Piano Ristorante

There's something very British about Southwell, with its quaint old English shops, Tudor architecture and imposing, beautiful minster. But amongst these timeless streets nestles a slice of Italian sunshine - friendly eatery, Piano. Inside, smart, wood-panelled walls, exposed brick and a polished grand piano reflect the restaurant's British foundations, yet there's something about the music and ambience that bestows an authentic Italian feel. Reinforcing this were starters of succulent king prawns and calamari tossed in olive oil and fresh herbs with buttery garlic bread and a crisp white wine. My companion's chilli pasta was cooked to his own specification to deliver just the desired bite, while my chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, wild mushrooms and rosemary was a riot of flavours, made all the more delicious by a scattering of smoky juniper berries.

By the time dessert rolled round we were pleasantly sated but found we couldn't resist the prospect of cherry and raspberry sorbet or pistachio ice cream. Luckily, our appetites swiftly recovered to enjoy the tangy sharpness of the former and the nutty richness of the latter. A curious crossover between Britain and Italy, Piano takes the best of both worlds and creates an eatery at once inviting and unique. Bellissim