For a great value, top quality Italian experience, Pani's is the place to go.

The Venue
Situated on High Bridge, nestled between Pilgrim Street on one side and Grey Street on the other, Pani's is positioned perfectly for access to the Theatre Royal and only a short walk to some excellent bars.

As you walk into the restaurant, the front section is small and feels like a typical Italian cafe, with the smell of fine coffees and a tempting range of cakes and desserts on display. Walk past the bar and the tardis-like restaurant opens out into a large area with small tables – this is where the Pani's experience begins.

The People
The restaurant is buzzing, with barely any free tables. The crowd is mixed and there's families with small children, young couples sharing garlic bread and older parties merely enjoying the atmosphere. Pani's is a business run by a family of brothers and sisters, who not only give you great authentic food, but also bring you the great authentic Italian welcome too.

The Food
The food is excellent and fantastic value. There is something to suit every taste, appetite and budget. Two starters that stand out from the menu are the gambaredda (prawns pan-fried with spring onion, mushrooms, chilli and white wine) and sacchetti vegelariani (filo pastry filled with mozzarella and spinach, served with a tomato and basil sauce).

The gambredda dish (£4.75) is a delight and the chilli doesn't overpower the other ingredients. The sacchetti vegelariani (£4.25) offers a light but tasty starter. For main course, the pollo novidadi (chicken pan-fried with crunchy vegetables, chilli, garlic and balsamic vinegar) and pollo cordolin muregu (chicken breast with wild porcini mushrooms, olives, Marsala and cream), sound too good to resist.

The pollo novidadi again manages to get the balance of chilli spot on, and the dish is very tasty without being overpowering. The pollo cordolin muregu is rich and shows what great dishes can be produced with imagination and skill. At £9.95 and £9.75 respectively, the value is outstanding.

The Drinks
A bottle of Chardonnay at £12.95 and bottles of Peroni at £2.35 a pop show Pani's dedication to value for money. The coffee at Pani's gives you a jolt to the system and is a great blend.

The Last Word
Pani's offers something that not everywhere else can - a great value meal, made with care and pride, and served by a family who clearly enjoy what they do. The Pani's experience is certainly worth trying and once you do, you will keep going back again and again.

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