frutti di Mare12,95 £

  King prawns, mussels, clams and squid in a rich tomato sauce

• Risotto con Pollo e Funghi13,25 £

  Risotto with tender chicken breast and sautéed mushrooms in a white wine sauce

Pizza

Our pizzas (except Calzone & Prima Light) can be made using our circular non-gluten containing base. Extra Toppings For your pizza, choose from: Seasoned chicken, Pepperoni, Pancetta, Marinated king prawns £1.95; Roasted peppers (vegetarian), Olives (vegetarian), Sautéed mushrooms (vegetarian) £1.25; Love to Dip your Crusts? Add a dip for £1, choose from: N'duja ketchup, Spicy tomato (vegetarian), Olive tapenade (vegetarian)

Prima

Stone baked, longer, crispy base

• Two Egg Fiorentina12,75 £

  Two soft-baked free range eggs, spinach, olives, mozzarella and mascarpone cheese

• Caprina12,50 £

  Goat's cheese, rocket, plum tomatoes, olive tapenade and mozzarella

• Super Green12,50 £

  A pea purée base topped with tender baby kale, asparagus, peas, red pepper pearls, spinach, balsamic red onions and vegan mozzarella alternative

• Slow Cooked Lamb13,75 £

  Tender lamb shoulder, fontal cheese, roasted peppers, spinach, balsamic red onions and pine nuts

• Salami Misti13,75 £

  Milano and fennel salami, pepperoni, smoked prosciutto, roasted peppers and balsamic red onions

• Pollo Piccante con Pancetta13,50 £

  Most Loved. Seasoned chicken breast, pancetta, roasted peppers, red chillies, mushrooms, spinach, rosemary and fontal cheese

• Salsiccia13,25 £

  Fiery Calabrian N'duja sausage meat, red pepper pearls, balsamic red onions and fontal cheese. We'll add chillies if you like it hotter

Calzone

Folded pizza from Naples

• Calzone Pollo12,95 £

  Chicken breast, pancetta, mushrooms, roasted peppers, olives, tomato sauce and mozzarella

• Calzone Carne Piccante12,95 £

  Pepperoni, fresh chillies, ham, beef and pork ragu, sautéed mushrooms, tomato sauce and mozzarella

• Calzone Goat's Cheese & Spinach12,50 £

  Goat's cheese, grilled aubergines, roasted peppers, oven roasted tomatoes, spinach, tomato sauce and mozzarella

Classic Pizza

Round, thin crispy base

• Margherita8,65 £

  Tomato and mozzarella with oregano

  • Make it Prima10,15 £

• Four Cheese Margherita10,50 £

  Sweet dreams are made of cheese - mascarpone, mozzarella, fontal and riserva cheese on a tomato base

  • Make it Prima12,00 £

• Stromboli10,50 £

  Pepperoni on a tomato and mozzarella base. We'll add chillies if you like it hot

  • Make it Prima12,00 £

• Verdure9,95 £

  Artichokes, mushrooms, roasted peppers, fontal cheese and olives dressed with rocket leaves

  • Make it Prima11,45 £

• Pollo e Funghi10,95 £

  Chicken and sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes and mozzarella

  • Make it Prima12,45 £

Meat & Fish

• Pollo Milanese13,95 £

  Breaded butterfly chicken breast, seasoned and roasted. Served with roasted new potatoes or chips, broccoli and a creamy mushroom sauce

• Pork Belly Porchetta14,95 £

  A Tuscan classic: slow-roasted pork belly in a herbed red wine sauce, served with roasted new potatoes and broccoli

• Sea Bass al Forno14,95 £

  Sea bass fillet baked with new potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and a white wine sauce

• Slow Cooked Beef in Chianti Sauce14,95 £

  Beef shin and shallots slow cooked in rich Chianti red wine sauce with a cheesy dumpling. Topped with our rosemary & olive oil bread and served with a side of broccoli

