Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto. – Eat well, laugh often, love much.

Getting the girls together is a delight in itself, being a successful (and busy) small business owner it's often difficult to take time out to enjoy a bite to eat and a tipple or two with company! I am sure this is a scenario that most of you reading will echo.

But it's important to take time out, kick back and soak up some great company, food and fizz - and wow did Vivido Italian Restaurant in Harrogate deliver!

The sun shining through the large conservatory frontage gave you the feeling you are on a Mediterranean holiday and the relaxed atmosphere welcomes you with open arms.

Girls just want to have fun

(L-R) Sally Roberts, Fun Training for Results - Victoria Turner, The Harrogate Girl, Harrogate Live - Sarah Johnston, Homes4Harrogate - Jo Maltby - Handpicked Local, #wetherbyhour, Harrogate Live and Ardi, Owner at Vivido

Italian Flare

Vivido promotes a spirited and contemporary restaurant, celebrating life as well as the fantastic cuisine of Italy and that's exactly what you feel when dining in this eatery.

With a collection of starters recommended by our waiter for the evening, it was forks at dawn with this tasty treat. King Prawn Piri Piri served with mixed leaves and toasted ciabatta - mouth watering. The sauce, smooth, creamy and just the right amount of heat, had us all from the first bite. 

I am not a plate licker (well not in public) but this dish almost converted me...

Garlic bread always transports me back to family get together's, there was never a celebration held without this traditional morsel - but there wasn't anything small about this garlic infused deliciousness!

There wasn't any polite holding back with food that tastes this good! So we all made a pact to order our own choices for mains. Seemed like a sensible idea, until you saw what your fellow diners were eating and wanted a taste of that too!

My choice - Penne Toscanini - Penne pasta cooked with 'Nduja sauasage, black olives, tomato and red onions. Lip smackingly perfect!

Other selections included Pollo alla Crema - Pizza Latina (without the rocket) and Branzio alla Grilla.

The silence at the table was only interrupted by the hmmmms of delicious satisfaction.

OK, so I'm heading into naughty territory - the puddings! If you are on a diet look away now...

Your mouth is watering already isn't it!

You know what, I was going to tell you how Vivido's Tiramisu was the best I have ever tasted - how every bite was heaven and that if my dining guests hadn't been such prolific networkers and renowned on social platforms (and have their mobile phones out taking pictures) I would have ordered more... but I am not going to do that. Why? Because it's all mine!

If you haven't paid a visit to this Harrogate gem then you are missing out, in abundance! With their Early Bird (￡14.95 for two course and a glass of wine/soft drink and Kid's Eat Free on Sunday's special offers, it's great on your pocket too) Click here to find out more.

Harrogate may bring the magic, but Vivido certainly adds that Italian flare.