Alexandra Ristorante Italiano - Ramsgate

Overlooking Ramsgate's picturesque harbour, Alexandra Ristorante Italiano has been loyally serving its customers for almost 25 years but now a remarkable change has taken place. Moving with the times the restaurant has been given a thorough makeover but still comes complete with the same friendly atmosphere for which it is so well known. The cuisine has likewise been brought into the 21st century so, gone is the salad bar and lengthy menu and here is modern Italian cooking with up to the minute ideas.

The new short menu offers amazing value. Open the slate with bruschetta topped with pickled and marinated wild mushrooms, pecorino, chilli and thyme or "Maria's amazing spring salad", pea shoots, blood orange and balsamic vinegar with buffalo mozzarella. Main courses pick up the contemporary theme as in tagliatelle with wild garlic leafy pesto or chicken breast, pan fried in olive oil brushed with rosemary and served over fresh spinach. The kitchen still gives a nod to its die-hard classics like Luciano's pizza, his minestrone and famous tiramisu while other desserts are lively ideas such as Italian meringue with ice cream and berries topped with mascarpone.

The mainly-Italian wine list is a well-annotated assortment of good-value regional bottles which are fairly priced and eminently drinkable.