Pucci Restaurant, Walsall

Walking into Pucci Restaurant in Walsall, I was transported back to Crete where I had been on a summer holiday.

Nestled within Lyndon House Hotel, it is a world away from the many chain pubs in the town centre.

I visited with my boyfriend Stuart on a Tuesday night and for most of our meal we were the only diners.

The restaurant is lit by twinkling fairy lights and candles. As we looked around we agreed how lovely our surroundings were.

There were two waiters, both smartly dressed, pleasant and polite, one of which led us to a table next to a warm radiator, which I was pleased about as it was cold outside.

Once seated we began to look through the menus, including a list of specials, of both starters and main dishes. A waiter arrived to take our drinks order and Stu asked what beer they had and was told Stella Artois, by the bottle.

Disappointed by the limited choice, he ordered what was offered and I asked for a regular fresh orange juice.

For starters Stu chose meatballs in a tomato and chilli sauce and I had garlic bread with pesto, both £5.95.

For a main course, he went for chicken breast oven baked with sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella and I opted for chicken breast cooked in a red wine sauce and topped with mushrooms. Each of the meals cost £12.95.

The starters arrived quickly and I was pleasantly surprised to see my garlic bread was similar to a thin pizza, rather than being a baguette.

Stu's four or five meatballs in sauce were tasty, as was my garlic bread, although there was too much oil on the underneath of the base.

We did not have to wait long for the main courses to arrive. Both chicken breasts were served with two new potatoes, salad and rice.

The chicken was thinly cut and the portions were small considering they had cost nearly £13 each. To be brutally honest the food was fine but nothing special. It was nicely presented but did not make you want to recommend it to your friends.

During the meal Stu ordered another bottle of Stella but I had just the one glass of orange juice throughout. The bill came to £48.40. To sum up, the surroundings were magical, the service was good but the food was average and overpriced.

Lyndsey Hunt

Upper Rushall Street, Walsall, Tel: 01922 638784