Location: First Floor, The Walk,  19-23 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 2HG

Web site: http://www.mariemontirestaurant.co.uk/Home.php

Telephone number: 0118 950 0070

Date of visit: 30 January 2010

Approx. cost per head: £20

Comments on wine list/beer: A reasonable selection of mid priced red and white wines, alongside several more expensive vintages.

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Review:

Reading and the surrounding area is home to a selection of forgettable Italian restaurants. Mari e Monti is thankfully not one of these.

Ideally located in Kings Walk, just a minute’s walk from the Oracle Riverside, the restaurant enjoys a secluded and relaxing setting – ideal for a quiet or romantic meal.

The service, unlike many Italian restaurants in particular, offers the perfect combination of attentiveness and charm. And the restaurant itself is traditionally but very tastefully designed and decorated.

The a la carte menu offers a wide range of delights, and one of the best vegetarian selections in the town. The rigatoni is perhaps the pick of the pasta dishes whilst the pan-fried wild boar is arguably the best option meat-wise. A main course is priced between £7-£22, with starters averaging £6-7.

The only slight criticism one might level at Mari e Monti is the limited and slightly unadventurous desert menu. That said deserts are delicious and well priced (average £4-5).

If you’re looking for a mid priced meal, probably for two, good service and good food then you’d be hard pushed to find better.

Dave Lamont