WEYMOUTH does tend to enjoy a bit more sunshine than most other towns in the UK but describing it as a Mediterranean climate would be stretching it.

Good news then that when the sun isn’t shining the town’s inhabitants who are dodging the rain on a gloomy day can at least get a taste of the Med at a fine little eatery in the centre of town.

A shame though that our dishes at Rossini’s came with a little more Mediterranean salt than we would have liked.

This would be my only complaint though following an evening of great company in lovely, cosy surroundings and, on the whole, good food.

On arrival at Rossini’s I was delighted to find they had space – on previous impromptu visits I have found the restaurant crowded and no chance of a table, a positive sign.

My companion and I were directed upstairs to a warmly-lit room with terracotta walls, bamboo chairs and tables in desperate need of tablecloths.

And, oh no! Julio Iglesias singing the classics on the stereo. I can see what they’re trying to do here, with the Mediterranean feel and all that, but it’s not for me personally.

The staff were friendly and attentive and gave us plenty of time to study the menu and make our choices.

We took light starters as we didn’t want to ruin the main dishes and were thankful as the portions for the mains were very generous.

My companion selected the Cazadore de Cerdo, pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon, braised in red wine, onions, red peppers and tomato with vegetables and a choice of potatoes or chips. She said it was flavoursome but was lost in an over-salted taste, and pointed out the pork was slightly dry but tender.

She said she always judged a place by its vegetables and that they were ‘very nice’.

My roasted Mediterranean vegetables and chick peas in a tomato and basil sauce served with couscous drizzled with harisa was fine. Again there was a little more salt than I would have liked and I think there could have been more vegetables although there was plenty of couscous.

There were other super choices on the menu, although a not a great deal of variety for a vegetarian – I understand the kitchen is trialling lots of new recipes so I hope some more exciting non-meat dishes can be dreamt up.

I hope to return soon to Weymouth’s own taste of the Med.

n Rossini’s, 43 Maiden Street, Weymouth. Telephone 01305 789406. Website: rossinisrestaurant weymouth.co.uk

The bill

Mixed olives: £3.50

Garlic mushrooms: £5.25

Cazadore de Cerdo: £12.55

Mediterranean Vegetables: £9.95

Bottle Bantry Bay Chenin Blanc: £15.35

Total: £46.60