One of the things that always made me look wistfully back to my east coast roots was the absence of family run Italian restaurants where everyone knows your name. When I lived there, you could pop in and find yourself immersed in friendly, if sometimes raucous, conversations with lots of vino and comfort foods which remind you of your childhood, be they pizza by the slice, sausage and peppers sandwiches or cannolis.

Well, recently I happened to stumble upon Calvanico’s Italian Eatery in Highland and immediately knew my culinary ship had come in. You’re greeted with a smile by one of owner Paula’s four daughters and a hearty “Buon Giorno” from the kitchen by Paula. Wine is served in water glasses and you can bring your own wine in without paying a corkage fee.