Dolci Cafe, tucked behind a shopping centre in Craighall Park, is an unassuming little breakfast and lunch place, but it has quite a pedigree. Husband-and-wife team Clayton and Jackie Righi-Boyd started it after returning from Italy, where Jackie learnt the ropes in a pastry shop.Her mother is Luciana Righi, the force behind top Joburg restaurants Assaggi, Il Tartufo and Amarcord. Jackie's brother is Giancarlo Pironi, who now plies his cooking skills in Cape Town.So Dolci Cafe feels pleasantly like a family restaurant, with Jackie supervising the kitchen and Clayton making sure you feel as well looked after as possible.The menu is typically Italian - particularly from the Emilia-Romagna region and the Po River valley, which has rich soil and produces the wheat and grain for much of Italy's pasta's and breads.DELECTABLE: Freshly baked pastriesFrom the starters or small meals section of the menu we had the meat and cheese platter (R140 for two) from a list that includes salmon carpaccio and melanzane parmigiana.Clayton explains that, although the restaurant is predominantly Italian, they have tried to give it a European feel with a nod to the English country garden outside and a French Provincial atmosphere inside. The platter includes salami and prosciutto from Italy, but has French gorgonzola and Dutch gouda too.There is a varied pasta menu, from which we're served a penne con zucchini with anchovy and chilli (R85), which is light, simple and delicious - and Clayton says they'll soon be making their own pasta.The mains menu consists of typically Italian dishes and a range of hamburgers. We had tagliata di manzo - sliced fillet steak served with potato wedges and cooked Italian tomatoes. It was as soft as butter, expertly flavoured with herbs and cooked perfectly.Dessert should be picked from the freshly baked pastries on display in the fridge and it all goes down well with a dinky bottle of imported Prosecco.Need to knowHOW MUCHPastas are between R80 and R85. Mains, between R75 and R120.WHO TO TAKEFriends for a Prosecco-fuelled lunch.DRINKGreat coffee after the bubbles.DON'TArrive for dinner. They're open for breakfast and lunch, but can do special prearranged events in the evening.DOBook a table for high tea.ADDRESSShop 6, Lancaster Village, corner Clarence and Lancaster avenues, 082-683-8243MIMOSA SUNDAZEJoin the bubbly brunch crew this Sunday at Dolci Cafe for a three-course meal with Veuve Clicquot. Sunglass Hut is offering a R20000 prize to a lucky ticket holder. Book at mimosasundaze.nutickets.co.za/2982ALSO IN THE AREAGILESBustling pub with fare like the Grandma Burger and homemade pot pies.9 Grafton Road, Craighall Park, 011-442-4056CNR CAFE & BISTROPizzas, pastas, burgers, hot dogs and more.Corner Buckingham and Rothesay avenues, Craighall Park, 087-550-4873..