Olive Press - Preston

Based in Preston's town centre in Winckley Square, facing landscaped parkland, the Olive Press is in a location that is truly beautiful throughout the year. Walking through the door, you are at once aware of the warm, relaxed atmosphere that characterises the restaurant scene in Preston.

On arrival you will find the open fire is complimented by exposed brick, distressed plaster, and muted tones of wood, creating a sense of rustic surroundings.

The blend of young, vibrant staff make this a friendly and welcoming experience. It is a great place for that family gathering, when you can let the children make their own pizza whilst you enjoy an appetiser or a starter from their extensive menu.

You can go into the Olive Press and have a great sandwich for lunch or a simple pizza or pasta as a meal - or you could really let rip and enjoy a three course dinner, including their 21 day old matured rump steak with garlic butter or pepper sauce, with wine in the evening.

So talking of starters, what's on offer? Sticky garlic chicken wings with honey, garlic and balsamic glaze makes a bracing introduction, but then so do spicy lamb and bacon meatballs. Coarse Goosnargh chicken liver pâté is served with oregano and charred ciabatta, and for those who can't wait to latch on to that fishy flavour there's deep-fried squid, king prawn, bream and whitebait with celery leaf and Romaine salad.

An Olive Press lasagne never fails to please - a simple dish but a satisfying one. Spaghetti Napoli, or carbonara with poached egg, crispy pancetta, peas and Parmesan all ring the bells too. From the oven or char grill there's a delightful whole baked sea bream stuffed with lemon, herbs and salsa Verde, or veal escalope with lemon and Italian parsley butter and globe artichokes.

The stone baked pizzas have delicacy - none of your superannuated roofing tiles here - the base is an accompaniment rather than a conversation stopper, with the customary well-loved toppings, none more so than smoked salmon and baby plum tomato with caper, rocket and sour cream.

Olive Press takes the requirements of children very seriously, and their own menu, designed with pleasure in mind, comes complete with some little puzzles to solve whilst waiting for their order to arrive. As well as making up their own pizza, Little Olives, as they tend to become for the duration, can choose from a pasta selection, sandwiches and garlic bread, burgers, or chicken, before moving in on the knickerbocker glory or banana split. Meanwhile parents and favourite uncles can contemplate a warm fig and apple strudel with candied almonds and almond ice cream.

A well balanced wine list rarely strays far from Italy and includes Thesauram Corvina, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from Veneto that is big and spicy with rich dark chocolate and blackberry flavours.

For further details, including latest deals, menus and images, their Website should prove invaluable. The menu changes twice a year - for Autumn/Winter in September and in March for Spring/Summer.