Since receiving a major makeover and rebrand this year, the 200-year-old venue on Leamington's Clarendon Street - now renamed Tavola - has become a stylish restaurant inspired by the Italian surrealist painters of the 1920's.

Previously known as 44 Café, the business owned by Rob Singleton has had a new lease of life since reopening in May, with its comfortable surroundings matched by its equally enjoyable food.

The menu - inspired by Tuscan executive chef Martin Serafino - is packed with Italian classics, bringing a combination of "tradition and innovation".

There is also an equally extensive drinks and cocktail menu, which is where we started our meal earlier this month.

A particular favourite of mine, I started with a pint of the Windmill Hill Brewery's session IPA - further thoughts on which can be found here. 

Meanwhile my partner had a Frozen Bubblegum Daiquiri. Personally I was sceptical of this, but I was soon proved wrong as the crushed slushy ice blended drink was very refreshing and not the pure sugar I had envisioned. We were even treated to an extra glass as the team behind the bar had made too much!

Moving onto food we started with portions of the calamari fritti and the chicken parmigiana to share.

The former - baby squid and courgette deep fried in a delicate batter - was a lovely mix of salty and crunchy. Paired with the garlic aioli, it did not last long.

Meanwhile the very tender buttermilk chicken covered in lots of melted mozzarella and accompanied by a tomato sauce packed with herbs, was equally enjoyable.

For our main courses I chose the Prosciutto Crudo pizza which did not disappoint. The thin, crispy Romano base was a very rich San Marzano tomato sauce, lots of smooth and silky fior di latte mozzarella as well as a generous helping of prosciutto and rocket. I would heartily recommend.

On the other side of the table the Rigatoni Nduja e Stracciatella was ordered. 

Packed with spicy nduja sausage and topped with bubbling Italian cream cheese, it was a hearty, rich and flavoursome bowl of pasta.

To finish things off, we opted for something colder, ordering the affogato which was complete with a silky smooth shot of espresso, a flavoursome scoop of vanilla ice cream and a rather delightful amaretto biscuit. 

This was ordered alongside a bowl of wild cherry and chocolate ice cream, the former of which was particularly enjoyable; a lovely balance of tart and sweet.

Fantastic food, with great service and in charming surroundings - what's not to like.

Find out more here.