Mario's: A reputation for quality Italian food built over more than half a century
The Ink Food and Drink Focus
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Even in a town so well provided with excellent Italian cuisine, a visit to Mario’s is special
Barrie Hudson and his colleagues recently enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Wood Street venue
Swindon punches well above its weight in everything from the arts to commerce, and our diversity of restaurant cuisine is no exception to the rule.
Throw a dart at a map of the world, and no matter the region where it ends up there’s a far better than average chance that you’ll be able to find at least one restaurant serving food from that neck of the woods.
In fact, it’s worth a bet that you’ll also find a specialist shop or decently-sized supermarket where you can buy everything you need to have a crack at recreating a dish or two at home - successfully or otherwise.
We in Swindon are particularly well-served (literally) when it comes to authentic Italian cuisine and have been for many years, but if you were to ask anybody to name their favourite, Mario’s would at the very least be firmly in the front rank.
That is hardly surprising, as the place has had more than half a century to perfect and refine its craft. Founded in 1972, when people were still being sent to walk on the Moon, Ted Heath was Prime Minister and The Osmonds, T. Rex, David Cassidy and Swindon’s own Gilbert O’Sullivan dominated the singles charts, Mario’s has been a much-loved feature of the local dining scene ever since.
Now under new management led by host Zeus, who has been a prominent and respected figure in the restaurant industry for many years, the venue looks set to maintain its enviable reputation for many years to come.
That’s why I was glad when my colleagues and I agreed on Mario’s for a recent lunch.