When the weather is as chilly as it has been of late, the thought of tucking into a limp- looking sandwich at lunchtime may leave you similarly cold. So what better way to keep out the biting winds and incessant drizzling rain than to find somewhere warm, welcoming and cosy to hide in and tuck into some delicious hot home-cooked food?

Locals in Lyndhurst are pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to finding somewhere good to eat, and one of the town's most popular pubs also houses a superb Italian restaurant.

We visited Il Cervo 2 at The Stag Hotel on a dreary Wednesday lunchtime, keen to try out the food which had been so highly recommended to us. We were welcomed by a friendly and attentive waitress, who led us to our table and fetched us some drinks while we perused the menus.

Decorated in warm teracotta tones and offset by dark wood panelling, the restaurant is a decent size, making it excellent for larger parties of visitors, although there are areas ideal for intimate diners, who can enjoy their meal in a more secluded spot, hidden away behind pretty stained glass panels.

Although not yet feeling Christmassy enough to dive in and order from the special festive menu, we were very impressed by the delicious-sounding array of seasonal goodies. Available up until Christmas Eve, diners pay just £16.95 for a three-course meal which includes such delightful-sounding dishes as chicken breast stuffed with ricotta served with bacon and spinach sauce, parsnip and parmesan soup, and chocolate and orange bavarois.

Of course, if your Christmas celebration isn't quite the same without turkey, fear not, for the menu also includes a traditional roast turkey option served with all the trimmings.

Even though we only had just over an hour, my friend and I each decided to have a starter and main course from the regular menu, simply because they sounded too good to miss. Choosing Tortellini in Brodo and Bresaola salad with rocket and Parmesan to start, followed by Paulino and Napoletana pizzas, we enjoyed a glass of Chardonnay as we waited just a few moments for out first course.

Impressed by the speed of service, we tucked into our starters, which were delicious. The miniature meat- filled tortellini were cooked to perfection and served in a tasty consomm, while my salad was a exciting mixture of tastes and textures, mixed with plenty of cured meat, hand-shaven strips of Parmesan and a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing.

Our pizzas were equally good. Cooked in the authentic Italian way, the thin and crisply baked bases were finished with a generous amount of fresh toppings and were just the thing to keep out the mid- week chill.

Excellent value at £30 for the two of us with wine and two soft drinks, Il Cervo 2 is a must for lovers of truly authentic Italian fayre, and we will definitely be making our way back there for another festive visit.

Reservations 023 80 28 2106.