Villa Italia, Belfast

It must be easily twenty years since we were last in the very well established Villa Italia restaurant in University Road, Belfast. The Dowager, my aunt and I arrived by taxi at five thirty and made our way through the dining-room, to the lift which took us to the first-floor dining-room. The restaurant seemed busy, which doesn't surprise me given its popularity with the good citizens of Belfast.

The occasion was my uncle's eightieth birthday bash and there were sixteen of us, ranging from great-aunts, uncles and aunts and cousins. I thought my uncle would enjoy (the Hon) Michael Faulkner's book about life on Islandmore in Strangford Lough, the Blue Cabin, so I gift-wrapped it with a card.
I think most of the youngsters had pizzas; I opted for Maiale Mostardo, medallions of pork fillet in a tangy mustard sauce with garlic potatoes and a small side dish of vegetables, which was really delicious and cost £10.95. The Dowager had Ravioli Porcini, ravioli filled with mushroom in a creamy tomato sauce. It cost £8.95 and was very tasty too. My aunt had Spaghetti Carbonara at £7.95. Pudding was Torta Di Formaggio Al Limone, lemon cheesecake. It was good enough and cost £4.15.

We drank liberal amounts of red wine and my sore head this morning is testament to that!

We must have been there for four hours, having enjoyed ourselves so much. A memorable evening and I liked Villa Italia: a cosy ambiance.

Our taxi, Valuecabs, arrived within minutes of my ringing them, the taxi was very clean and the driver courteous. It was metered too. A good service, on Sunday evening at any rate.