Lighter Dishes

Under 550 calories (Kcal); Our favourite Pasta Frescas and Prima Pizzas served smaller with a rainbow salad

• Pasta Fresca Light Asparagus & Pancetta Carbonara11,95 £

  Fresh egg frilly tagliatelle with crispy pancetta and asparagus in a velvety sauce made with mascarpone, pecorino and riserva cheese, served smaller with a rainbow salad

• Pasta Fresca Light Purple Basil Pesto Genovese11,50 £

  Fresh egg frilly tagliatelle in a green pesto and cream sauce, with fine green beans. Topped with purple basil pesto – winner of a Great Taste 2018 award, served smaller with a rainbow salad

• Prima Light Pizza Caprina10,95 £

  Goat's cheese, rocket, plum tomatoes, olive tapenade and mozzarella, served smaller with a rainbow salad

• Prima Light Pizza Pollo Piccante con Pancetta11,95 £

  Seasoned chicken breast, pancetta, roasted peppers, red chillies, mushrooms, spinach, rosemary and mozzarella, served smaller with a rainbow salad

Salads

Let Us Know if You Prefer your Dressing on the Side

• Chicken Kale Caesar Salad11,50 £

  Pan-fried chicken breast, tender baby kale, cos lettuce and radicchio in a Caesar dressing, topped with ciabatta croutons and riserva cheese

• Insalata di Pollo e Pancetta11,95 £

  Pan-fried chicken breast and crispy pancetta, avocado, tomatoes, spinach, cos lettuce and red onion with a sweet mustard dressing

• Mediterranean Goat's Cheese Salad11,25 £

  Goat's cheese and balsamic onion crostinis, on tender baby kale, cos lettuce, artichokes, plum tomatoes and red pepper pearls, tossed in a citrus dressing

Sides

Love to dip? Add N'duja ketchup, olive tapenade (vegetarian) or spicy tomato dip (vegetarian) to your side for £1

• Chips3,95 £

  Served with garlic mayonnaise

• Garlic & Cheese Chips4,25 £

  Chips with garlic and fontal cheese. Served with garlic mayonnaise

• Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries3,95 £

  Skinny cut fries served with a spicy tomato dip

• Zucchini Fritti3,95 £

  Lightly battered courgette sticks, served with garlic mayonnaise

• Mixed Salad3,75 £

• Rainbow Salad3,95 £

  Candy stripe beetroot, yellow courgettes, plum tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, mixed leaves, radish and a citrus dressing on the side

• Creamed Spinach3,75 £

  Creamy spinach topped with herby breadcrumbs

Desserts

More temptation on our full dessert menu

• Rhubarb & Custard Ravioli5,95 £

  Pink pasta pockets filled with rhubarb. Served on vanilla custard, topped with rhubarb compote, crumble and extra custard on side

• Yoghurt Panna Cotta4,95 £

  Under 200 calories (Kcal); A lighter take on a classic made with yoghurt and cream, dressed with raspberries, strawberries and an edible flower

• White Chocolate Parfait6,50 £

  A smooth white chocolate parfait served with a cascading sour cherry shimmer sauce, cream and crumble

• Baked Chocolate Gnocchi5,95 £

  Italian for dumplings, these mini chocolate gnocchi are filled with Nutella and served with chocolate sauce on the side to dip and dunk

• Blood Orange & Chocolate Tart5,75 £

  Zesty dark chocolate tart on a seeded base, served with tangy raspberry sorbet

• Passion Fruit & Raspberry Cheesecake5,95 £

  Passion fruit and raspberry cheesecake on a biscuit base, drizzled with tangy passion fruit sauce, served with vanilla gelato

• Honeycomb Cheesecake5,95 £

  Creamy cheesecake on a cookie base, sprinkled with crunchy honeycomb chocolate pieces. Served with vanilla gelato

• Warm Cookie & Salted Caramel Gelato6,75 £

  Calling all salted caramel lovers, our warm cookie is topped with two scoops of salted caramel gelato and salted caramel sauce

• Warm Pear Tart5,95 £

  Poached pear on an almond frangipane base, with raspberries and vanilla gelato

• Chocolate Etna6,95 £

  Most Loved. Hot toffee sauce is poured over the dark chocolate cup at your table, revealing a hidden scoop of vanilla gelato on top of a heavenly hot chocolate fondant

Craft Lemonade

When life gives you lemons, sit back and let us make the lemonade!

