It made a great lunch the next day which meant I had really got two meals for the price of one

Bottelino’s The Pattern Store, Penzance Drive, SN5 7JL Tel 01793 887710

I HAVE always judged my pizzas by their crust, writes Emma Dunn.

Whether it’s a restaurant or a shop bought oven number, thickness, neatness and shade of beige all play an important part in that all so important edge of the base.

And judging from my parents’ reaction when they saw the pizzas arrive on our table at Bottelino’s, I’m certainly not the only one who rates them in this way.

My mum and dad were visiting for the evening on Monday and I had brought them to the restaurant based in the former Railway Works Pattern Store, which I had heard mixed reviews of.

There were only a handful of people in the restaurant when we arrived at about 7pm, and both of the waiters by the entrance greeted us as we walked in.

The menu offered a whole host of Italian favourites, and there was also a selection of specials available.

After much deliberation about steak or pizza, I opted for the latter in a bid to put the restaurant’s Italian cooking skills to the test.

I went for the Raffaella pizza at £12.95, which included prawns, spicy sausage, mozzarella, and was topped with an egg.

My mum chose lasagne at £9.95, while my dad chose a Quattro Stagione pizza at £12.95.

After about 15 minutes, it was time for me to put my crust-judging to the test when the main courses arrived.

It was a beautiful pale golden colour with a light dusting of flour, and filled the plate.

The edges were uneven and rustic looking - it was certainly freshly made on the premises.

I was slightly worried the pale colour would mean it was chewy - but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The dough was soft and easy to tear, it was a winning dish and perfectly cooked.

The flavours combined beautifully, and my parents agreed their dishes were just as delicious.

My mum’s lasagne was sizzling as it was brought to the table and included generous helpings of cheese.

And the other pizza, which included ham, olives, mushroom, artichoke, pepper, onion, sweetcorn, mozzarella and anchovies, looked just as mouth-watering, and apparently it was.

The portions were so generous that I was defeated by my pizza at the half way mark.

If anything though it worked in my favour as the waiter was more than happy to put it in a box for me to take home.

It made a great lunch the next day, which meant I had really got two meals for the price of one.

Looking back on the meal. I couldn’t help but feel the restaurant lacked a bit of atmosphere because it was so quiet and such a large premises. To be fair though it was a Monday night, and we certainly weren’t the only diners enjoying their meals.

With great pizzas (and great crusts) on offer and friendly waiting staff, I will be sure to return to the restaurant on a Friday or Saturday night to soak up the full Bottelino’s atmosphere.

Our bill, which came to £54.60, also included two orange juices (£2.25 each) two bottled beers (£3.50 each), one tea (£1.75) and two coffees (£2.75 each).