Grill Room at the Olive Press, The

Preston has never exactly been renowned as a centre of gastronomy, so the inhabitants had much cause to celebrate, when local lad Paul Heathcote decided to open up his restaurant there. The Grill Room at the Olive Press is an Italian grill room, ristorante and enoteca with a modern Venetian feel. Located in the elegant and leafy Winckley Square, the décor blends together contemporary and antique furniture and design styles, it's an ideal setting for that all important business meeting or just to unwind with the family.

Somehow Heathcote manages to create far more originality and personal feel in a place than with other chains, so much so that you are led to think that it is an individual restaurant.

Similarly to his other outlets, his signature dishes abound and the menu offers a host of Italian food with a full range of meat, vegetarian and fish dishes. After starters of English pea pannacotta with San Danielle ham and salad of pea shoots, or bruschetta of char-grilled sardines, tomato, feta and herb salsa, expect to find pasta courses of pappardelle with duck ragu, and crab tortellini with scallop and chervil cream and buttered samphire.

 Main courses include breast of corn-fed chicken with crispy prosciutto, charred trevise and walnut pesto; Rhug Estate organic 32 oz rib of Welsh beef for two to share, and charred globe artichokes with Sicilian caponata, crisped polenta, pine nuts and twelve year old balsamic.

It used to be something of a truism that the further away from the coast you lived the less fish was eaten - no longer true, it has opened up whole new vistas here at The Grill Room; steamed fillet of sea trout with brown shrimp butter, watercress and samphire, and fillet of sea bass with baby plum tomato, rosemary and black olive ragu and sauté potatoes, all feature on the menu.

Desserts of hazelnut semi freddo with chocolate and espresso, and pannacotta with lavender and passion fruit certainly find a receptive spot and so does The Grill Room's much-loved formaggi, a selection of artisan Italian cheeses with mostarda di frutta, walnuts and Piemonte truffle honey.

Service is another high point, always very friendly and expert, rather like Paul himself, whilst the drinks list encourages experimentation, with cocktails, premium beers, spirits, regional Italian wines and extensive selection of authentic grappas and digestivos.

For further information, including how they cater for children, details of menu, images, special offers and much more, a visit to their Website is recommended.