On a sunny but chilly Friday, I headed to Mennato’s to try their lunchtime deal. Offering three courses for £7.95, it sounded likely to meet the needs of my midday appetite.

The bistro bar of Mamma Roma, the interior shows a little wear and probably isn’t too far off needing a fresh lick of paint, but is homely, warm and on this day glorious sun-kissed.

The service was warmly welcoming. I was seated at the window and left to contemplate the menu. It offered a good selection of Italian classics from which I chose the baked egg to start, then followed with a mushroom pizza.

The starter soon arrived looking volcanically hot. When I’d waited as long as I could for it to slightly cool, I tucked in. It proved an enjoyably gooey mess, with the accompanying garlic bread proving handy for mopping things up.

The pizza was a notch better with a lovely pillowy base generously topped with mushrooms. It was very tasty stuff and hit the spot nicely.

As with some restaurants of this type (ones that have been around a while, doing a consistent and unshowy job), it was populated entirely by returning customers. It’s certainly good enough, and keenly enough priced, to build a fresh audience so I hope it succeeds in doing that.

So overall, Mennato’s served me two tasty courses, and pretty decent coffee in lieu of dessert, for a very affordable price. It could use a little spruce up, at some stage, but otherwise it continues to do a fine job 20 years after it first opened its doors. I look forward to visiting again.

Scores
Blythe scores Mennato’s
4/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3.5/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 13.5/20

I ate: uovo alla Fiorentina; pizza

I drank: water, coffee

I wore: www.tieclub.co.uk

Total bill: £7.95