IT has often struck me that restaurants opening only in the evening or perhaps over lunchtime have grossly under-used facilities. But not one venue in York.

Many readers tell us about the Ristoranti Bara. "Go there for coffee" they say. Mid-morning this eating spot was bustling. However, there was not a pizza nor pasta in sight (or aroma!). Each place had its own large table mat. For us, the Grand Canal and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Memories of our summer holiday were quickly rekindled.

We had hardly reached our table before 'Il Mio Ospite' was at our side, order pad in hand. Was this indicative that we were to be rushed through our snack?

Told there was every variety of coffee, hot chocolate and tea, each with a doughnut, that was it!

So for Ann it was a steaming hot chocolate which had her enthusing from the first sip. My pot of tea yielded two cups and was equally satisfying. But where were the doughnuts? Other customers seemed to be eating away merrily. Our first inquiry was greeted with a shrug. There were obviously language difficulties!

Second time around we were told the doughnuts would be freshly cooked and strictly in the sequence they were ordered. Now we understood the rules we hadn't much longer to wait.

From time-to-time we buy doughnuts from well-known high street bakers, but none compare with the ones we were about to eat. Extremely hot, obviously just out of the fat, yet not greasy, they were delicious. We found the best way to eat them was with a teaspoon. All this for £1.50 per head.

I sneaked a look at the meal menu. Main courses were outside our budget but for a snack I suppose you could just have a starter. Bruschetta (Italian garlic toast with tomatoes and anchovies) £2.95 and Crespelle con pollo e prosciutto (pancake baked with a filling of chicken, spalla ham, mushrooms and a rich cheese sauce) £4.95 were just two of the items on the 'specials today'.

Although people were beginning to order an early lunch by the time we left we did not feel that we were being rushed out.

This is a warm, friendly venue. One step up from street level the toilets are on the ground floor. However, tables are close-set so getting a wheelchair in could be a bit tricky.

Updated: 17:36 Friday, November 28, 2003