Rawtenstall: Nino's

3:37pm Monday 28th January 2008

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PAYING a visit to Nino's and not sampling one of their fillet steaks would be like going to a theme park as the nominated bag holder watching on as everyone else enjoys the rides.

They may be the most expensive thing on the menu at £16 a dish but the pieces of beef are more than generous and cooked to perfection.

I was lucky enough to have chosen a fillet with dolcelatte cheese and parma ham in a red wine sauce.

It came with roast potatoes, fresh mixed vegetables and the most delicious cauliflower cheese.

It's fair to say onlookers were jealous. My friend, always the last to choose her meal, was overjoyed when the waiter, who spotted her dilemma, offered to serve her with a portion of two meals she could not choose between.

So she enjoyed pasta puttanesca and a duck and mushroom tagliatelle dish in a creamy pesto sauce - two for the price of one!

And its not just the food that makes Nino's special.

The restaurant itself just has a great feel to it.

Even on a weekday night it is buzzing all evening.

It's been years since I last dined at Nino's and the recent extension has made a remarkable difference to the place. Whereas before I remember huddling in the entrance waiting to be taken to your table, nowadays there is a large bar area with leather booths for a glass of wine while you wait.

And the icing on the cake is a piano placed in the corner providing the theme tune to your evening - sadly the pianist only works at weekends.

It's just a shame their policy means you cannot book for tables of fewer than four - which could put you off if eating out for a special occasion.

Verdict

Excellent Italian food and a great atmosphere