We decided to have a change from Greek food and try Italian. The Doumo always seemed popular, so we decided to give it a go. It was reasonably empty when we got there, and I spotted a table for two just adjacent to the open air. We ordered two large draught beers (although they did have a reasonable selection of wines and a good value local carafe) and then considered the menu. As with most places in Paphos, there was a set menu, although I decided to opt for the T-bone steak at £6.95.
Soon the place was throbbing with diners. However, in my mind, the Duomo is a little bit greedy for customers, as there was very little "personal space" between tables, acceptable if you want to get up close and personal with strangers or if you’re happy to have other’s smoke wafting up your nostrils whilst you attempt to enjoy the flavours of your meal. You will detect that I wasn’t too enamoured with the ambience of the place!
My wife opted for a set menu of garlic mushrooms and spaghetti bolognaise. Whilst we waited, we tried the very unusual "butter" that accompanied our bread rolls. We decided that it contained sun-dried tomatoes, although we weren’t that sure! Her starter was served on a salad bed, and the small taster that I was allowed to try was both hot and tasty – not too heavy on the garlic, but you knew it was there.
My T-bone virtually filled the plate and was incredibly succulent. Served with flavoursome mushrooms, a nicely prepared jacket potato, a small bowlful of curiously flavoured pasta (just a reminder that I was eating Italian), and a selection of undercooked vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, and beans), it made for a demanding meal. My wife’s spaghetti was a substantial dish and was rapidly and adeptly devoured with enough fork twiddling to make even the Italians dizzy. The remaining sauce was drunk like soup, and her one and only criticism was that "it could have been hotter"
As soon as the last mouthful was eaten, the table was descended upon in a vulture like motion by two waitresses – if we’d have blinked we would have missed the removal of our crockery. We rounded our meal off with a superb ice-cream dish in a mock cornet with lashing of chocolate sauce and cholesterol-full cream and a Tiramisu. My wife tells me that the Tiramisu was spot on, and I can confirm that the ice cream hit the spot. We’d eaten plenty and asked for the bill, which, when it finally arrived, was incorrect. It was queried and put right without any hassle, but I was just left wondering.
Duomo offers quantity and reasonable-quality food, but is nothing really special. I wouldn’t rush to return there!