San Carlo looks to challenge Reading's Italian chain restaurants

In contrast to the Mediterranean-themed chains that dominate Reading high streets, San Carlo Ristorante is “an Italian restaurant, cooking Italian food, by Italians, and served by Italians,” according to its owner Franco Guglielmone.

He has opened six independent restaurants and cafes in Italy and England in the last 40 years after being inspired by his grandmother’s eatery, where he spent his childhood.

“We have original recipes, we just do not do Italian-British food, we tend to do food which is actually served in Italian restaurants in Italy,” said Mr Guglielmone, who opened San Carlo with co-director Agostino Iebba on Friday (November 25).

Left to right: Restaurant team Gianni, Cristian, Maurizio and Giovanni (Image: San Carlo Ristorante)

“I think we are very good at what we do, we are very proud of our food.

“We are proper Italian. If you come into our restaurant you will hear us talking Italian. We are representing a good Italian restaurant, 100 per cent, not just using the Italian brand to generate business.”

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He promises fresh pasta and pizza dough made in-house at the Caversham Road establishment, as well as some ingredients sourced from Reading-based businesses, such as a butchers.

In just three days trading, the venue has racked up 4.7 out of 5 stars from 135 reviews on Google.

Mr Guglielmone, aged 66, opened his first restaurant in England in 1986, followed by a coffee bar, and then a hotel in Italy, among other venues.

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“I grew up in Italy in a restaurant with my grandmother next to my house so I have been around food since I was a little boy,” he said.

He was set to retire after being forced to close his last restaurant due to a combination of pandemic pressures and Brexit making it more difficult to hire staff.

“But I decided to get involved again because I like food, I have a very high passion for food,” said Mr Guglielmone.

“Now I am back and ready to go, so I decided to do one more business – although it is not the best time to open a business I must admit,” he said, commenting on spiralling energy prices and the cost of living crisis.

“It is a challenge but we firmly believe Reading is an opportunity and good food and good service should pay off.

“That’s what we base our business on: To make people think this is one of the best restaurants you can go to in Reading, so let’s make the effort to go to it.”

San Carlo Ristaurante is open from midday and takes last orders at 2pm, and again from 6pm to 9.15pm, Tuesday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the venue is open half an hour later, closing at 9.45pm.

Parking is available opposite the restaurant and on Northfield Road, according to Mr Guglielmone.