JUST for a change we decided to go for a taste of little Italy just down the road in Penistone.

We resisted the temptation to call in at our favourite Indian restaurant, Taste of India, turned right at the bridge and headed a few hundred yards up the Thurlstone Road, turning left, then left again into the Ti Amo car park.

Thursday night and trade was brisk.

It was a raw, windy evening, but the stone cottage that houses Ti Amo was warm and welcoming.

We instantly agreed that we liked the feel of the place.

We had booked a table for two and were welcomed by joint owner Tina in the bar area downstairs and ordered drinks – a glass of white wine and a beer for me.

We sat at a table by the window and huddled round a radiator browsing through the extensive menu.

Decisions, decisions ...

For starters, I liked the sound of the Funghi Giganti, flat mushrooms, oven baked with dolcelatte cheese, parma ham, topped with parmesan shavings, Carol went for the Funghi Aglio – mushrooms cooked in a white wine sauce, garlic, butter and fresh parsley.

For mains we agreed to agree that the Coda di Rospo – grilled monkfish cooked with north region prawns, pernod, cream and saffron was the order of the day.

Pleased with our selections we were ushered upstairs into the main restaurant area and took up our table for two.

Tina came to take our orders.

As Carol was about to recite our pre-determined choices, Tina then told us about that evening’s specials dishes and suddenly it was decision time all over again.

Who could resist the temptation of homemade salmon and halibut fishcakes with a delicate red onion and green salad and chilli dip?

Not I.