LAST summer the popular French Le Cassoulet restaurant was closed by its owners Tony and Cheryl Castaldo, after they decided to revamp the place in an attempt to give it a more relaxed atmosphere and to switch to Italian food.

Having visited Le Cassoulet in its final days, I was eagerly looking forward to eating at da Castaldo at 5 Romilly Crescent, Canton, Cardiff to see how things had changed, and I wasn't disappointed.

I paid a visit on a busy Saturday night with my partner and we were made to feel immediately at home by Tony and Cheryl and their friendly staff.

There was a mixture of ages and of groups and couples in an informal and pleasant ambience.

The food was very good. To start, my partner chose the Cape Sante alla Venezia, pan fried scallops in a brandy and white wine sauce infused with garlic, lemon juice and parsley at £6.

I chose a pasta as a starter, Ravioli al Ragu di Maiale - fresh ravioli served with a pork ragu at £5.50.

For the main course, my partner chose the Pesce del Giorno, the fish of the day being halibut, at £12.95, while I picked the excellent Filetto al Pepe, beef medallions served in a rich glaze of brandy, red wine and peppercorns served with roasted potatoes and vegetables of the day, £13.95.

My partner had tiramisu for dessert, £3.95, while I settled for a gin and tonic. At the end of a thoroughly enjoyable evening the bill, which also included a bottle of white wine and drinks, came to £64.85. Iwan Davies