In our opinion, Emilia-Romagna cuisine is one of the best things one should try in this lifetime, along with enjoying the food experience in a family-owned trattoria in Trastevere. We say this, because Thessaloniki, where the food standards are generally very high, falls short on Italian food.

Still, for almost a decade now, Alexis Petalidis and chef Giannis Goutas own an Italian ristorante in town that would stand up to the highest expectations, if it were to be magically transferred to Tuscany, Kapri, Positano or Trieste. The culinary experience starts with the amazing handmade bread that is prepared from fresh pizza dough. We dip the bread in the virgin olive oil of the refreshing and aromatic Insalata Caprese di Bufala made with cherry tomatoes and a dairy product with a dreamy texture and flavour that transfers us straight away to Tuscany.

The Involtini di Melanzana (eggplant rolls), along with the Trance di Lassagne al Salome, fresh lasagna rolls with smoked salmon, creamy white cheese, caviar and dill, are simply magnificent (deliciozo!).

Following the starters, here come the main dishes that sign a culinary alliance between Italy and Thessaloniki; the handmade Ravioli ai Fungi con Guancia di Vitello, i.e. ravioli with beef cheeks and porcini mushroom sauce, and the Pappardelle Rose al Barbabietole e Caprino, red pappardelle with beetroot and goat cheese. A lavish burst of flavours delights our palate and reminds us of Botticelli's Venus, when we first saw it in Uffizi, Florence.

An epic, formidable and unforgettable lemon sorbet finishes up this exquisite culinary feast in its own special way. This diamond of a restaurant is for us one of the best Italian places in Pylaia. We take a bow to the chef, arrivederci ragazzi, see you next time.

Da Leonardo Cucina Italiana, 50 Filippou Street, Pylaia, Tel. 2310 323377