Comments: Given the previous negative review and the fact that the charming Mariano has mysteriously left the business, my wife and I were apprehensive that the restaurant might have deteriorated.  Far from it!  The food and service were up to the usual standard and we had the impression that the portions were bigger than before.
We chose the 3-course Specials Menu (available Tuesday - Thursday evenings) which is great value at £16.95. 

Italian bread sticks and bread for dipping in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar kept us going while waiting for the first course. This was penne with a tomato and chilli sauce, very tasty and not too spicy.  The main course was a beautiful cod fillet served with a sauce and good selection of vegetables, nicely cooked and presented. Dessert was a delicious almond gateau. The deal included coffee (with chocolates) and a bottle of excellent rosé wine. Complimentary limoncello was brought with the bill but that was perhaps because I mentioned it was a special occasion.

The restaurant was busy and service was a little slow but, as we wanted a leisurely evening, that suited us perfectly. If one had called in en route to somewhere, it might have seemed frustratingly slow.

In conclusion, it was an excellent evening and remarkable value at £33.90.  Obviously a similar meal will cost a good deal more at the weekend as the special menu is not available then.

EDITOR COMMENT 31.10.09: The restaurant has now ceased trading - a great pity!

EDITOR COMMENT: TASTE OF ITALY TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS FOR A SHORT TIME.

Comments: Having booked our staff Christmas do here the previous year and having had a wonderful time with excellent food and entertainment, we again booked the restaurant for a family function. We were delighted with the service and food yet again. A couple of rooms were also booked for my relatives and they were pristine, welcoming and extremely comfortable. Many thanks to Nicola and Matt for their impeccable attention to detail and warm welcome. Would recommend you to anyone.

Comments: We were given a very warm and friendly greeting by both Mariano and Gareth. It was obvious that, since we were there last, the restaurant had recently undergone a complete refurbishment which had been done very tastefully. The background music and general ambiance and the waft of the scent from the other meals made you feel as if you were in Italy. Mariano certainly knows his wines and was able to give a detailed knowledge of each wine. Bread sticks and olives and fresh bread were readily available whilst we chose from an extensive menu. At the point of ordering Mariano gave an excellent description of the options; he also said that if we wanted less or more garlic or less or more tomato in the dishes, then the Chef would oblige. The starters were excellent, perhaps if anything slightly on the small size, but absolutely packed with flavour and fragrance. We were given plenty of time to finish these before the plates were taken and again there was a decent time delay before the main course arrived. In true Italian style nothing was hurried. The main course was exquisite; the fish was cooked to perfection, as was the veal. Again if anything, the portions were slightly small, but punched larger than their size with flavour. There was an excellent choice for a sweet which was excellently presented when brought to the table. The meals as far as taste and quality are concerned are stunning and for that alone this restaurant is well worth a visit. Mariano is attentive throughout the evening. My only slight concern was perhaps the over-attentiveness of the under-waiter who kept asking if everything was ok too many times. This restaurant deserves every success and we will certainly keep up our patronage.

Comments: This was the first time my wife and I have visited this recently re-opened restaurant (formerly Gemelli's).  It advertises itself as offering Sicilian and traditional Italian cuisine and retains the up-market style initiated by Gemelli's two years ago.  The decor is elegant, the lighting and ambience are pleasant and great attention to detail has obviously been paid.  Mariano is charming, attentive and clearly well focused on giving his customers a good experience.  The 4 waiters are all boys (looked about 14 or 15!) and are efficient, willing and eager; however, they appeared a bit nervous and tend to move too quickly.  With a bit more experience I'm sure they will relax and look more comfortable.

The menu choice is excellent and there is a large selection of Italian wines, albeit mostly rather expensive.  Whilst waiting for the first course, we were given typical Italian bread sticks, black olives and crusty bread.  The starters and main dishes were delivered promptly, elegantly presented, hot, very appetising and of sufficient quantity.  I particularly enjoyed my starter of mussels in a rich tomato and garlic sauce.  The choice of desserts from a chilled cabinet which one gets up to browse all looked delicious and the two we tried were superb.

The only minor complaint we had was that the limoncello was not served chilled, as it always is in Italy.  When I mentioned this to Mariano, he graciously waived the cost of these.  Incidentally the measure was rather small.

All in all it was an extremely pleasant dining experience and we will definitely return!  Prices are on the high side but not unreasonable for an establishment of this style and quality.  If one wants something a bit special in a classy setting, this is the place to go in Usk.  Given that Alfonso's and The Bush House have both closed, Mariano's should do well and certainly deserves to do so.  Highly recommended!

This time for a starter we had fried monkfish with a spicy Thai sauce followed by fillet steak in a pepper sauce.  As usual, the meat was extremely tender and delicious, though a larger portion would have been very welcome.  However a substantial dish of sauté potatoes and onions ensured we didn't go hungry!  A home-made apple pie finished off another very enjoyable meal.  As always, we had a 1 litre bottle of red house wine which is very drinkable.

The only criticism was the price: £71.45 was not cheap by any means.  However, we couldn't fault the meal at all!

EDITOR COMMENT: ALFONSO'S HAS SINCE CEASED TRADING - A REAL PITY!

NB  The 3-course £10 menu is unfortunately no longer available; some of the dishes on the à la carte menu are rather expensive.