Vivaldi Restaurant, Singleton Street, Swansea

9th June 2011.

my wife has been on at me for some time to try this restaurant which I remember as being a grotty caff for many years, hence my reluctance. It's had a make-over and wow were we blown away!?!

The very small restaurant - maybe 40 covers - had only a couple of tables occupied but we were warmly welcomed by a humourous young italian who entertained us throughout the evening without being in-your-face. The decor is subtle with soft mooted tones of brown and cream.

Her huge starter of a trio of toasted italian bread topped with fresh home made pesto, finely chopped tomatoe with herbs and onion and another with pate were all delicious. My ample serving of mushrooms in a tomatoe sauce spiked with chilli equally good and generous. It was good to be able to actually taste the mushrooms. All dishes were minimally seasoned showing the chef's trust in his quality ingredients.

Main courses were big juicy fresh prawns in another rich tomatoe sauce with a side dish of vegetables for me, hers was a seafood mix including clams, squid, plump succulent mussles with good speghetti and some squid ink black spaghetti. Both amazing!

We finnished off with a Tiramisu (each!). As someone who normally has a small appettite this was some feat and a complement to the chef!

Wonderful food and sparkling service (we even discussed the merits of Italian opera!). Can't wait to go back! Grazi!

Two starters, two main courses and two delicious deserts and two large glasses of red wine, with tip, £60.