My dining partner and I decided on Cafe Verona in Carrickfergus, a small restaurant slightly out of the centre of town.

On arriving I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of people in the restaurant, a good omen for a small eatery competing with the more well- known restaurants in the town centre.

On entering the waitress let us choose our own seat, following us immediately with menus and taking our drinks order.

The menu was impressive and so full that both myself and my partner had trouble choosing dishes.

After some deliberation my dining partner decided to try the mussels to start. I was less adventurous and went for a portion of garlic bread.

A short time later the two starters arrived, both more than adequate in size. The mussels, which could also be ordered as a main course, came in a tomato and basil sauce.

Having never tried them before my dining partner assured me they were cooked to perfection. My garlic bread was equally pleasing. I was served four large slices of ciabatta bread, drizzled in garlic butter.

For a main course my dining partner chose a steak with pepper sauce and chips. I opted for a pizza topped with ham, mushrooms and onion.

The pizza was prepared and cooked at the front of the restaurant, which meant I could see it being made.

Being prepared in two different areas the two meals were timed exactly and arrived together.

The steak was cooked exactly as my dining partner had asked, medium, and came with plenty of pepper sauce and chips. I however had underestimated the size of my meal and two slices in, although delicious, I knew I would never eat the entire pizza. The side portion of chips proved the only disappointment, tasting as if they had just been reheated.

The meal was topped of with a beautiful fruit pavlova, a perfect size to share.

Overall our dining experience at Cafe Verona was a good one. The setting and service was excellent and the food, aside from the chips, could not be faulted.

We headed home happy thinking we had definitely found a hidden gem and with the rest of my pizza boxed up for breakfast.