• Traditional Still Lemonade

  • 275ml2,75 £

• Raspberry Still Lemonade

  • 275ml2,75 £

Soft Drinks

*In April 2018, HMRC applied a levy on manufacturers of sugar sweetened drinks thereby increasing the price of these sugar sweetened drinks by £0.10

• San Pellegrino

  Limonata (Lemon), Aranciata Rossa (Blood Orange)

  • 330ml2,75 £

• Coca Cola*

  • 330ml2,85 £

• Diet Coke

  • 330ml2,75 £

• Coke Zero

  • 330ml2,75 £

• Sprite

  • 330ml2,75 £

• Cranberry Juice*2,65 £

• Orange Juice2,55 £

• Apple Juice2,55 £

• Appletiser

  • 275ml2,75 £

• Acqua Panna Still Water

  • 500ml2,50 £
  • 1 Litre4,25 £

• San Pellegrino Sparkling Water

  • 500ml2,50 £
  • 1 litre4,25 £

Beers & Ciders

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro #1

  • 330ml4,25 £
  • 660ml6,55 £

• Peroni Nastro Azzurro #2

  • 330ml4,25 £

• Peroni Gran Riserva

  • 500ml6,25 £

• Peroni Libera 0.0%

  Crisp and refreshing non-alcoholic beer with a delicate and bitter taste

  • 330ml3,95 £

• Meantime Helles Lager

  A light, crisp, dry lager

  • 330ml4,95 £

• Meantime London Pale Ale

  Easy drinking ale packed with citrus flavour

  • 330ml4,95 £

• Cornish Orchards Dry Cider

  Made with 100% fresh pressed juice of apples, blended by hand

  • 500ml5,50 £

• Cornish Orchards Hedgerow Cider

  Made with 100% fresh pressed juice of apples and dark fruits for a sweet, fruity finish

  • 500ml5,50 £

• Guest Beers & Ciders4,95 £

  Ask your waiter about our limited edition seasonal beers & ciders

Cocktails

• Aperol Spritz6,50 £

  A classic Italian aperitivo - Aperol, Prosecco and soda

• Italian Twinkle6,50 £

  Prosecco with elderflower cordial, vodka and a twist of lemon

• Elderflower G&T6,75 £

  A refreshing mix of gin, elderflower cordial and tonic water garnished with rosemary

• Strawberry Pink G&T6,75 £

  Strawberry pink gin and tonic, garnished with rosemary

• Apple & Blackberry Cooler6,50 £

  Craft vodka and apple juice mixed with blackberry syrup, garnished with an edible flower

• Strawberry Soft Spritz3,75 £

  Strawberry syrup, lemon juice, topped up with soda water

• Negroni6,50 £

  The ultimate Italian cocktail, bitter Campari, sweet vermouth and gin

• Pink Smash6,50 £

  Prosecco, strawberry pink gin and a dash of strawberry syrup, garnished with an edible flower

• Strawberry Mojito6,50 £

  Rum, strawberry syrup, lime and lemon juice garnished with fresh mint

• Tropical Mojito6,50 £

  Rum, mango, passion fruit, lime and lemon juice garnished with fresh mint

• Soft Tropical Nojito3,75 £

  Mango, passion fruit, lime and lemon juice, garnished with fresh mint

Wine

All of our wines by the glass are also available in 125ml for £1.50 less than the equivalent 175ml price. Glass of sparkling wine - 125ml. Vintages may vary

