and then browsing the haute couture boutiques of Italy.

You enter the restaurant through the sizable outdoor patio area and past the broad and high windows which can open up completely during the summer. Once inside, the effect is stunning, including a display of the quintessentially Italian foods of pasta, olive oil and water from the slopes of the Alps arranged on rows of shelves near the entrance. The walls are decorated with an interesting mix of paintings, photos and ornaments together with luscious plants. The furniture too is mixed from padded wicker seats to more traditional wooden chairs and the glass topped tables were adorned with lighted candles in wax covered wine bottles. The Latin experience is completed with clear and vivid lighting resembling a sun filled terrace bar.

This is ideal territory for pre-cinema eats or a relaxing stop off for an early morning breakfast. Also in true Italian fashion one is free just to pop in on the way to town or work for a caffeine boost to set you up for the next part of the day.

The food, whilst stylishly presented, was mixed in content and taste. The garlic bread was excellent and seemed to be infused with garlic; however the brushetta was plain and the dryness made it difficult to eat unless washed down with moderate but expensive wine.

The main courses were also hit and miss. The grilled chicken ciabatta was succulent and cooked to perfection but the accompanying fries were of the oven cooked variety. The pasta marinara was dry and lifeless with minimal seafood visible and insufficient white wine sauce to give the dish any credit. The saving grace, however, was the carne mista meat feast pizza with a large and crusty base and topped off with good portions of different hams to provide a tasty feast. At the end of the meal the waiter was more than happy to provide a takeaway box for leftovers from the enormous pizza.

Despite the elegant and stylish surrounds and décor most of the food resembled mass-produced food sold at moderate prices but can be recommended as ideally located to pass by for a snack and a coffee.