My husband and I decided to try Avanti recently having exhausted several other italian restaurants in the area and finding them to be less than impressive. We were surprised to find the place so busy for a wednesday night, the weather wasnt great and it seemed many others had the same idea as us and had ducked in to the restaurant to get away from the rain. We arrived toward the end of happy hour which finished at 7:30 mid-week. My husband decided to order from the happy hour -course menu and I chose something from the a la carte.

We ordered a bottle of house red wine and a bottle of San Pellegrino which was promptly brought to the table and poured for us by a pleasant young man. The house wine was a merlot and for £10.95 I was pleasantly surprised! It was flavourful and yet easy to drink - the perfect choice for a mid-week meal when trying to avoid the early morning headache at work.

I ordered the mussels cooked in chilli and tomato to start whilst my husband chose pate from the happy hour starters. They arrived promptly on warmed plates; the mussels were served in a little pot with some bread on the side. The mussels were delicious; the sauce had a nice kick without being too much and the mussels were juicy and well cooked. My husband had finished his pate before I had a chance to ask if he enjoyed it but he assured me after he had swallowed that it was 'great'. the Pate oft the day was chicken liver, and considering it was a happy hour option there was a considerable portion served with a caremalised onion chutney.

For main course I ordered a chicken dish with vegetables (im trying to be healthy) and chose the Pollo Diavola - a tomato based sauce with peppers, onions, garlic, chilli etc. The vegetables included broccoli, swede potato and carrots. There was also a choice of chips or salad. The chicken was moist and tender and too much; Io couldnt finish my portion of two large chicken breasts. My huband ordered a calzone from the happy hour menu which again, he promptly demolished. I have never been a fan of calzones but again, he assured me it was 'great' and with some coaxing elaborated to say that it was 'really tasty', 'well filled' and 'the dough was perfect'. I took his word for it.

We opted out of desserts, but my husband was reminded by the waiter that he was on the 5 course happy hour special so was entitles to a coffe, cake or ice cream so he chose the coffee and I had an espresso.

We caught a taxi home and both agreed that it was one of the best experiences of an italian restaurant wed had since moving to newcastle. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, it was great value (we paid less than £40) and we both really enjoyed our food.... we'll definitely be going again soon