Review: I tried Oldham's top Tripadvisor Italian restaurant

Stocco Oldham had already been recommended to me by Oldhamers and once I saw it occupied the top spot on Tripadvisor's Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Oldham list, I couldn't resist. 

Having worked in two Italian restaurants for five years throughout college and university, I'd like to think I have a decent eye for quality Italian dishes.

Entering the restaurant at 12pm as they opened, I was the first customer that day- which can be an awkward experience sometimes, but I was immediately welcomed in and comfortable. 

The inside of Stocco Oldham is stylish and comfortable (Image: Newsquest)

After sitting me in a comfortable booth, my waiter, Anthony, took my drinks order and left me to browse the menu. 

With a large range of dishes available, I was grateful for being allowed a decent length of time to choose my meal.

I decided on calamari to start, as well as garlic bread with tomato- or pane all'aglio con pomodoro, as the menu read. 

With my appetite on the smaller side and sizeable portions, I couldn't finish the garlic bread, but as I had set my sights on pasta for my main, I wanted to put their pizza bases to the test.

My starter dishes at Stocco Oldham (Image: Newsquest)

The garlic bread was on an obviously homemade base, fluffy around the crust and thin in the centre, thoroughly reminding me of a trip to Florence earlier this year.

The calamari was even better, a favourite of mine and ordered at every restaurant I find it, this has to be up there with some of the best.

With a light and tasteful dusting of salt and pepper and what I believed to be fresh squid - not the awful, mushy frozen stuff - there was no way I wasn't polishing the dish off. 

The two dishes were well presented: the bread lightly drizzled in olive oil and the calamari on a bed of rocket and served with a lemon wedge and roasted garlic mayonnaise- I've no complaints here.

Next was my main, and I'd gone for Penne Picante, a dish described as 'Nduja and fresh spicy sausage ragu with red peppers and fresh basil.

The penne picante I had for my main (Image: Newsquest)

Now, I am well acquainted with traditional, authentic 'Nduja imported from its originating region, Calabria, (as it was the home of a chef I worked under and one of my favourite ingredients).

This is where my only (slight) issue could be, I personally couldn't taste the smoky, spicy sausage in the dish. 

There was definitely a small spice present, but I'm not sure I would relate it to the signature flavour profile of 'Nduja, though the deep red colouring was still there, so it may just be a less spicy version of the product than I'm used too.

However, the dish overall was definitely enjoyable, with plenty of sauce and the pleasant sweetness of the red peppers contrasting the spice, and I decided to take home what I couldn't finish, always the sign of a great meal.

Finally, I persevered with my full stomach to test out the dessert menu, which was one of the most authentic Italian/ European desert selections I've seen.

Missing off the cliché chocolate fudge cake and brownie-type additions, I was stuck for choice.

I decided to try what I believe is their way of remaining true to the theme, but pleasing everyone, a Chocolate Fondant.

The chocolate fondant- yes, I am aware the dish is French, but who doesn't love chocolate? (Image: Newsquest)

This dish came very well presented, with the vanilla ice cream originally placed neatly on top of the fondant, but the melting nature of it caused it to fall.

A nice dusting of icing sugar on top of a rich chocolate drizzle also helped to make the dish visually appealing.

Visuals weren't the only positives with this dish, the satisfying break of the sponge shell revealing a warm, gooey chocolate filling which definitely ticked a box. 

The taste was also to perfection, not overly rich like chocolate desserts often are, and the ice cream made a great addition to negate any risk of that. 

Throughout my visit, Anthony and another, Italian, server were attentive and warmly mannered, making conversation about the Euro 2024 and making sure the food was up to scratch.

I would say the pricing of the food was reasonable, perhaps slightly expensive to some but with the obviously fresh ingredients, I would estimate they have accurately calculated the prices for the cost of upholding the quality. 

Overall, Stocco Oldham is definitely worthy of its top spot in the Tripadvisor top 10 Italian restaurants in the town, and also holds second place in the general top 10 restaurants in Oldham list.