Subject: Upstairs at Organico, Staveley Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 9/23/2009 Body: RATING Total 21 Great atmosphere 3 Home cooked fresh food 5 Plenty of flavour 4 Good value for money 5 Service with a smile 4 Telephone : 01539 822200 www.organi.co.uk Original review: September 19, 2009, for lunch We've been fans of Organico ever since the organic wine merchants set up their first shop in Ambleside some years ago. They now run a considerably bigger establishment in the fabulous Staveley Mill Yard, where we turned up to have lunch in their 1st floor restaurant. It's a relaxed place with good music playing at an enjoyable volume – personally I would have preferred an interior more rustic and eclectic in feel than the restrained elegance they've gone for, but there's lots of wood and it's a great space. The menu is a daytime one, but considerably more interesting than most cafés and a lot of pubs. Many of the dishes have a Mediterranean ring, there is e g a cassoulet and various light bites which include south European dips and other produce which go well with the wines on offer. In addition to a few salads, pastas and open sandwiches – all non-standard – there are daily specials and a dozen 9" pizzas, with very imaginative toppings. We decided to go for the latter, and I had a pizza with caramelized red onions, gorgonzola and pine nuts – really delicious. Martin and Luke shared one with Cumberland sausage, duck confit and chicken fillet. Luke cherry picked the gorgeous sausage pieces and Martin was very happy with what was left. I have left the best for last – the amazing value for money. The pizzas, which were filling enough to almost feed two people, are priced from £5.95 to £7.30, with most of the other dishes in the same range. The most expensive food item on the menu was a fish special at just over £8. Just compare this to paying £12-15 for a main course in many of the local pubs. Unbeatable in my book. Plus you have full table service. And a great selection of wines by the glass. In short, I'm a happy customer. By Cecilia Campbell     Cancel