Opened in 1989, Cerutti 2 is the younger sister of the well-established and successful Ceruttis (based in Hull’s old town for over 30 years) and, as such, has much to aspire to. Offering a varied selection of (predominantly) fish dishes, Cerutti 2 sets a high standard for fine dining in East Yorkshire.

The Venue
A short walk from Beverley town centre, Cerutti 2 occupies the old railway station waiting rooms where a discreet stained glass name plate above the door is the only thing to mark the restaurant’s existence. Once inside, it is evident that much effort has been made with the decor, which adheres to a 1920s Art Deco style. The colour scheme is chiefly black and white; from the chequered floor and black stemmed wine glasses to the stainless steel fan-shaped uplighters and monochrome prints of moody New York skylines. Stylised without being gimmicky, this homage to another era works beautifully within such an unusual building and adds another layer to the restaurant’s character.

Despite the retro look of the restaurant, the Cerutti family is clearly forward-thinking and Cerutti 2 hosts a weekly fish cookery workshops where customers can pick up tips and gain an insight into running of a restaurant. Next door to the eatery is the C Horse Deli, which offers a range of products, ingredients and ready meals should you wish to attempt to recreate the dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen.

The Atmosphere
Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch (12noon - 2pm) and evening meals (6.45pm to 9.45pm), the restaurant is by no means spacious but uses the space adequately and intelligently, engendering an intimate friendly atmosphere. Staff are relaxed, sociable and always professional and the chef, taking justified pride in her work, will often pop into the dining room to check on patrons’ enjoyment.

Customers tend to be of the more mature persuasion – older parents with grown up children and their partners, groups of friends and even single diners taking the opportunity to immerse themselves in a book as they eat. That is not to say Cerutti 2 excludes younger visitors and, as seriously as Cerutti 2 takes the business of food, an inherent playfulness shines through as is revealed when, upon paying a visit to the lavatories, you will find transparent toilet seats inlayed with miniature dolphins and seashells.

The Food
The a la carte menu makes for mouth-watering reading with unusually named (Oscar Wilde scampi) as well as more traditional (Scottish smoked salmon) fish dishes on offer. Priced at £7.45, the herring and anchovy salad starter is nothing close to the pickled, salty assault you might imagine and is actually a light, unadulterated taste of the sea. The flavours are pure and the chef allows the ingredients to speak for themselves, needing only a dash of lemon to accent the dish. The whitebait is also uncommonly good and copious in quantity - the batter is well seasoned, but light enough to enhance, rather than stifle, the tiny fish.

For £15.95, the chargrilled salmon with asparagus and hollandaise sauce is crispy and succulent in all the right places; the skin is smoky and the flesh, so fresh and alive with taste, flakes effortlessly under the fork. Although billed as a specialist seafood restaurant, Cerutti 2 by no means ignores those craving real meat. Locally reared sausage with caramelised onion mash (£9.95), rack of lamb and fillet steak (£20.95) are all present and offer more than adequate alternatives to fish. The succulent and perfectly creamy chicken breast with mango chutney (£14.95) is a nothing short of magnificent, a must-try if you normally gravitate towards Thai curry or mildly spicy dishes.

Vegetarian choices, such as wild mushroom and red onion risotto, leek and watercress roulade and tomato and mozzarella bruschetta with pesto, are also dotted throughout the menu. It is, however, almost sacrilege to visit this restaurant and not try the fish, for it is fish dishes where Cerutti 2 truly demonstrates its expertise, knowledge and passion for quality ingredients.

Main courses are served with seasonal vegetables which, be it mange tout, broccoli, shredded carrot or new potatoes, are created and presented with skill and flair - the chunky hand cooked chips, in particular, have a very moreish caramelised tinge.

Like its sister restaurant, Cerutti 2 offers monthly special menus, priced at two courses for £16.95 and three courses for £19.95. Changing each month to reflect the seasons, diners are offered starters such as crab thermidor or chicken and avocado salad, while main courses of fillet of pork with ginger, spring onions and lemon butter, Steak Diane and baked salmon with horseradish will have you deliberating over the menu. The choice of sweet of the day or cheese and biscuits provide a fitting finale to the meal. Presentation is consistently beautiful but understated – meals are served on simple geometric black plates or white platters adorned with line drawn blue fish.

The Drink
It would be an unmitigated travesty to serve such elegant food and neglect to source the appropriate wines to complement the dishes. Happily, however, this is not a trap Cerutti 2 can be said to fall into. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc present customary accompaniments to seafood while, for those choosing meatier dishes (or who buck convention and just order what they please irrespective of what they are eating) a range including Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon will all fit the bill. Wine can be ordered by the bottle or (in the case of some) by the glass and is no more expensive than any other city centre restaurant of this ilk. A (not inconsiderable) range of spirits and a small selection of beers will placate those who may be uninspired by the wine list.

The Last Word
Cerutti 2 offers quality dining in a charming and welcoming setting. Superb local ingredients, knowledgeable, friendly staff and a true passion for cuisine combine to make this restaurant one of the best in the area.

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