Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant

Well, the first impression was good. Giuseppe's, which has been a Spar supermarket and then the Jules Verne restaurant in the past, looks very clean and tidy from the outside. Inside, the decor is also modern and tasteful.

There are wooden floors, with contemporary chairs, good lighting and tasteful paintings.

There is a small bar area to the left as you walk inside and then the main dining room to the right. There is also a 30-seat function room upstairs.

It was Friday night and there was a pleasant atmosphere, with traditional Italian music playing softly in the background.

We had booked a table for two and were swiftly shown to our seats.

The choice on the menu was good and there were around 10 specials on the blackboard.

There were 18 starters to choose from, ranging in price from £2.20 for garlic bread to £5.20 for Camembert fritti - deep fried camembert with cranberry sauce.

We chose the garlic bread with tomato, £2.60, and the funghi all'aglio, £3.95. The latter was mushrooms in garlic and white wine. The vegetables tasted fresh and juicy and the sauce was delicious.

The garlic bread was also a hit. It was thin based and crispy, just how we like it.

Other starters we could have chosen included Calmari, £4.50, which was deep fried squid rings served with tartare sauce, Alette di pollo, £4.20, which was spicy chicken wings, and Melanzane alla parmigiana, £4.50, which was aubergine topped with tomato, garlic and cheese.

The main courses are split into three sections: pizza, pasta and chicken and steak dishes.

Pizzas ranged from £5.50 for a margherita to £6.20 for a fiorentina (with spinach and egg) and £6.50 for a Calzone pizza (with tomato, ham, cheese, spicy salame and mushrooms).

As you would expect, there were plenty of pasta dishes to choose from. Fifteen in fact.

You could choose from Penne alla matriciana, £5.95, which was short pasta tubes with white wine, bacon and onions in a tomato sauce, spaghetti marinara, £5.95, which was spaghetti tossed in virgin oil and mixed seafood salad, and tagliolini al limone, £6.50, which was long strips of pasta with cream, lemon and roasted almonds.

There were seven dishes featuring chicken breast, including Pollo messicana, which was served with fresh cherry tomatoes, spring onions, fresh basil and olive oil. They all cost £10.50.

You could also choose Anetra al Barolo con pesche al madeira, £13.95, which was breast of duck cooked with Barolo wine, garlic, herbs, madeira and peaches, veal at £12.95 or fillet, £13.95, and sirloin, £12.50, steaks served with various sauces.

I opted for the pollo frances, £10.50, which was chicken breast cooked with bacon, mushrooms, cream, white wine and mustard.

The chicken tasted very fresh and the sauce was delicious with a strong mustard flavour. There were plenty of mushrooms and the dish was also served with potatoes, broccoli and carrots.

My partner chose the pollo ai funghi, £10.50, which was chicken breast cooked with mushrooms, garlic, white wine, cream and herbs.

It had a lighter, but still very likeable taste than my dish and my partner said it was also very good.

Next, we chose a dessert. There was a good range of sweets and ice creams, mostly priced at £3.20.

My partner chose the chocolate fudge cake, £3.20, which was served with cream and was given the thumbs up.

I opted for an Italian sweet, £3.70, which was chocolate ice cream served with a spirit. I chose whiskey and it was surprisingly good. An excellent end to a good meal.

The bill, including two drinks, came to £38.85. It is a little pricey, but the quality of the food was very good.

The service was also first rate, delivered with a friendly, chatty style.

We enjoyed our visit to Giuseppe's very much and yes, it was worth the wait.

Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant, 1-3 Market Street, Adlington. Tel: 01257 475275.

Open Tues-Thurs 12pm-2pm and 6pm-10pm, Fri 12pm-2pm and 5.30pm-11pm, Sat 5.30pm-11pm and Sunday 1pm-9pm.

Star rating ****