I decided to go for a European theme this week in my choice of restaurant review.

What better way of showing our continental cousins that, post-Brexit, we may be heading out of the EU, but that doesn't mean we're turning our backs on Europe? So my husband, my bestie and I headed to Millom for a mid-week Italian meal.

Millom's sole Italian restaurant, Da Vinci, is housed in the former County Hotel, a somewhat austere building in the town's not-exactly-bustling-at-7.30pm square. Millom has many qualities but I doubt it's going to be twinned with Florence or Naples any time soon.

We headed inside and practically crashed into the puddings cabinet which for some reason is directly inside the front door. Slightly odd to walk into a place and immediately start dithering between tiramisu and cheesecake, but then the Italians are nothing if not unconventional.

We were shown into a bar-cum-waiting room to peruse the menus. An odd room, overstuffed with green leatherette three-piece suites and Chesterfield-style sofas. Part dental surgery waiting room circa 1982, part DFS showroom. I'm not entirely sure that was quite the ambience its designers had intended to create. No matter, it was a comfortable enough place to while away our time having a pre-dinner drink and a shufty of the menu.

The friendly waitress presently showed us through to the restaurant area, which was surprisingly busy for a midweek evening. We had expected it to be relatively quiet - but the place was buzzing. I did a quick headcount and, heck, there were nearly as many customers as Jeremy Corbyn has in his shadow cabinet.

For my starter I had chosen gamberoni con vodka - king pawns tossed in chilli and garlic, flambéed in vodka and served on a crouton. Delicious. Juicy prawns, a real kick from the vodka and a lovely crunchy crouton. Yummy.

My mate Sarah went for prosciutto with mixed leaves, warm peppers and mozzarella, while Gordon chose calamari in a chilli, tomato and herb sauce.

Both declared their dishes excellent: good quality ingredients treated with due respect. Three empty plates greeted the waitress.

Sarah and I were in pasta mood and went for penne with salmon and prawns (Sarah) and lasagne (me). Gordon chose pollo romana - chicken breast in garlic and white wine for £13.95. Sarah's and my pasta dishes were both in the £9 region but qualified for the three-course for £16.95 deal.

Gordon's chicken came with roast potatoes and nicely al dente vegetables. My lasagne was meaty and firm, with plenty of pasta. A basic but crisp and fresh side salad added to it. Very good.

Sarah's pasta dish was the least successful. The penne was undercooked and the prawns weren't great - I've seen bigger Morecambe Bay shrimps. But the sauce was delicious, which made up for the less than perfect pasta and prawns.

At this point, I feel obliged to give Da Vinci a good ticking off for its toilets. There is a disabled loo just off the main restaurant. But practically against the door is a dining table and chairs. Should a disabled customer wish to use it, a furniture and customer moving operation would have to be mounted. Not good. The main loos have so little legroom that it's like being on a plane. I was far from impressed and can see no reason at all for such cramped cubicles, especially given that the restaurant occupies such a very large building.

Back in the restaurant, it was time for pud. We'd already surveyed the offerings upon arrival. Gordon had a fabulous tiramisu - it really was top notch, while Sarah had a very good creme brûlée, with a gratifyingly crunchy top and smooth as silk creme.

We left feeling we'd had a very good and authentic Italian meal, served by genuinely friendly people.

Da Vinci's is a real asset for Millom and it's a restaurant I shall be more than happy to return to.

Some of the surroundings might jar - although the restaurant itself has a very good atmosphere - and the loos annoyed me. But on the whole, this is an absolutely smashing place.

LOUISE ALLONBY

Food 4

Service 4

Atmosphere 3

Value 4

Pros

Authentically Italian

Friendly service

Town centre location

Cons

Cramped loos

Bar lounge a bit odd