Great Western Road is awash with restaurants and bars offering all kinds of cuisine, but even amongst this competition, Gambrino enjoys an elevated status of popularity. The Italian food on offer is extensive and adventurous, presented over a range of different menus: lunch and pre-theatre menus (lunch offers two courses for £6.95 and pre-theatre is £8.95 for two courses), a three-course weekly menu priced at £17.95, which features a superb grilled halibut, and a comprehensive à la carte menu. A daily specials menu incorporates whatever produce is in season.

The night we visited, highlights included delicious stuffed courgettes and an excellent mozzarella salad, all made from organic ingredients sourced locally from Roots and Fruits greengrocer. If you long for the idyllic coast of Italy, their perfectly seared scallop linguine is an ideal dish for sampling the finer side of Italian dining. To really sample a taste of Italy in your own back yard, opt for sausage on your pizza – it comes freshly made from renowned Italian deli, Pietro’s.

If you have room for dessert, the ‘fragole fragole’ (a strawberry delight, drenched with strawberry liqueur) is a popular choice, and what Italian meal would be complete without a fine Italian cup of coffee? Have your coffee served up any way your heart desires – maybe complement it with a choice of Italian liqueurs.