In 1988 when Carlo and Heather Bignami stepped into Castle Douglas' culinary scene serving inventive Italian cuisine, it was a small family-run business with a mission to help diners feel comfortable and relaxed whilst enjoying their meal. Today, it still remains a small place, but has certainly won the hearts of locals and tourists alike.

The menu is an expression of Carlo's love for seasonal produce with mussels and baked sea bass being a speciality. Starters of smoked salmon and prawns topped with Marie Rose sauce, Parma ham with melon and spicy mushrooms strike a familiar note, and so do appealing pasta courses of fettucine con salsiccia with Italian sausage, tomato and onions, and lasagne al forno. Seafood is given due respect with scampi thermidor cooked in an onion, garlic, white wine, mustard, cream and cheese sauce, while meat lovers could try the fillet steak in an aromatic Marsala wine sauce, topped with gorgonzola.

Please note that they do not accept bookings by e-mail.