IF you stopped me in the street and insisted on taking me for a meal in Weymouth, then Enzo on the Esplanade is where I’d want to go.

A connoisseur of Italian food would no doubt point out that there are classics like beef carpaccio or such others missing from the full-time menu but owner Enzo Piscopo has clearly chosen dishes his customers want.

And I love the sense of occasion you get every time you go to Enzo.

There’s no ordering at the bar nonsense or being served by bored, clock-watching teenagers.

The service makes the night feel more special and going by the large groups of young women dining, the Italian waiters seem to have a certain appeal.

On the night we went we had not booked and it looked full when we arrived so I thought we would be sent away disappointed.

But within seconds they had fitted us into the downstairs dining room at a quiet table.

For starters the prosciutto ham and melon was mouth wateringly refreshing and the bruschetta Napoletana – toasted bread with tomatoes, basil and garlic – was also as tasty as I remember it being on the Amalfi Coast.

As a main course there are so many things I could’ve picked including one of the risottos, steaks or chicken dishes.

But the pizza Fiorentina caught my eye with spinach and an egg on top and after adding my extra Parma ham topping I soon finished off what is my favourite pizza.

The lasagne was another winner and evidently the child’s and adults’ spaghetti bolognese are not to be ignored judging by the reaction.

It’s a shame Enzo’s Piccante pepperoni pizza is spicy as children often want that on their pizza but thankfully it was not too hot for the 10-year-old with us and they removed peppers from the order as requested.

By the time we had squeezed in the gorgeous tiramisu with cream and fresh strawberries, ice cream and tia maria coffee we were ready for a stroll home along the seafront basking in the glow of a lovely meal and another of the great evenings we always seem to have at Enzo.

• This is an independent review by a reporter without the cooperation of the establishment.

The Bill

Prosciutto melone: £6.95

Bruschette Napoletana: £3.30

Spaghetti Bolognese (kids):£4.95

Spaghetti Bolognese: £7.95

Pizza Piccante: £8.50

Pizza Fiorentina: £8.95

Extra topping: £1.50

Lasagne Al Forno: £8.95

Tiramasu al Fragola x 2: £9.90

Gelati Misti: £4.20

Peroni x 2: £6.60

Italian Merlot bottle: £14.50

Liqueur coffee: £4.95

Caffe Latte: £2.20

Cappuccino: £2.00

Apple juice: £1.80

Lemonade: £1.80

TOTAL: £99