Cafe Batastini's

113 Commercial Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5RT. Tel: 01202 555 395

My friend said don't do it. But I did it. Why? I will tell you why (it aint bad really so don't be put off).

Summer of '96

When I first moved down to Bournemouth in 1996 this Italian cafe down by the Triangle was already here. I am very sure it was the same name. It was one sunny summer's day that I went in for lunch. I sat down for an expresso and ordered a spaghetti carbonara. The little expresso came and I also got a glass of water with lots of ice in. Nice touch I thought.

When my spaghetti came, it was absolutely spot on. You will see in my many write ups on Italian restaurants in and out of Bournemouth, I tend to use the carbonara as a benchmark. If it comes out as a bowl of child friendly soft spaghetti covered in a thick layer of white Cook-In suace then I know I will never go back to that place to eat, not out of choice anyway.

So, when I was tucking into my lunch, the spaghetti was real al-dente, no thick white sauce, just a bit of cream and egg yolk stirred in and the heat gently cooked it through.

Nowhere else has come to that level for me and it is so infuriating.

My friend was right, I shouldn't have gone back but I was drawn by the name. I should have left it as one of the best moments along with my seafood platters and eating at Nobu.

The return trip

So, I went there today, with anticipation. It wasn't the same, it was never going to be really. The carbonara was tasty and whatever pepper they used in their grinder was good stuff as well. they left the bowl of parmesan on the table which made life easy. It was tasty enough I grant you that.

Not sure if it is the same people or somehow they plucked that name back from history for a reason.

Their desserts did look really, really good. Huge thick slice for £2.50 but I didn't have time to order one as I had only parked up for an hour and the spaghetti was cooked to order so that took 15 minutes.

Oh to be back in the summer of 1996.

And the search for the perfect carbonara continues...

There must be an Italian restaurant in Dorset that makes it like mamma!