La Passione, New Road, Chippenham

Open seven days a week 12-2.30pm, 5-11pm

No parking

It has been years since Chippenham had an Italian restaurant other than the usual chains, so the opening of the Italian-run La Passione last week was very welcome.

It is especially pleasing to see the prominent former Little George Hotel used as a restaurant again, as it has lain empty since the Bridge Brasserie shut in September.

Judging by the number of people inside, I was not alone in this thought.

We didn't have to wait long, despite it being busy; the Italian staff - a nice touch - were all attentive.

It is difficult to get the decor right in such a large space, and the cavernous nature was amplified rather than made cosy by the new neutral coffee, chocolate and vanilla walls, left bare.

I had a taste for a creamy mushroom tagliatelle, but this wasn't on the very meat heavy menu, written in Italian and English. We both opted for the pizza vegetariana, which doesn't need to be translated.

It was enormous, and very cheesy. I would have preferred it crispier with a richer tomato base, but there were no complaints from my partner Andy, who wolfed his down and then helped me with mine.

As they also do takeaways, getting a box was not a problem. Had I had room, it would have been hard to choose between the tempting authentic Italian sweets. Andy said his profiteroles were melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Along with the bill came a free digestive - a shot of limoncillo, its conflicting sweet and sharp notes as refreshing as an espresso.

Between midday and 2.30pm, any pizza or pasta costs £6.50.