THINK Italian, think stylish, think big. No, I'm not talking about Francesco Totti - AS Roma's answer to David Beckham - but Swindon's newest restaurant, Bottelino's.

At least I think it's the town's most recent, but as new restaurants seem to be opening on an almost weekly basis at the moment (and long may it continue), I'm not sure.

Anyway, it's only been open a couple of weeks in what was the old Pattern Store bar next to the Outlet Village.

And although the Pattern Store sign was still on the side of the building when we visited, from the entrance and inside it was all change.

Previously it was a bit dark and dingy inside but after what appears to have been a complete refurbishment, it's now light, bright, modern and stylish.

It's also huge. We were told it can comfortably fit in as many as 300 customers.

When we visited on a Thursday lunchtime there were considerably fewer than that - the (very friendly and helpful) waiters hovering about outnumbered the diners.

But bookings for Christmas are already picking up, with the classy and spacious surroundings likely to make it a popular spot for parties.

The food is typical Italian restaurant fare, with plenty of pizzas (ranging in price from £7.25 to £10.95) and pasta dishes (£7.75 to £9.65) and a selection of fish and meat dishes (£11.45 to £16.95).

It's not cheap but it's not bad value. However, I do have a problem with restaurants charging for bread and waiters asking if you want it before you've had time to study the menu properly.

That gripe aside, we were more than happy with both the food and service.

We began our meal with the lowest and highest priced starters - a tasty minestrone soup (£3.45) and antipasto misto (£8.75), which included cold meats, egg mayonnaise and prawns.

Then it was on to tortellini alla Bottelino (£8.95) - pasta with a cheese and spinach filling in a tomato, cream and parmesan sauce, and fettuccini alla marinara (£9.65).

These were excellent value because there is a good lunchtime deal (noon to 2pm Monday to Saturday) of any pizza or pasta dish at £4.95.

My friend's tortellini was nice enough but it was my fettuccini which was the star of the show - it had a great garlicky tomato sauce with plenty of seafood.

We rounded off with a couple of coffees but from the dessert choices we could have picked Italian ice cream home-made on the premises daily.

Not only does Bottelino's have its own in-house ice cream parlour but also there is a delicatessen which sells Italian products.

In true Continental style it aims to be family friendly, and it also has an open kitchen, so you can watch your food being cooked.

Just like Totti it looks like it's capable of scoring a winner.

Bottelino's

The Pattern Store, Penzance Drive, Swindon SN2 2BA

Hours: Monday to Friday, noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm (last orders); Saturday, noon to 11pm; Sunday, noon to 9pm

Website: www.bottelino.co.uk

Telephone 01793 887710