First opened by Xhelal Hoxha in 2014, today his sons, Bislim and Meriton, take a lead on what has become one of Oldham’s best loved Italian eateries – Mazzo. Centrally located in Royton, inside you’ll find a spacious, modern interior defined by minimalist design, polished floors, leather upholstery and lots of wood. A chic dining room which, much like the food itself, proves you don’t necessarily need a lot of things if everything that goes into what you do is of the very highest quality.
In this case, that means sourcing all meat and vegetables from expert local suppliers, and importing specialist ingredients direct from the country that inspired the menu. Classic Antipasti is always a good place to start, and at Mazzo there’s a lot to go at. Gamberoni – king prawns in garlic and chilli butter with Tuscan bread — is a winner for us, as is the bolognese-filled Arancini, Rapa e Capra (marinated beetroot slices, crumbled goats cheese, pine nuts and rocket), and Capesante, which combines king scallops, pan fried, with pancetta and sweet pepper sauce.
Pasta is here in even greater numbers, running from Lobster Ravioli to Rigatoni Ragu di Cinghiale (six hour, slow-cooked wild boar), Linguine Granchio, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Penne Al Pesto, among others. Alternatively, punt for one of the excellent homemade pizzas, with pesto, white, and gluten free bases available. In true Italian style, the real showstoppers come from sea and grill. Pesce options include Lemon Sole, served with a rich caper and butter sauce, and salmon fillet with baby prawns in a creamy bisque. Carne choices feature Filetto Rossini (8oz steak, marsala wine), Legato (calf liver and mash), and Stinco D’Agnello (lamb shank). A fine selection of imported beers and wines are on offer, too, and the bar is known for incredible twists on classic cocktails.