Pinocchio's Restaurant

Pinocchio's has the reputation for being a lively Italian restaurant serving some of the best food of its kind, in the centre of Norwich. The décor is in keeping, with wood floors and rugs, bright wallcoverings and plenty of light. The menu covers a wide range and by custom kicks off with bread and olives, perhaps ciabatta with mixed olives or tapenade.

From amongst the starters the roast red onion and teleggio cheese tart, lightly anointed with pesto and rocket makes good reading, or if something from the sea is more to your liking take a look at the grilled peppers with marinated seafood and homemade focaccia.

The grilled chump of lamb with Mediterranean vegetables and crushed chickpeas is flavoured with basil and chilli, the Sicilian style crispy duck with creamy mash demonstrates a nice meeting of culinary minds and if you close your eyes and clear the mind of clutter as you enjoy the slow-cooked wild boar, delicately flavoured with thyme, juniper and white wine, you could so easily be in Tuscany. Of course, the pizzas and pastas are there - try a margherita pizza or the tagliatelle carbonara with its wonderful blend of tastes, or the more delicate fluted pasta strips, with baby spinach, smoked salmon and a hint of nutmeg and lemon.

Sticky puddings are to Italian cooking what the Vatican is to Rome, and at Pinocchio's no prisoners are taken. Chocolate and amaretto cheesecake, tiramisu and panna cotta with mixed berries can only be eclipsed by a tartufo chocolate ice cream bombe, followed by the usual quality coffee at which the Italians so often excel. If the timing is right don't miss out on their special offer of any main pasta course with a mixed leaf salad and a glass of house wine of your choice, for just £6.95 from 5-7.30 and 10-11pm every day.