Da Maria Italian Restaurant

65 Seabourne Road, Southbourne, Dorset BH5 2HD. Tel: 01202 427 287

I've been a few times now for when I just want to chow down on some Italian pasta. Some people have said it is more quantity over quality. It is fair to say that I haven't finished my last two meals as you do get a lot and it is homely cooking.

This isn't Prezzo or ASK and I like that.

<old review for when it was called Salvatore's>

OK, the surrounding area near the restaurant may not be the most salubrious and stepping inside is like a timewarp to the 70s but I have heard a couple of people say that putting all that aside the food is good and great value.

Getting there on a Saturday night, albeit it a rather cold one due to unusual snowy spells recently, there were about 4 tables of couple already there. Small but cosy.

I went for the escargot. Not had them since Barcelona. I got 6 shells and a couple of pieces of garlic bread. They tasted like really earthy mushrooms. Next time I will go for the fish soup that Angela got. Very tasty and absolutely packed full and thick of tiny morsels of fish.

I had the veal alla salvatore, which had mozzarella, parma ham and tomato on top in a white wine sauce. It came with a proper bowl of salad instead of a sad side splash of leaves. Very happy with mine. Ange went for the chicken cacciatora. She enjoyed it but be aware that it is half a chicken and was way too much for her. Came with plenty of veg as well.

We saw another table receive their fillet steak and that looks really nice.

Ange went for the apple pie with ice cream and the pie was just too big after the meal. Could have easily shared but everyone else was full up.

This is good, honest, traditional family run restaurant food, it seems. No glitz and pretensions.

Glad we went and heeded the recommendations that a couple of friends made.

I fancy giving the pasta and pizza a try next time.

One thing I picked up on was that the white wine was served freezing cold. It actually hurt my teeth.

<Update> We went back the weekend after as I just had the taste for pizza and pasta. I had the spaghetti carbonara as a small starter and that was good and came piping hot. I had the Pizza Salvatore. I was hoping for a nice thin crispy base but they do the doughy version but nothing as ridiculous as those bread-like deep pan things. Nice and crusty around the edges though and loads of topping.

I was all a bit too "carb-ed" out after that lot but enjoyed it all accompanied by a half bottle of house red.

Angela had the antipasto starter and that had a good range of sliced meats, boiled egg and pickle. She then had the lasagna. A bit too much sauce for my liking but I didn't get to taste it as I had my own personal battle of the bulge going on. It got a thumbs up anyway but she too struggled as it was a good sized portion.

</update>

Been there twice and I think we will continue this trend of trying local restaurants within walking distance next.