ASK Italian is one of those restaurants you have to visit whilst studying in York. Located in Blake Street, behind the main shopping area, it is easy to walk past ASK without realising that it is there. However, this hidden restaurant is worth a visit. You’ve probably eaten at a branch of ASK before but the one in York is definitely distinct.
Set inside the impressive old Georgian Assembly Rooms, ASK has a very relaxed atmosphere. This makes it the restaurant perfect for a birthday, date, or a nice meal out. The staff are extremely friendly and attentive – I was seated at a table straightaway. It was a relief to be inside, out of the freezing cold Northern conditions, and warmed by the irresistible smell of pizza.
Browsing through the menu, I was delighted to see that there was an extensive selection of pizzas, as there was the last time I visited an ASK restaurant in London a few years ago. There was plenty to choose from, from the classic Margherita to the more adventurous Salsiccia – spicy sausage, red peppers, pancetta, caramelised onions and Fontal cheese. After a moment’s contemplation, I settled on the Stromboli pizza. I was served within minutes, which is somewhat unusual for a busy restaurant. Much to my delight, the pizza had plenty of pepperoni – not too much, but not too little either. The Stromboli was also thin and crispy, another ideal quality for a pizza. It was undoubtedly one of the best pizzas I’ve had in a long time!
ASK is the ideal restaurant for students on a tight budget. The starters are fairly cheap, some costing less than a fiver, working out well if you are sharing between a number of people. The food is delicious and not too filling – perfect for either lunch or dinner. I would definitely recommend ASK. Sure, as a student you’ve probably had enough of pizza (Efe’s anyone?) but ASK is unique and serves real, authentic Italian food, something that is hard to find these days.