White

• Sauvignon Blanc Doc, Friuli-Grave, Villa Chiopris

  Well balanced, goes perfectly with seafood and fish

  • 175ml6,25 £
  • 250ml7,95 £
  • 500ml15,50 £
  • 750ml22,95 £

• Trebbiano, Moncaro, Marche

  A crisp, easy drinking Chardonnay blend

  • 175ml3,95 £
  • 250ml5,25 £
  • 500ml10,25 £
  • 750ml14,95 £

• Garganega, Sartori, Veneto

  Refreshing, with peach and apricot flavours

  • 175ml4,75 £
  • 250ml5,95 £
  • 500ml11,75 £
  • 750ml16,95 £

• Bianco Salento, Puglia

  Well balanced between fresh and fruity, with ripe pear flavours

  • 175ml5,25 £
  • 250ml6,65 £
  • 500ml13,25 £
  • 750ml18,95 £

• Pinot Grigio, Sartori, Veneto

  An intense fruity aroma with a delicate taste

  • 175ml5,65 £
  • 250ml6,95 £
  • 500ml13,85 £
  • 750ml20,85 £

• Gavi DOCG Dezzani, Piedmont

  A refreshing wine with citrus fruit flavours

  • 750ml24,95 £

Rosé

• Pinot Grigio Blush Doc, Sartori, Veneto

  Refreshing and aromatic with delicate citrus fruit flavours

  • 175ml5,25 £
  • 250ml6,65 £
  • 500ml13,25 £
  • 750ml18,95 £

• Sparkling Rosé, La Gioiosa, Treviso

  Bright pink in colour with a fresh, crisp taste

  • 750ml22,95 £

Red

• Merlot IGT Cantina di Gambellara, Veneto

  Full bodied and luscious with ripe flavours of black plum and Morello cherry

  • 175ml5,95 £
  • 250ml6,95 £
  • 500ml13,75 £
  • 750ml19,95 £

• Nero d'Avola, Cusumano, Sicily

  Medium bodied Nero D'Avola Shiraz, flavoured with red berry fruits

  • 175ml3,95 £
  • 250ml5,25 £
  • 500ml10,25 £
  • 750ml14,95 £

• Sangiovese IGT Moncaro, Marche

  With hints of wild berries and a fresh, delicate taste. Easy drinking

  • 175ml4,75 £
  • 250ml5,95 £
  • 500ml11,75 £
  • 750ml16,95 £

• Primitivo, Puglia

  A smooth, rich red with full fruit flavours

  • 175ml5,50 £
  • 250ml6,75 £
  • 500ml13,25 £
  • 750ml18,95 £

• Malbec IGT Casa Vinicola, Veneto

  Vibrant and juicy, medium bodied red wine

  • 175ml6,25 £
  • 250ml7,95 £
  • 500ml15,50 £
  • 750ml22,95 £

• Chianti Classico DOCG Donna Laura, Tuscany

  Balances ripe fruit flavours with a hint of spice

  • 750ml25,95 £

Sparkling

• Sparkling Pinot Grigio Doc, Bosco del Conte, Veneto

  A classic pinot grigio with added sparkle

  • 125ml5,00 £
  • 750ml22,50 £

• Prosecco Brut Doc, Soligo

  The classic Italian sparkling aperitivo

  • 125ml5,25 £
  • 750ml23,50 £

Spirits & Mixers

Add an extra 25ml measure £3.35

Spirits

• Rokeby's Half Crown Craft Gin

  • 25ml4,95 £

• Pink Strawberry Gin

  • 25ml4,95 £

• Red Griffin Craft Vodka

  • 25ml4,95 £

• Jack Daniels

  • 25ml4,95 £

• Ron Caldos Caribbean Rum

  • 25ml4,95 £

Mixers

• Tonic

  • 200ml4,95 £

• Slimline Tonic

  • 200ml4,95 £

• Lemonade

  • 200ml4,95 £

• Soda Water

  • 200ml4,95 £