Strada

This is one of the first of this rapidly expanding Italian chain to move outside its London base where it has built an impressive reputation for good quality Italian food at affordable prices. The opening of this restaurant completes the restaurant collection within the increasingly popular Oracle shopping centre, a culinary centre for those who live in this popular part of Berkshire.

The menu provides a good choice for shoppers keen to enjoy a culinary respite from the rigours of retail therapy as well as serious diners keen to establish a new name to add to their list of favourites. Homemade breads are available; nine starters are available with three of them offered as main course options, and there are eight pasta dishes available with seven alternative main course s before you reach the dozen inviting pizzas on offer. In addition there are four salads to choose from as well as eight desserts on offer. (You can view the menu on the website before your visit, always a way to tickle the taste buds.)

There are two dining rooms, one on the shopping level and a smaller one above, affording pleasant views of the passing waters of the Kennet, as well as the bright lights of the Oracle, especially at night. The layout of the upstairs room, together with the views, will I am sure attract a large number of clients seeking a private room atmosphere, for celebrations, anniversaries and farewell parties. It will also be used to accommodate the large volumes of diners who flood the Oracle, especially at weekends, in search of just such good food at such prices with an atmosphere.

I visited the newest Strada on the first Monday after its Saturday opening, having had a quick glimpse as I passed whilst shopping during its opening day. A work colleague, Lucy, accompanied me, interested in the life of the food writer as much as the attraction of the food.

The restaurant was warm, a welcome feeling after our short walk in the freezing December air from our nearby car park. Lucy was immediately drawn to the furnishings, and how they added to the warmth of the evening. The chocolate coloured seating matching the fawn woven wall coverings, supported by some wonderful large glass vases placed throughout the restaurant containing chillies, onions and ornamental vegetables. Large red lampshades added warmth to the eye as well as complementing the remaining decoration within the restaurant.

A glass of nicely chilled Pinot Grigio gave us the opportunity to make our selections, as well as admire this brand new restaurant. We enjoyed the delights of the Aglio, a wonderful basket of freshly cooked homemade garlic and rosemary bread. This was simply wonderful; if this was available in the supermarket I would have a kitchen full of it. The bread, warm and light, was the very best of Italian bread, the light flavour of garlic more than matched by the rosemary.

Stop here! Chilled white Italian wine and fresh bread from heaven in a warm restaurant, no need for anything more! Alas I was here to review the restaurant menu on offer, not only the opening chapters so on we went.

Lucy plumped for the Insalata Di Spinici, a veritable mini mountain of baby spinach leaves, thinly sliced avocado, smoked bacon and parmesan shavings tossed with a light mustard dressing. This was one of a number of dishes available in both starter and main course size. Judging by the size of this starter the main course size would serve a family with ease. Nevertheless, this was a tasty and refreshing starter. I went for the Gamberoni, a full plate of roasted Mediterranean king prawns with garlic, chilli, lemon, Italian parsley and olive oil. Prawns, lightly roasted in their shells is one of the great pleasures of life, even though they are a touch fiddly to wrestle with before enjoying the full flavour. Large and juicy, the garlic, chilli and lemon certainly made them strong, not for the faint hearted, but well cooked, and absolutely full of flavour.

Looking a round the restaurant, almost full by 7.45pm, it was interesting to look at the reactions to the newly created surroundings, even more so to hear the positive comments about the place, many obviously destined to return with even more friends. It was at this point we both noticed the first fault of the evening. Each time the door opened there was no shelter from the cold icy air coming in from the cold December evening. Even we felt it some four or more seats away from the entrance, the more popular the restaurant the more icy blasts gained unauthorised entry to the warmth of the interior. I

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