Step in to La Cantina 44 and you are immediately enveloped by the casual atmosphere and the sight of people having a good time there will surely make you feel at ease. The dining area may be small, almost packed during busy times, but that only adds to the ambience of the place.

The menu is extensive and covers all bases of Italian-Mediterranean cuisine, so there could be the classic minestrone, chicken liver pâté or baked baby mushrooms in a creamy garlic sauce for starters. Main courses include beef stroganoff, slices of honey glazed duck breast and medallions of pork fillet wrapped in Parma ham.

If pizza and pasta is your idea of comfort food then there's plenty happening here; spaghetti tossed with New Zealand mussels and prosciutto and funghi. Little diners have their own dedicated menu and those who pop in early in the evening could avail themselves of a good value fixed price selection.