Nolita, Hatfield

From the moment your tyres crunch across the gravelled car park of the Nolita restaurant in Hatfield, and you wander into the foyer, you realise this might be something special.

Your initial reaction is quickly confirmed when you are lead to your beautifully laid table in a room garnished with designer decor, etched glass panels, huge gilded mirrors and comforting elegance everywhere.

Music from Sinatra, Bassey and hordes of top showbiz favourites wafts you into another era, while the sparkling staff make you feel as special as they can. It's easy to imagine yourself in a top 1950's Las Vegas Hotel, except for the Hertfordshire countryside on the other side of the windows!

Take a Wine flight, from £7.00 a glass up to £1000+ a bottle, all impeccably served by the ever-so-caring staff, and drool over the ever changing menu while Canapes are bought to your table to whet your appetite.

When the delicacies start rolling up to your table, you will notice the nouveau presentation, but in generous quantities, and with any luck you'll have enough space left for some of the spectacular desserts, and perhaps the best coffee around.

This is a sister restaurant to one in Soho, and it matches or beats anything I have tried in London, Paris or Tuscany; the only spoiler being the inevitable price!

That said, they will collect and deliver you from within a five to ten mile radius free of charge, and every visit is as special as the last one!

You can find Nolita (which stands for North Of Little Italy) on the Great North Road between Old Hatfield and Potters Bar, in Hertfordshire. They have a website which provides menu information too.

Enjoy!