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Prezzo has been delighting diners for over eight years, and this Italian restaurant chain has since been able to expand throughout large parts of England and Scotland with some 141 outlets.

Interestingly, the company seeks to restore either impressive buildings or ones of local interest. The conversion of the Newbury library and other listed buildings, such as those in Salisbury, Romsey and Mayfair, are all welcome examples of 'new use'. Their trendy and sophisticated décor usually consists of tiled or wooden floors with delicate lights and colourful paintings, along with wooden furniture and sparkling cutlery, creating a setting that is suitable for a relaxed lunch, a family meal or an evening out with friends.

The restaurants are of particular appeal to those who like genuine Italian cuisine, and they use only the best seasonal products, many of which are imported directly from Italy. The menu includes pizza, pasta, risotto, grilled meats, fresh salads and frequently changing specials.

The freshly baked breads, like the garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, are perfect for sharing and give you adequate breathing space to order starters to follow. Crab cakes served with garlic mayonnaise or grilled goat's cheese with plum tomatoes and caramelised onions on foccacia bread with a balsamic glaze set the tone for a hearty meal. Best fun is to order an antipasto platter to share made up from seven well loved Italian nibbles.

Find pastas such as the unusual penne con salmone, with oak-roasted salmon, broccoli and fresh chillies in a red pesto and cream sauce, or firm favourites like spaghetti with meatballs, spaghetti Bolognese, and fusilli al pesto, asparagus spears with field mushrooms and roasted peppers in a basil pesto sauce.

Amongst the special pastas, the pollo mariano, seasoned chicken, pepperoni sausage, roasted peppers and fusilli in tomato sauce, is interesting and different. Italian menus would be incomplete without risotto, like tiger prawns with petits pois in a creamy saffron sauce.

Classic pizzas embrace, among a wide selection, the popular napoletana, topped with yellowfin tuna, tomato, white anchovies, capers, red onion, mozzarella and marinated olives, and the much loved quattro stagioni - pepperoni sausage, prosciutto ham, artichoke, field mushrooms, capers, marinated olives, mozzarella and tomato.

Specials could include the pollo Siciliana, char-grilled chicken breast, prosciutto ham and plum tomato slices, baked with their blend of cheese, only one example from the many tempting offerings that come out from the Prezzo kitchens.

You can accompany the food with a variety of tipples, though for many, Italian food requires Italian wines to be enjoyed to the full, ranging from house wine through Morellino di Scansano and Prosecco to liqueurs and beer, and there is espresso or fresh ground coffee to wind up an enjoyable meal, in company with a glass of grappa or sambuca.

This is Italian food at its attractive best, convincing and bringing together the traditional with the modern twist or two against a background of excellent value.

Prezzo is a lively group and opportunities to improve and update are never left on the table for long. Keep up to date with a quick click on their Website.

The name serves as a reminder of Romsey's role in the English Civil War, but England has certainly put the war behind it as the sounds of the battle on the bridge near The Cromwell Arms, between local roundheads and the King's loyalists are now replaced with clinking cutlery and sighs of contentment following a delicious meal.

The menu is a lively mélange of the pub's version of gastropub classics incorporating local produce, so the line-up includes homemade game terrine with red onion marmalade, mozzarella beef tomato salad with basil oil, and seared scallops with a shallot puree, chorizo oil and pancetta. Main courses render fresh flavours in the form of honey roast ham with two free range eggs and homemade chips, and calves' liver with mash potato, sage jus and parsnip crisps. To finish a selection of local cheeses such as Lyburn Old Winchester, Loosehanger Old Sarum and Somerset Brie are there for the pleasure of connoisseurs.

This historic building has enjoyed a variety of uses over the years being home to a women's workhouse in the early 17th century. Later it became a posting house and then in the 18th century a coaching house called "The Kings Head." In 1995 it was renamed "Bertie's" after the P.G Woodhouse character Bertie Wooster. Well situated in the centre of Romsey Bertie's offers a brisk and efficient, whilst friendly, service for lunch and dinner, with 'a la carte' added in the evenings. There is also a snacks and sandwiches option at lunchtime. The cuisine roams the world but certain dishes, like Bertie's renowned fishcakes - homemade fishcakes with a tomato herb sauce - are forever blessed, but you will also enjoy: brochettes of monkfish with a lemon and chervil dressing, or perhaps pork and herb sausages on a bed of mustard mash alongside roasted rack of lamb with figs and a sauce of ginger. Clearly this is a popular blend of food and place and expansion next door has been called into play. A spritely wine list.