Battlefield Rest

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £7.90 (set lunch)
   £14 (evening meal)
• House wine: £10.90 per bottle

• Hitlisted
• High point: Welcoming atmosphere
• Low point: Seems a little cramped when busy
• Food served: Mon-Sat 10am-10pm. Closed Sun
• Open since: 1994
• Also offers: Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

The Rest started out life as a busy tram station and, after winning a battle against demolition in the 1990s, was born again as one of the Southside's best-loved Italian restaurants. The busy intersection on which it sits belies a relaxed warmth and character inside that ensures this is a popular spot, even on usually quiet week nights. The varied starter menu includes satisfying sweet potato frittatas topped with pecorino cheese and salty Parma ham, given extra bite by a tangy red onion and orange preserve. Affable staff deliver an array of thin-based, generously topped pizzas and a good choice of quality pasta dishes. The house rigatoni is laden with bacon, courgette, fresh tasting tomato and coriander - served with a thick slice of fiery chilli bread. The specials board makes the most of seasonal ingredients and there's a healthy option section on the menu for those watching their waistlines. Those who are not can choose from desserts including a range of liqueur-laced sundaes or freshly made crêpes filled with warm apples and raisins, complemented by ice-cream with just a hint of honeycomb.