New Bury St Edmunds restaurant Rustico in Risbygate Street offers a 'real taste of Italy'

A new independent restaurant offering dishes from across Italy has opened in Bury St Edmunds.

Rustico opened this week on Risbygate Street after the owners spent nearly a year refurbishing an 18th century town centre building.

It's a joint venture between business partners Michele Pagliuca, Marian Grosoiu and Silene Ziglioli.

Michele and Marian previously worked together at Carluccio's and Wagamama in the town, where Marian was head chef and Michele worked in management.

Rustico offers fresh and home-cooked food, as well as wines, from all regions of the restaurant owners' homeland.

"We first looked at the building in 2020 and fell in love with it," said Michele.

"It dates back to 1750 and has been closed for four years before we took it over.

"We opened on Monday with a soft launch with around 100 people visiting us so far.

"Everyone is as fascinated by it, and liked the fresh cooked food, portion sizes and affordable prices."

The restaurant menu includes dishes from the mountainous north to the south and coastal areas of Italy.

Michele hails from the south of the country and Marian and Silene from the north.

Chef's recommendations include Frittura di Mare, with squid, prawns, seabass and whitebait, crispy served with fresh made garlic mayo and samphire; Ravioli di Melanzane, homemade ravioli pasta with aubergine and ricotta filling, and Ossobuco alla Milanese, slow cooked beef shin served with saffron risotto, from Milan.

The restaurant, which has eight staff in total, also features a range of Italians wines including Fiano IGT Terre Siciliane from Sicily, Malvasia del Salento from Puglia and Biferno rosso DOC Palladino from Molise.

"At the moment we have eleven tables with 28 seats, and are also planning to open the second floor later this year," added Michele.

"It's great to have opened an independent Italian restaurant in such a beautiful town."