Paolo’s does not serve pizzas. It’s a “proper” Italian restaurant with hot and cold antipasti, pasta courses and traditional Italian mains, including such delights as saltimbocca (literally “jumps in the mouth”, practically a tasty combination of veal escalope with proscuttio and sage).

Nicely done up inside, with lots of white paint creating a light atmosphere, the restaurant has a good selection of wine, and a varied menu with some daily specials.

Food is ok, but nothing to write home to Nonna about. Antipasti are generally good (bresaola salad, num num num); pasta courses fine - the ravioli I had last time were large and tasted homemade - but the mains all seem to be swimming in cream or butter, as are the vegetables. It all just feels slightly heavy handed - and Italian food, to my taste anyway, is best when approached lightly.

The other downer is the location: just around the corner from Park Royal Station and the vileness of motorwayesque Western Avenue. Much better to look the other way into the mock-tudor warren of the Hanger Hill garden estates, dated, but leafy. There are some tables placed outside the restaurant on hot days, but you will get some traffic noise from the main road.