A cosy Italian restaurant, Orlandos offers consistently good-quality food and a warm atmosphere.

The Venue
It’s a comfort in life to know that some things remain constant, among them this long-established, friendly, family-run establishment. Opposite the gateway to Lister Park, Orlandos is a neat little Italian pizzeria which seems to have been here forever. It can be difficult to park, as parking is actually right outside the front window, unfortunately marring any view – but who needs a view when the interior is as cosy and inviting as this one.

A tiny bar is the first welcome sight that greets the eye, in the small, separate reception room, where you can enjoy a drink whilst perusing the menu, and get a tantalising view of those already happily enjoying their food. Some might say the decor is a little dated, with such retro delights as marble busts, pastel table covers and pictures of old Italy, but all this is such a part of Orlandos charm that any trendy refurb might be a disaster.

The Atmosphere
Just walking in the door is a sensory pleasure; the mouth-watering aromas of garlic, coffee, pizzas and bread fill the air and draw you in. In a way, it is form of torture if you’re ravenous, you haven’t booked, and you have to wait a while to be seated. Olandos gets extremely busy, and is a popular venue for any celebration; hence the atmosphere is always cheerful and buoyant. There’s nowhere in Orlandos where it isn’t pleasant to sit; each candle-lit table has a cosiness of its own, and the friendly, efficient staff make your visit a memorable one.

The Food
The menu is typical pizzeria fare, with the usual pastas and pizzas, but there’s a more varied selection of steaks and chicken dishes, and some interesting specials such as swordfish and sea bream. Starters range from the mountainous seafood salad, piled high with squid, mussels and prawns (£4.75) - which is substantial enough to be a main in itself - to the antipasti of cured meats and olives, which is beautifully fresh, offering at least four different types of meat.

The mains are just as spectacular. The pollo a la creme (£10.50) is a melt-in-the-mouth, butterfly chicken breast, smothered with a creamy sauce of garlic, wine and mushrooms, while the steaks (rump or sirloin, £12.95-£17.95) come with similar sauces if desired. The accompaniment of crisp, fresh vegetables and sauteed new potatoes is excellent, as are the wonderfully soft, mozzarella-topped sides of garlic ciabatta which, if preferred, can also be ordered in a pizza-style.

The Drink
Such seventies delights as Campari and Tia Maria are available from the retro reception room, and for wine-drinkers there’s a perfectly reasonable house selection, which costs £11.90 a litre (half carafe, £5.95). Those in need of fine wine should be sated by the sight of the Barolo (£29), whilst Champagne is just one pound more at £30. And, of course, no evening at Orlandos would be complete without a flaming Sambuca.

The Last Word
An affordable experience from which you will leave happy, relaxed and extremely well-fed.

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