It was my first time visiting VOLA since it changed it’s name from LAVO back in early 2025. This was all part of a significant relaunch aimed at upgrading the dining experience, changing the menu and refining the restaurant’s identity and cuisine.
Most people would probably still assume it’s an Italian Restaurant that does pizza and pasta but it’s actually much more of a vibrant Mediterranean style menu with Italian inspiration and focusing on it’s à la carte dining experience, but don’t worry, they do still have pizza and pasta.
They’ve just launched their brand new menu and there are some delicious sounding dishes on offer.
So let’s get into it, what did we have, well to start, we had these beautifully crisp breaded lasagne bites, with soft layers of pasta and beef ragu hidden inside with a smooth béchamel sauce cascading down the sides for dipping and a generous helping of grated Grana Padano DOP. I’d say great as a sharer for one each or as your starter for one, this really satisfies your taste buds, I mean deep fried lasagne is just a thing of beauty.
Next up, from the starter menu bresaola & rocket, which is a thinly sliced air-dried Italian beef. I personally loved this starter, the sweet notes in the cured meat complimented by the pop of zesty lime juice and fresh rocket, every mouthful was moreish and gathering up those Grana shavings onto your fork along with it. The portion size was also impressive.
Second starter, we had the scallops served with a tarragon, leek & white wine sauce, finished with crispy pancetta dotted around the plate. The pan seared Scallops were tender and moist with a delicate and mild flavour coming through, lightly seared to keep that firm, golden-brown crust on the outside while being tender, succulent and slightly buttery on the inside, melting in the mouth with every bite and the presentation made them the star of the show. The crisp pancetta and creamy sauce added varied texture and flavour to the dish and the grilled lime and decorative Frico (Parmesan Crisps) made it look pretty.
On to the mains, the seafood mixed grill, comprised of a four-piece seafood feast featuring king prawns and three of the day’s best landings from the kitchen’s local supplier. Served with a zesty lemon-caper butter, hand-cut chips & house salad with fresh green olives. The fish was perfectly grilled, leaving the salmon and sea bream soft and flaky, and if you like king prawns and mussels, these were huge! The capers in the sauce add that little touch of salt and sour that cuts through the fish and I think you’ll agree, just looking at it looks tempting…as long as you like seafood of course.
My main dish was a 6 hour slow cooked beef short rib that was super tender on the bone, I say on the bone but it was so tender it fell right off as soon as my fork went near it. Served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and surrounded in a rich and slightly salty red wine reduction gravy & salsa verde. I loved this dish but I think it just needed something stronger and more powerful to breakthrough the rich flavours, a little like mint sauce with lamb. I couldn’t quite taste the tang and vibrance of the salsa verde enough, but really that’s just me and my preference. Still, an outstanding dish of savoury and meaty flavours and I think it would be a great addition to add the tenderstem broccoli as a side. The dish was warm, hearty and filling.
As you can imagine, by this point we are quite full but couldn’t resist the dessert menu after seeing the table behind get theirs, so we decided to share the special of the day, Pistachio and Raspberry cheesecake, wow! what a cheesecake. This needs to be on the menu everyday! A thin biscuit base with everything you expect from a homemade cheesecake. Creamy, smooth and just a very addictive flavour that you can’t stop eating. It had roasted pistachios mixed amongst it all, inside and out and the raspberry coulis drizzled on the top and around the plate just added that extra depth and sharpness that cut through the sweetness of the pistachio sauce and cream filling.
The overall dining experience at VOLA was very enjoyable and friendly, the staff were polite and attentive and the feel of the venue was relaxed and atmospheric. Low lighting created the mood. We also got chatting to a lovely couple that were regulars at the restaurant, they said they have been going since the 80’s, through all the owners and name changes and it’s still their favourite spot, to quote them “you can’t beat it”.
VOLA has a great new menu and even has a set course meal offer.
Every Wednesday and Thursday you can choose 2 courses for £26 OR 3 course for £30. Just look for this ★ Symbol on the menu to see the dishes included in the offer.
VOLA also do a variety of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options.
Scunthorpe Nights 