Old stalwart the star of the show

The weather continues to shape my culinary choices. Even before we sat down for a meal at Como, a sea-facing restaurant and bar on Limassol’s coast road, I knew that a bowl of warm soup would be among the items we ordered. It felt like the only way to stave off the shivers brought upon by a cold snap and unrelenting winds.

Como, like many a Cypriot establishment, has an inside, and then a second inside. What this means is that the exterior area has been heavily shielded from the elements, at least in the winter, so that it approximates a second interior space. This is a note for people who are sensitive to smoke, as people are allowed to light one up or order shisha in this area. In addition, if you are planning to visit at night any time soon, two layers are advisable, unless you want to keep your coat on.

In terms of design, Como is elegant and stylish, combining exposed brick, sleek surfaces and modern decoration. It gets particularly busy during weekend mornings, with people visiting for its brunch menu, which is available until noon. Its location also benefits from the sun, since the sea is across the street, along with the fairly new volleyball courts, and the openness of the small square it’s located in.

In terms of drinks, we kept it simple. Beer, water and that’s it. That said, it has a good-sized wine menu, along with the standard assortment of cocktails. Back to the aforementioned soup we had as a starter. We both had the minestrone, with fresh diced carrots and courgettes, served with fresh pesto and parmesan stick. If you are prone to cutting up your bread and dunking it in the soup, note that the parmesan bread is somewhat salty so no need to add any additional salt. The soup itself was well-made and proved a very comforting introduction to the culinary side of the evening.

As a main, we tried the Bolognese pasta and a classic margherita pizza. The pizza was perfectly cooked, with thin, crusty dough, and golden cheese on top. It leans towards cheese rather than tomato sauce. But, the Bolognese was undoubtedly the star of the show and an item I will be specifically be revisiting the restaurant for. It wasn’t how I had expected it, to be honest. You see I hadn’t read the description because I’ve had this dish countless times elsewhere before, so I just assumed minced beef and spaghetti.

Instead, it was made with tagliatelle and beef chunks, with a delectable sauce that felt rustic and reminiscent of something your parents would have made with patience and care. The meat was slow-cooked and tender, and the ragu was rich and thick. In addition, instead of grated cheese, it came with flakes of parmesan, which gradually melt and blend into the warm pasta and sauce beneath it. Not the cheapest Bolognese I’ve had but I highly recommend it.

For dessert we tried their chocolate lava cake, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, which was expectedly (and fatteningly, if that’s a word) delicious. All in all, a pleasant experience that I would be happy to repeat.

VITAL STATISTICS

SPECIALTY Italian, sandwiches, grilled items, salads

WHERE Como Osteria Lounge & Bar, Olympic Residence, 28 October Ave 353, Limassol

WHEN 8-1am weekdays, 8-1:30am Friday, 8-2am Saturday

HOW MUCH €17 for pasta, €10 for soup, €17 for pizza

CONTACT: 25 247247