The cosy Altrincham Sicilian lovingly serving some of Manchester’s best pasta

Few cuisines are defended and lauded quite so vigorously as Italian — it’s that kind of passion and fierce commitment to quality and hospitality that shines through from the moment you’re warmly welcomed at Bar Etna in Altrincham.

Here, it’s the owners’ Sicilian roots that have shaped the restaurant’s offering, a concept that has quickly become a hit with locals since opening just last year.

The menu is encouragingly concise, though when everything at least sounds like a hit, choosing what to have is still no easy task. We eventually opted for the Trofie al Pistachio — an indulgent treat of a dish, pasta is generously coated in rich pistachio cream and balanced beautifully with the crisp saltiness of fried pancetta.

For what it’s worth, I vowed to go back and try something else in aid of writing this, but eventually caved and ordered the exact same portion through nothing but fear of missing out.

The Tagliatelle Etna was equally as pleasing, mixing chunks of moreish spicy sausage with a fragrant mushroom and garlic sauce. As was the veggie-friendly Penne Alla Norma, which combines tomatoes, garlic and fried aubergine with salt ricotta to wonderful effect.

The small, buzzy dining room also doubles up as a deli. Dried pasta, tinned tomatoes, liqueurs and other Sicilian treats cascade around the walls, and at the back, you’ll find a counter filled with various chunks of gorgeous-looking salamis, prosciuttos and whatever other cold cuts you could dream of taking home.

As we’re so often told should be the case with this type of food, simplicity takes centre stage. Etna focuses on honest cooking with huge amounts of love and care, and the team have ensured the place feels welcome to anyone and everyone — mates, dates, family outings, whatever…pulling up a chair here feels immediately comfortable and familiar, whether it’s your first time or your fifth.

Beyond all of this, Etna offers, frankly, immense value. Not a single one of the seven pasta dishes will set you back more than £11, while a great bottle of Nero d’Avola can be enjoyed for just £20, which seems absurd in today’s climate.

To book your table at Bar Etna, click the button below.