Lovitaly

Combining the virtues of a family-run neighbourhood Italian restaurant with a deli, wine bar and daytime coffee spot, this cute little venue garners lots of support from readers who praise its authenticity, superb value for money and delightfully welcoming staff. Ingredients are imported direct from Italy or gleaned from the local area, presentation is spot-on and flavours are fresh. 

Among the antipasti, the 'houmous pistachio' served with super-thin Sardinian carasau bread is a winner, likewise a stunning riff on salad tricolore artistically topped with balsamic pearls in a basil leaf vessel. Pasta is also freshly made and cooked properly al dente: our tagliatelle came loaded with heaps of meaty New Forest oyster mushrooms in a creamy truffle sauce, while a bowl of unctuous rigatoni carbonara was pointed up with chunks of smoky, fatty guanciale. There are also pizzas and a choice of ‘taglieri’ platters, while mains offer the usual steaks, burgers, chicken milanese and a breaded pork sausage ‘lollipop’ with roasted red pepper sauce. 

Portions are mighty, so you might want to pass on the somewhat underwhelming desserts (tiramisu, panna cotta, chocolate mousse etc). Paninis are available at lunchtime and the place is also open for breakfast, with eggs from Fluffetts Farm on the edge of the New Forest being one of the specialities. The reasonably priced wine list kicks off with a Frappato IGP 'Roceno' from Sicily.