IT was a cold February lunchtime when we spotted the A-board advertising a lunch special at £4.75.

However, as we could only see two customers inside, we were in a quandary. Was it genuinely quiet, or did people know something about this venue that we did not?

But nothing ventured, nothing gained, so in we went.

It was just our luck to be allocated a wobbly table, but once I had wedged a leg all was well. Soon, four more couples came in, so at least the place was beginning to show signs of life.

This is quite a big Italian restaurant with suitable national artefacts and pictures on display. A number of decorated wall-mounted plates stretched my Italian beyond its limits.

A basket of delicious Italian bread appeared, which filled a corner before our meal arrived.

A comprehensive menu was produced, offering pasta and pizza dishes similar to those available at most Italian restaurants.

We had to inquire what the special lunch (and early bird evening meal) entailed, and were surprised to be told any item on the menu despite quite a variation in price.

Ann ordered lasagne. In due course, it arrived with a health warning that the dish was exceptionally hot. True! However, the quality and quantity of the helping met with total approval.

My choice was difficult to make. There was so much that I liked the sound of, but the farfalle salmone won the day. According to the menu, this was butterfly-shaped pasta with smoked salmon, but my tastebuds thought it was more like unsmoked salmon. It was good and remained reasonably hot throughout, although I question whether it was dished up on to a hot plate.

We were offered neither sweet nor coffee, so can't comment on those.

Strangely, the window bears a sign reading 'Morning coffee'; yet the venue only opens from 11.30am-2pm and then again from 5.30pm.

For £9.50, we walked out feeling both warm and satisfied.

Updated: 16:32 Friday, February 27, 2004