THE trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again.

This splendid sentiment is attributed to George Miller (presumably the Australian Mad Max film producer/director), who as far as I’m aware has not eaten at La Dolce Vita in Scissett.

My wife and I had that pleasure last week and we empathise with Miller’s appraisal.

I have to admit La Dolce Vita took us by surprise, bringing as it does a warm touch of the Mediterranean to a former Methodist chapel on the Wakefield Road.

We had booked a meal for eight, but arrived early. Up the stone steps, the entrance to the restaurant is unspectacular, sort of what you would expect from a Methodist hall, and at first glance I wondered if they were open.

But we were then greeted by a friendly waiter, who ushered us into a large open-plan dining room with a spacious bar/reception area and found us a table.

The dining area is decorated in minimalistic shades of magnolia, there were claret cloths under the glass table tops and comfortable magnolia chairs. The large windows are decked with matching claret blinds and the floor has large magnolia speckled tiles.

Subtle, subdued spotlighting illuminates the tables from the lowered ceiling, creating an impressive, atmospheric aura and the background music was distinctively Italian.

The cooking area has a large open hatch and diners can watch the chefs in culinary action, at work on their creations. In front of the hatch are display refrigerators containing their sweets, ices and other delicacies.

Our personable waiter Nick, who we later learned is Albanian, brought us drinks from the well stocked bar, while we pondered our orders from the extensive menu.

In the meantime we were delivered a wooden tray carrying a bowl of fine balsamic vinegar and bread slices. We asked for olives and a large dish of tasty black and green varieties was produced.

It was more than a coincidence that from the wide range of Antipasti on the menu we both opted for the Torre di Salmone – smoked salmon and Atlantic prawns layered with red peppers and Marie rose sauce. The portions were hugely generous and the combination of seafood, vegetables and green salad base is a taste sensation.