This restaurant is rather new on the restaurant scene. It is owned and run by members of the Massimo family, who are living the shared dream of bringing the taste of Tuscany to Newcastle. The interior décor consists of an attractive Italian mural with pale yellow coloring. The menu consists of traditional Italian dishes that feature the freshest of ingredients. Veal in lemon and white wine sauce, tuna steak, and stuffed rabbit are all available selections.

This restaurant has a dramatic brick exterior and is situated high up above the river with great views of the famous Newcastle bridges. The chef, Tino, is well known throughout the area for delivering some of the town's best Italian food. The menu is more extensive than most Italian places, far beyond pizza and pasta (though those are here too), with dishes like iced oysters and garlic snails flambé. You can get a three-course meal for less than 10 pounds. They also have a vast list of wines. This is a great place to get away from the bar-filled hubbub, and enjoy a well prepared, relaxing meal.

The pleasant atmosphere in this stylish Italian restaurant is conducive to enjoying a great meal and conversation with good friends. International music plays softly in the background. Menu selections include Parma ham, marinated tiger prawns, and Moroccan monkfish. A wide variety of coffee and liqueurs are also available. A full-time baker makes the bread in-house, and the coffee is perked in a machine from the 1950's that was used in the movie "Goldeneye." The service here is friendly and accommodating.

This restaurant provides a sophisticated ambience with a relaxing feel. A terrace along the riverside is a great place to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. The immaculate interior is matched by the efficiency and knowledge of the staff. The extensive menu contains pasta and pizza, along with meat, poultry, and some very interesting fish dishes, including sea bass, monkfish, and salmon. A room is available for large parties. SUBWAY: Gateshead

This is a chic looking restaurant with colorful purple columns and ultra modern furnishings. It serves Italian cuisine with none of the typical old-fashioned Italian restaurant trappings. It looks like the inside of a ship, complete with portholes. The menu includes all the steak, fish, and pasta favorites. The glimmering chrome kitchen is visible from the dining room. Large groups can be accommodated and prices are affordable. SUBWAY: Monument/Central Station